Search - Neil Young :: Fork In The Road

You're Missing A Day In the Life

Lightman | New York | 04/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who cares?



You should. The DVD not included in this economy version of Fork in the Road contains an amazing live performance of the venerable Sergeant Peppers song. More on that later...



As for the CD, it's pretty fabulous in and of itself.



At this point on his life journey Neil Young is out of control and utterly, absolutely, on a roll.



And no doubt about it, he's going somewhere. Every song is about something automotive, going down the road, going somewhere.



Here's some lines from each song to give you the flavor...



Cruising down route 66 where the guys and gals used to get their kicks



She's not the car that she used to be

she wants to take you and she wants to take me

into the future that's her destiny



You can drive my car

see how it rolls

feel the new energy

as it quietly goes



One day in a garage far away

he met destiny

in the form of a heavy metal Continental



It's all about my car

It's all about my girl

it's all about my world.

Cough up the bucks cough up the bucks



You know she takes a little care

She's always lookin' good

Pull over and put the top down

Check out what's under the hood



When the traffic's slow

Brake lights lined up for miles and miles

And you know the end is not in sight



Out on the freeway, it's the middle of the commute

Bumper to bumper in a giant cloud of fumes

Let's hit the road



When the light of dawn is on us , we will see what we can be

And the ancient ones can sleep an easy sleep

In the hallways of the ages on the road to history

What we do now will always be with us



Got a pot belly.

It's not too big

Get's in my way

When I'm driving my rig



And the names of the songs - Fuel Line, Get Behind the Wheel, Off the Road, Hit the Road, Fork in the Road...



Yup, we're definitely going somewhere.



All of this is delivered in a wall of sound that's tight like never before for Young and some of the best rock to come along in a long, long time. And the haunting strains of the steel guitar on Light a Candle are sure to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck every time.



All this is to say that Fork is a great piece of work by a living legend who never ceases to amaze.



Oh yeah. Back to the missing DVD and A Day in the Life. Pay the extra bucks for this one song alone. You gotta see it to believe it...



After the line "Somebody spoke and I went into a dream", Young grins impishly.



In producing the wild crescendo of sound to end the song the old codger goes berserk, tearing the strings off his battered Les Paul and grinding them against the pickups to create an otherworldly roar before stalking off the stage.



Go figure.



But first go buy."

Take a ride with Neil at the wheel.

M. A. Filippelli | Roseville, CA, US | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this road trip with Neil you will meet some interesting characters like Johnny Magic. For those Neil young fans with high expectations for this CD don't worry your expectations will be met. Like all of Neil's music these songs are deeply meaningful and emotional. These are a lot of songs here that make poignant statements and a couple to just listen to, clear your mind and enjoy the beauty of the music.



Some of the songs on this cod will remind the listener of the Reactor CD\album especially "When worlds collide", "get behind the wheel" and "Just singing a song". I can't pick a single favorite song because they are all so good. When worlds collide is a real rocker, "Fuel line" is about auto manufactures claiming to be green. "Just singing a song" and "Johnny Magic" both rockers (could this be Johnny Rotten re invented?). "Get behind the wheel" this song has a nice bluesy feel to it. "Off the road" is a slower song with a nice melody to it. "Light a candle" is the most romantic song on the cod - very nice. "Fork in the road" bluesy rock and roll (I am reminded of Steve Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble on this one).



As with all of Neil's studio recordings the music is wonderfully mastered and engineered. Neil and the people that work with him put a lot of heart and soul into this recording. I can't speak highly enough of this CD. Buy it and play it.



This is an outstanding CD but if you can afford a a few more dollars then you should get the package that includes the DVD. You won't be disappointed."

Neil at his best! A "Theme" compilation, regarding the Green

Ron Stewart | South Florida | 04/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The perfect companion for a long road trip in your car!

