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Neil Young — Four Strong Winds
Album: Comes a Time
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2150









Released: 1978
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Think I'll go out to Alberta
Weather's good there in the fall
I got some friends that I could go to working for
Still I wish you'd change your mind
If I ask you one more time
But we've been through this a hundred times or more

Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change come what may
If the good times are all gone
Then I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way

If I get there before the snow flies
And if things are looking good
You can meet me if I send you down the fare
But by then it would be winter
Not too much for you to do
And those winds sure can blow cold way out there

Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change come what may
The good times are all gone
So I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way

Still I wish you'd change your mind
If I ask you one more time
But we've been through that a hundred times or more

Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change come what may
If the good times are all gone
Then I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way
Comments (180)add comment
Love it! Love it!  Brings back so many memories of that time. 
 MildGeorge wrote:



Ian Tyson's original is sooo much better. Why no Ian and Sylvia, for the required Canadian content?



Or more Joe Rogan
 MildGeorge wrote:

Neil takes a great cowboy song and turns it into a whine




Ian Tyson's original is sooo much better. Why no Ian and Sylvia, for the required Canadian content?
Great to hear NY again today on RP - I've come to conclusion the muliple tracks is becasue NY's not on Spotify!  Don't stop - anything from NY or even CSN&Y's good.
Neil takes a great cowboy song and turns it into a whine
 moodfood wrote:

beautiful song from a very good album that I'm happy to say I still have. I miss Nicolette Larson.



Yeah, I miss Nicolette too. The best female songstress ever from Montana (and there have been some good ones). I'd be great to hear some cuts from her solo album on RP!
 nmcvaugh wrote:

Neil Young's Tangled up in Blue.  10.


Great ear and match.  And a wonderful song by any comparison or measure.  
Neil with Nicolette Larson 1985

Cold winter morning, Neil warming my early morning- raising from 8-9.
Great homage to Ian & Sylvia and the perfect end to this album which like everything Neil does is a mix of great songs, experiments and dreck.
Definitely one of my favorites from Neil Young. With regards from Munich.
 idiot_wind wrote:

One of his most under-rated albums.  It's a very good album...start to end. 

He was in a transition period, I think. 


took years to find out one of my favorite Neil Young tunes is a tribute (didn't buy the album right away) and always thought it was an "I am in love with Nicolette Larson" album
Thank Neil. We har busy pal! 🦋🦋🦋
 westslope wrote:
This is nice.  The original is better.
 
Never heard the original, so ignorance is bliss. 
The First Neil album I bought, actually it was an 8 track.  Just let it play
 mathieu.robert2990 wrote:
I can't bear country music... Neil Young being the exception confirming the rule 
 
"bear country music"? Any kind of bear in particular? 
 Andybob wrote:
This song, especially Ian & Sylvia's original version, evokes Canada better than any other. A true, timeless classic beautifully covered by an expat.
 
This is Young's tribute to Ian Tyson, who undoubtedly was an early influence on his music.  It is a timeless classic and Neil performs it superbly, with that beautiful Stray Gators peddle steel so prominent in the background.
He and Nicollete do a nice job of harmonizing on this entire album. 
I love Neil's soulful voice no matter what anyone says.
Gave it a 9 because i love this song
 Rockit9 wrote:
Prevailing, Zephyr, Trade & Westerlies.
 
Sirocco.   
I can't bear country music... Neil Young being the exception confirming the rule 
 Andybob wrote:
This song, especially Ian & Sylvia's original version, evokes Canada better than any other. A true, timeless classic beautifully covered by an expat.
 
I wish that RP would play their original version, too.
Neil Young's Tangled up in Blue.  10.
When this came out it was another classic like Harvest or Gold Rush.
There is a great video add called Travel Alberta (remember to breathe).
 idiot_wind wrote:
One of his best albums, but it never got the recognition.

And you got Nicollete Larson singing back-up...like Linda R did on a previous album (After Gold Rush, or Harvest?). 

 
 
Linda and James Taylor sang backup together on the song Harvest and, much later, Harvest Moon amongst others.
 casey1024 wrote:
I love Neil Young.
 

And Neil loves you :)
 Spiderwoman wrote:
Comes A Time album. I was kid-dancing to this once upon a time.
 

Yes, yes. My older sister brought it home from college. I was 12. I absolutely loved this album, and subsequently became a huge Neil Young fan, an am to this day (In spite of the Daryl Hannah debacle). A really nice song, really good album.
 turtle49 wrote:
Who is the female vocalist on this one?
 
Nicolette Larson

Check out Song's for Judy, new release of 1976 tour in US. 
Not bad, but I still like the original by Ian and Sylvia Tyson.  I'll still give it a 7.
One of his most under-rated albums.  It's a very good album...start to end. 

He was in a transition period, I think. 
Prevailing, Zephyr, Trade & Westerlies.
{#Cry}
Comes A Time album. I was kid-dancing to this once upon a time.
 TerryS wrote:

Agreed.

Neil's version is pretty much note for note, but still doesn't approach the original.

Quote:

This folk classic has been recorded by many artists including Neil YoungSarah McLachlanHank SnowThe SeekersJudy Collinsthe Chad Mitchell TrioBob DylanMarianne FaithfullThe SearchersJohn DenverThe Brothers FourThe Kingston TrioTrini LopezWaylon JenningsChad and JeremyThe Wolfe TonesThe Tragically HipJoan BaezVanity FareGlenn Yarborough,Tony RiceJohnny CashThe Carter Family, and Schooner Fare. It was a hit by Bobby Bare in 1964. It was also a big hit in Norway in 1966 in a Norwegian version: "Mot ukjent sted" by The Vanguards and a big hit in Sweden in 1967 in a Swedish version: "Mot okänt land" recorded by The Hep Stars.

 

Wish I had never given the first edition away.



 
lovely song
Thanks for this TerryS!!!
9

I would give 10 to the Ian & Sylvia original. 
 turtle49 wrote:
Who is the female vocalist on this one?

 
And you got Nicollete Larson singing back-up...
I keep hearing Ringo's "Photograph" in that guitar ...
Who is the female vocalist on this one?
I love Neil Young.
This song, especially Ian & Sylvia's original version, evokes Canada better than any other. A true, timeless classic beautifully covered by an expat.
Nice lullaby.
Automatically give Neil a 8, no matter. This is a good s{#Cheesygrin}ong from a very fine album. Again unpegged. Welcome back!
Neil, I like your music, really … but this one … omg, this is soooo cheesy!
One of his best albums, but it never got the recognition.

And you got Nicollete Larson singing back-up...like Linda R did on a previous album (After Gold Rush, or Harvest?). 

 
Better than the other versions —> 4
I've always loved this song, but his performance of it with his wife singing Nicolette Larson's part at the Toronto SARS concert a few years ago will always be what I think of when I hear it. It was touching to see them perform together as a team like that. Sad that they are divorcing but I guess that's life.

 

Ian and Sylvia-?  Gordon Lightfoot-?

Oh well...


beautiful song from a very good album that I'm happy to say I still have. I miss Nicolette Larson.
Haven't heard this in ages! So nice. Also, very interesting discussions.
 
... I've no crystal ball but I don't think Neil will be around Alberta for a while. Concert was sold out and he was given very little press coverage. That all aside - terrific to hear him do his thing. Sing it Neil.

Agreed.

Neil's version is pretty much note for note, but still doesn't approach the original.