Appropriately named, Neil Young is indeed still "Young". In fact, just like fine wine, he just gets better with age! This is "New" Neil Young, and IT IS GOOD! This Album (CD) has a theme, and the music ROCKS! Neil is seeing the nascent changes taking place in our country and in the world. Each song in the entire album (CD) has some relationship to either the past or the "New" future, specifically related to changing from fossil fuel to new energy sources, especially battery.



In his song "Fuel Line" he mentions a B 16 battery. How many who are reading this have any idea of what is a B 16 battery? Neil has been doing his homework!



In his song "When Worlds Collide", why do you suppose he named this song with this title? A hint: "Cruising down route 66...in the old days...running low on the `PEOPLE'S' FUEL." Why do you suppose he put in the words "People's Fuel", in a song about "The old days?" Could it be he is suggesting that our fuel today is NOT the "People's Fuel"? Bob Dylan put it a little differently in his song "Slow Train Coming": "All that foreign oil controlling American soil Look around you, it's just bound to make you embarrassed. Sheiks walking around like kings, wearing fancy jewels and nose rings Deciding America's future from Amsterdam and to Paris". Slow Train Coming



In his song "Singing A Song": "Just singing a song won't change the world. You can ride in my car, see how it rolls, feel the `NEW ENERGY' as it `QUIETLY' goes. You can be what you try to say while the big wheel rolls".



In his song "Jonny Magic": "Jonny Magic": one day in a garage far away he met destiny...Then the whole world started running out of money, people losing their jobs... The heavy metal Continental, she was born to run on the `PROUD' Highway. (Notice the word "Proud" an obvious reference of what all Americans should feel about our highways)

She goes a long way on "DOMESTIC" green fuel 100 miles a gallon is the Continental rule.



In his song "Cough Up The Bucks": This is an direct statement explicitly stating that we need to "Pay" for fuel at whatever price the implicit "Supplier" of that fuel wants. It also implies, that they have complete control over us and if we want to drive, then "Cough Up The Bucks". This becomes apparent with the words "Where did all the money go?" and "It's all about my car".



In his song "Get Behind The Wheel": "She wants to `PLEASE' you, no matter `WHAT' shape you're in" (A reference to a person's finance, in my opinion). "Pull over and put the top down, CHECK WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD". (A reference to electric or other non-fossil power)



In his song "Off The Road": A much slower tempo, "...and you know the end is not in sight, you can never take your eyes off the road." I believe this is a reference to the fact that we must keep our goals in mind when "They" decide to lower the price of gas so we can go back to old habits. We have to not be fooled into believing that things are okay and give up (As T. Boon Pickens has stated. See: http://www.pickensplan.com ). PICKENS AND PLAN COME TO ALBUQUERQUE.(Local News): An article from: The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM)



In his song "Hit The Road": ...bumper to bumper in a giant cloud of fumes...trying to find the energy to stay in the groove."



In his song "Light A Candle": "Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're goin'. There's something ahead worth looking for. When the light of time is on us, we will see our moment come, and the living soul inside will carry on". My interpretation is that we should not be complaining with the high prices at the pump (cursing the darkness), but instead focus on making changes (light a candle for where we're going). Then he goes on to say that we will "See our moment come", and the living souls will carry on" which of course is self explanatory.



In his song "Fork in the Road: The words berate people receiving the "bailout money" from Uncle Sam and at the same time Neil expresses feelings about himself. "There's a bailout coming but it's not for me. It's for all those creeps watching tickers on TV. (Also, he sings, "Not for you. It's for all those creeps hiding what they do"). About how he feels about himself: "I'm not done. Not giving up. Not cashing in. ..."I'm a big rock star. My sales have tanked, but I still got you. Thanks! "



ALL RIGHT NEIL! For people like me who remember the "FEELING" of the 60's and our "IDEALS" there is a new "MOVEMENT" happening! Things are changing! We did it once, and we can do it again...and keep in mind, with age comes wisdom, so... we did great last time, and I think we will do even better THIS TIME!





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