Quote:

This folk classic has been recorded by many artists including Neil YoungSarah McLachlanHank SnowThe SeekersJudy Collinsthe Chad Mitchell TrioBob DylanMarianne FaithfullThe SearchersJohn DenverThe Brothers FourThe Kingston TrioTrini LopezWaylon JenningsChad and JeremyThe Wolfe TonesThe Tragically HipJoan BaezVanity FareGlenn Yarborough,Tony RiceJohnny CashThe Carter Family, and Schooner Fare. It was a hit by Bobby Bare in 1964. It was also a big hit in Norway in 1966 in a Norwegian version: "Mot ukjent sted" by The Vanguards and a big hit in Sweden in 1967 in a Swedish version: "Mot okänt land" recorded by The Hep Stars.

 

Wish I had never given the first edition away.


This is nice.  The original is better.
Hail to the PSD button!
This does not suck as bad as other Neil Young stuff, maybe because he did not write it. I'll give it a 4
I wish Bill would play the Ian and Sylvia original.  Much more beautiful.
This one's a beauty. The live version from the Heart of Gold movie is even better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP9UjLeLN5A
 laozilover wrote:
God I love this song!  So plangent!  8-> 9 {#Sorry}
 
Good morning class, today's word is "plangent":

plangent |ˈplanjənt|
adjective, chiefly poetic/literary
(of a sound) loud, reverberating, and often melancholy.

Thanks laozilover, I'm gonna use that one!  ; )
 Stingray wrote:
Another comment from the little high horse of Nottingham.

"A singer of limited range" ? Sorry...? Since when "the range" of a rock-singer is even a category?

<>
========================================================================

Quote "L.R. Freddy"  "Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice)."

Question:Is there not the little word "is" missing, at the end of this sentence?  I mean - not that I'm British - just asking...

 
Geez...

Firstly:  No, "is" is not missing from fredriley's sentence.  Consider the sentence "You like RP less than I."  You could add "do" at the end, or omit it — either is grammatically correct. Also, further up, your own "is" should be moved from before "even a category" to after "Since when."  (But assuming English is not your first language, or you went to public schools, you are forgiven.)

Secondly, and far more importantly: fredriley's original comment was very typical for him — a mix of subjective and objective stuff, but the difference easily discerned.  A singer's "range" usually refers to the difference between their lowest (pitch) and highest notes.  Roy Orbison, for example, had a large range.  Or maybe fredriley was referring to the "dramatic range" of singing style.  Robert Plant comes to mind as not limited in style.  Pretty sure that one of those is what fredriley meant by "range."  What did you think he meant?  Anyway, as a long-time Neil Young fan, I may not agree with fredriley about the cheese-wire thing, but I concede that he is right about the range thing.  It's an observation of something technical, probably measurable.  Fredriley was not on his high horse so much as showing a little erudition.  You were showing a lot of something else.  Have a little respect, dude.

I ignore 99% of your comments, but I couldn't let this one go.  I'm a 1%-er!


 fredriley wrote:

No, Neil Young is a singer of limited range and songwriter of massive ability and deserved fame. There are no gods (and if there are, they're highly capricious and evil and destructive). Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice). Keep your hair on and quit judging folk based on your subjective musical tastes.

Personally, I have a lot of respect for yer man's songwriting and love covers of his work, but his voice goes through my brain like cheesewire and is an auto-mute.

 

Another comment from the little high horse of Nottingham.

"A singer of limited range" ? Sorry...? Since when "the range" of a rock-singer is even a category?

Reminds me of the rebel-yell of "rocking" tenors - with an unlimited range.

Guess that's the music for Paps "limited range" Freddy! 

 

========================================================================

Quote "L.R. Freddy"  

"Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice)."


Question:

Is there not the little word "is" missing, at the end of this sentence?  I mean - not that I'm British - just asking...


4 strong winds - aha!

How many members in Crazy Horse...?




Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Americana (2012)

Personnel:
Neil Young – vocals, guitar
Billy Talbot – bass, vocals
Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals

Additional personnel:
Dan Greco – orchestral cymbals, tambourine
Americana Choir - vocals
Pegi Young – vocals on "This Land is Your Land"
Stephen Stills – vocals on "This Land is Your Land"





Takes me back to some old times that were both joyful and sad in parting.
God I love this song!  So plangent!  8-> 9 {#Sorry}
Oh, my!  I was just JUST sitting down to start the Neil-fest that will culminate at the show at Red Rocks this fine and august day, and — well, The Universe is even more in synch than synching would imply...
Superb, and the groove is building mightily already...Thanks, RP! 
Sorry Fred.   I lost my hair after reading a lot of hateful posts with vomitory emoticons.
Always love how you turn a phrase and appreciate your sensibility.
 
fredriley wrote:

No, Neil Young is a singer of limited range and songwriter of massive ability and deserved fame. There are no gods (and if there are, they're highly capricious and evil and destructive). Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice). Keep your hair on and quit judging folk based on your subjective musical tastes.

Personally, I have a lot of respect for yer man's songwriting and love covers of his work, but his voice goes through my brain like cheesewire and is an auto-mute.

 


Does anyone have the original version of this song by Ian & Sylvia (Tyson) they can upload?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_%26_Sylvia

Neil
What a wonderful voice, never grated on my ears
 fredriley wrote:

No, Neil Young is a singer of limited range and songwriter of massive ability and deserved fame. There are no gods (and if there are, they're highly capricious and evil and destructive). Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice). Keep your hair on and quit judging folk based on your subjective musical tastes.

Personally, I have a lot of respect for yer man's songwriting and love covers of his work, but his voice goes through my brain like cheesewire and is an auto-mute.

 

DING!

CORRECT!!!

Neil Young - Four Strong Winds, Live-acoustic

Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young in concert 2005 Canada.

Notable Instruments, during the career of N. Young:

1953
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. Nicknamed "Old Black",
Martin D-45. His primary steel-string acoustic guitar,
Martin D-28. Nicknamed "Hank" after its previous owner,
Hank Williams. Hank Williams, Jr.,
Vintage Martin D-18,
Languedoc G2,
Vagabond Travel Guitar, used for "Let's Impeach the President" on
The Colbert Report,
Taylor 855 12-string, used in the first half of Rust Never Sleeps,
1927
Gibson Mastertone, a six-string banjo tuned like a guitar, used on many recordings and played by James Taylor on "Old Man.",
Gretsch 6120 (Chet Atkins model),
Gretsch White Falcon,This particular White Falcon is the stereo 6137, in which the signal from the three bass strings is separated from the signal from the three treble strings,The separation of the signals is most prominently heard on the Harvest song "Words.",
Gibson Flying V,
Fender Broadcaster, on the Tonight's the Night album and tour.



Love this song.  So sweet and sad.  The list of performers on this album listed below is a virtual Who's Who of music.
 calypsus_1 wrote:

"Four Strong Winds" is a song written by Ian Tyson in the early 1960s. It was first recorded by The Brothers Four in a version that "Bubbled Under" the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963. Subsequently, it was recorded by Ian and Sylvia on an album of the same name released in April, 1964, reflecting the Canadian chart success of the song in 1963.

The song is a melancholy reflection on a failing romantic relationship. The singer expresses a desire for a possible reunion in the future ("You could meet me if I sent you down the fare") but acknowledges the likelihood that the relationship is over ("But our good times are all gone/And I'm bound for moving on...").

This folk classic has been recorded by many artists including Neil Young on his 1978 album Comes a Time (Young also performed the song with The Band at the famous The Last Waltz concert.   wikipedia

Personnel in studio-album:

  • Neil Young - guitar, harmonica, vocals, production
  • Frank Sampedro - guitar, vocals
  • Billy Talbot - bass, vocals
  • Ralph Molina - drums, vocals
  • Tim Mulligan - saxophone
  • Nicolette Larson - harmony vocals
  • Ben Keith - steel guitar
  • Karl Himmel - drums
  • Tim Drummond - bass
  • Spooner Oldham - piano
  • Rufus Thibodeaux - fiddle
  • Joe Osborn - bass
  • Larrie Londin - drums
  • J. J. Cale - electric guitar
  • Farrel Morris - percussion
  • Rita Fey - autoharp
  • Grant Boatwright, John Christopher, Jerry Shook, Vic Jordan, Steve Gibson, Dale Sellers, Ray Edenton - acoustic guitars
  • Shelly Kurland, Stephanie Woolf, Marvin Chantry, Roy Christensen, Gary Vanosdale, Carl Goroditzby, George Binkley, Steve Smith, Larry Harvin, Larry Lasson, Carol Walker, Rebecca Lynch, Virginia Ghristensen, Maryanna Harvin, George Kosmola, Martha Mccrory, Chuck Cochran - strings
  • Ben Keith - production (except on tracks 3, 4 and 8)
  • Tim Mulligan - production (except on track 7)
  • David Briggs - production (on tracks 3 and 4)
  • Tim Mulligan, Michael Laskow, David McKinley, Danny Hilly, Mike Porter, Denny Purcell, Rich "Hoss" Adler, Ernie Winfrey, Gabby Garcia, Paul Kaminsky - engineering
  • Elliot Roberts - direction
  • Tom Wilkes - art direction
  • Coley Coleman - photography


  No wonder my music doesn't sound as good.....not enough people working on the album.


Excellent tune! {#Cool}
Some very Harrisonic 12-string guitar in there.

I am afraid I must join the band of people who cannot stand his voice.
 lemmoth wrote:
To all the haters out their - Neil is a god, and most people who know music know it, so enjoy your limited appreciation of music.
 
No, Neil Young is a singer of limited range and songwriter of massive ability and deserved fame. There are no gods (and if there are, they're highly capricious and evil and destructive). Liking Neil Young is not a litmus test of music appreciation, no more than liking Mozart or Beethoven or Bob Dylan (insert classic of choice). Keep your hair on and quit judging folk based on your subjective musical tastes.

Personally, I have a lot of respect for yer man's songwriting and love covers of his work, but his voice goes through my brain like cheesewire and is an auto-mute.

Love it!

"Four Strong Winds" is a song written by Ian Tyson in the early 1960s. It was first recorded by The Brothers Four in a version that "Bubbled Under" the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963. Subsequently, it was recorded by Ian and Sylvia on an album of the same name released in April, 1964, reflecting the Canadian chart success of the song in 1963.

The song is a melancholy reflection on a failing romantic relationship. The singer expresses a desire for a possible reunion in the future ("You could meet me if I sent you down the fare") but acknowledges the likelihood that the relationship is over ("But our good times are all gone/And I'm bound for moving on...").

This folk classic has been recorded by many artists including Neil Young on his 1978 album Comes a Time (Young also performed the song with The Band at the famous The Last Waltz concert.   wikipedia

Personnel in studio-album:

  • Neil Young - guitar, harmonica, vocals, production
  • Frank Sampedro - guitar, vocals
  • Billy Talbot - bass, vocals
  • Ralph Molina - drums, vocals
  • Tim Mulligan - saxophone
  • Nicolette Larson - harmony vocals
  • Ben Keith - steel guitar
  • Karl Himmel - drums
  • Tim Drummond - bass
  • Spooner Oldham - piano
  • Rufus Thibodeaux - fiddle
  • Joe Osborn - bass
  • Larrie Londin - drums
  • J. J. Cale - electric guitar
  • Farrel Morris - percussion
  • Rita Fey - autoharp
  • Grant Boatwright, John Christopher, Jerry Shook, Vic Jordan, Steve Gibson, Dale Sellers, Ray Edenton - acoustic guitars
  • Shelly Kurland, Stephanie Woolf, Marvin Chantry, Roy Christensen, Gary Vanosdale, Carl Goroditzby, George Binkley, Steve Smith, Larry Harvin, Larry Lasson, Carol Walker, Rebecca Lynch, Virginia Ghristensen, Maryanna Harvin, George Kosmola, Martha Mccrory, Chuck Cochran - strings
  • Ben Keith - production (except on tracks 3, 4 and 8)
  • Tim Mulligan - production (except on track 7)
  • David Briggs - production (on tracks 3 and 4)
  • Tim Mulligan, Michael Laskow, David McKinley, Danny Hilly, Mike Porter, Denny Purcell, Rich "Hoss" Adler, Ernie Winfrey, Gabby Garcia, Paul Kaminsky - engineering
  • Elliot Roberts - direction
  • Tom Wilkes - art direction
  • Coley Coleman - photography



It doesn't matter who does this song, I'll always love it.  Ian and Sylvia wrote it, Neil sings it.  It sounds better when a Canadian sings it, and....when I hear Neil sing it, I want to go live in Canada.  Thanks RP for keeping this gem alive. A 10 all the way to Alberta....

ENOUGH NEIL ALREADY.    WHAT HAPPENED TO PARADISE


 lemmoth wrote:
To all the haters out their - Neil is a god, and most people who know music know it, so enjoy your limited appreciation of music.
 
lemmoth, you the man.   ; )


carlos in good company by eastlostangeles
https://www.flickr.com/photos/17358489@N00/

(L-R) Rockers Carlos Santana, Neil Young, Keith Richards, John Fogerty & Jimmy Page performing in Hendrix tribute at seventh annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (Photo by Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Copyright All rights reserved

.

 westslope wrote:

Love Neil and this version but Ian and Sylvia's version is much better IMO.

 

Somebody, anybody, please upload Ian and Sylvia's original.


 

Self-interested bump.  Please upload Ian & Sylvia's version.

 

P.S.  Neil is a city rat.  No comparison.  And yeah, I know the foothills.

 

 



Love Neil.
To all the haters out their - Neil is a god, and most people who know music know it, so enjoy your limited appreciation of music.
I respect Emmylou immensely. I just wish she wouldn't sing. Ever.
Come on out to Alberta.  It's not as flat as you might think, a bit chilly sometimes, but we're friendly.

Neil Young by ~ratdog420
norman sands   ©2009-2010 ~ratdog420

Neil Young Allstate Arena

This photo cannot be used without permission it is copyrighted



Neil Young and Willie Nelson - Four Strong Winds, Live

"i first herd this man sing this when i was just 14, and the emotion of the song just threw me back. It stands the test of time. His talent was raw and pure, and true. so much emotion. "

{#Puke}    


Another gem out of the Neil Young treasure chest. Great interpretation of this Ian Tyson tune. I love Emmylous backup vocals and the 3908-piece  twelve -string acoustic guitar orchestra. Not to forget Rufus Thibodeaux on fiddle.

Another point: Neil has done so many beautiful records but only a few with a decent picture on the cover. I like this one very much.
 Viv515 wrote:
Ian Tyson actually did come out to Alberta! Lives on a ranch just south of Calgary.

I actually like Neil's version of the song more — could be a generational thing (I'm a 70s child, not a 60s child).
 
Not to nit-pick, but Ian was actually born in Victoria, BC and started singing in Vancouver. 
But he went on to become a rodeo rider and he's an Alberta cowboy now for sure!  {#Wink}
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Tyson

Love Neil and this version but Ian and Sylvia's version is much better IMO.

 

Somebody, anybody, please upload Ian and Sylvia's original.


 LuvWilloughby wrote:
On the studio version of this song the back-up singer was Nicolette Larsen, I believe.

 
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I just saw his video documentary "Prairie Wind" filmed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He did this song with about 10 of his back up band and singers playing acoustic guitars.
If you haven't seen this... it's a must.
Emmylou Harris sings back up with him on this one. Along with his wife.
Most excellent.

Here's a audio segment from You Tube...   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfZes9fFmXc
It's to bad they don't have the video.

 
 
Yes it is.
I was referring to the live Ryman version.

There's something about 10 acoustic guitars (and an autoharp) that sounds awesome.


On the studio version of this song the back-up singer was Nicolette Larsen, I believe.

 
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I just saw his video documentary "Prairie Wind" filmed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He did this song with about 10 of his back up band and singers playing acoustic guitars.
If you haven't seen this... it's a must.
Emmylou Harris sings back up with him on this one. Along with his wife.
Most excellent.

Here's a audio segment from You Tube...   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfZes9fFmXc
It's to bad they don't have the video.

 


I just saw his video documentary "Prairie Wind" filmed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He did this song with about 10 of his back up band and singers playing acoustic guitars.
If you haven't seen this... it's a must.
Emmylou Harris sings back up with him on this one. Along with his wife.
Most excellent.

Here's a audio segment from You Tube...   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfZes9fFmXc
It's to bad they don't have the video.

 Dave_Mack wrote:
A very Harrisonian 12-string guitar part, wouldn't ya say?  But more importantly, who's playing the autoharp?
 
Can't tell you this....but thanks for sharpening my ears, dude!

I never really noticed this gem of a song very much until I heard the rendition in the "Heart of Gold" documentary.  Now it's a strong 9/10.
A very Harrisonian 12-string guitar part, wouldn't ya say?  But more importantly, who's playing the autoharp?
Ian Tyson actually did come out to Alberta! Lives on a ranch just south of Calgary.

I actually like Neil's version of the song more — could be a generational thing (I'm a 70s child, not a 60s child).
My earworm for the past month.

 
ok
 westslope wrote:

Prefer the Ian & Sylvia version but this one is not bad.  Makes me always think of SW Alberta and the foothills.

Place.

 
I recently bought Ian and Syvlia's Greatest Hits album from iTunes and listened to them for the first time in probably 25 years. Wow were they good. Got me right THERE.  
 ejsamuel wrote:
A most solid 9. Ian and Sylvia Tyson's version is a 10. Call me a sentimentalist.

You and hundreds if not thousands of us.




Prefer the Ian & Sylvia version but this one is not bad.  Makes me always think of SW Alberta and the foothills.

Place.


I like the sloppy Neil better
Woo, i didn't realise Neil did this song. This is pretty close to Canadian bedrock musical tradition :) What a nice melange....Folk songs are meant to be sung by other folk; that's what makes them stand the test of time.
 bobby-charles wrote:
Wow. Such appreciation. I've been a devoted Neil fan for decades. But I really dislike this song. It's just one of the very few.
 
Me too. One of my favorite songwriters of all time, but this one is just so WEAK.....
Great song, great album.
Could listen to this all day...{#Daisy}
 ejsamuel wrote:
A most solid 9. Ian and Sylvia Tyson's version is a 10. Call me a sentimentalist.
 
Ditto. The remake by Ian himself on 'Cowboyography?' can't reach the I & S version either. There's something about the 196? vocal delivery that makes it untouchable.

Neil & Nicolette VS Ian & Sylvia. Both rate equal for me. A truly GREAT song.
Wow. Such appreciation. I've been a devoted Neil fan for decades. But I really dislike this song. It's just one of the very few.
The only Neil Young song I like and that isn't self-servingly political. Now if only all his work could be this good.
robadr wrote:
This would rate pretty highly as an alternate national anthem in Canada. Or maybe 'Helpless'!!? (mental image of a stadium crowd of 50 000 singing 'Helpless'...) OK, maybe not.
I vote for the former HNIC theme.
Awesome! For me, there are no other ways to describe this.
ejsamuel wrote:
A most solid 9. Ian and Sylvia Tyson's version is a 10. Call me a sentimentalist.
Nope. You're spot on.