A Trip to Nowhere.

#19 Neil Young: Everybody Knows This is Nowhere

 I don't have a clever reason for putting this album on I just want to hear it. Also, it has a dog on the cover...and Anabelle is busy being a pest so maybe some music will calm her down.

The album cover has a dog...and so do I.

"Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" is the first album that finds Neil with his new backing band Crazy Horse. The band is a simple lineup for this album but that the key to the sound. Neil of course covers vocals and guitar, but the second guitarist makes a huge difference. Danny Whitten is a name that probably doesn't make too many 'best ever guitarist' lists, but he should. Unfortunately, drugs got in the way and he couldn't even get it together for Young's next album "After the Gold Rush."Young dismissed him from the band after only a few songs were complete. He caught a plane back to L.A. and that same day at age 29, he died of an overdose, leaving behind only a small cardboard box of possessions. Later, Young would pen the song "The Needle and the Damage Done," which deals with his feelings about Whitten's death. If you can't write a song yourself about him, the second best way to remember him, is by listening to this album.

Side one begins with a solid rock song in drop-D tuning, "Cinnamon Girl." Drop-D is typically used to make a heavier sound, and it works beautifully on this song. Whitten gives the high harmony vocals and of course a good guitar track for the song.  In typical Neil Young style, the guitar solo is simple but works like a charm. Consisting of basically a D played over and over in the framework of the chord progression it somehow sounds like a lot more is going on. The song concludes with an interesting little guitar riffing that takes full advantage of the drop-D tuning and its ability to sustain an open chord. Next up is "Everybody Knows this is Nowhere," a song that seems to  be about a longing for the simple life. The album was recorded in Hollywood, California, which is pretty much the exact opposite of where Neil grew up in Omemee, Ontario. The song is a letter back home, reminiscing of how he longs for the simple life, away from the hectic pace of Southern California. At least that's what I think, I could be just making it all up. The guitar work on the song is somewhat country, with a certain twang to it which fits in nicely to the laid back rhythm. "Round and Round (It Won't Be Long)" is a slow and spacey acoustic song that features some OOOs and AHHs as performed by Robin Lane. I'm not really sure what the lyrics get into, but it sure seems sad. I think someone should go cheer up Neil...maybe a choco taco would help. The side concludes with a nine minute lesson in dueling guitars. "Down by the River" starts out slow alternately Am and Em7 chords with a nice lead guitar over it. The lyrics are simple, and brief, but very strong. A man has murdered his lover after she's unfaithful, then the sheriff arrives to arrest him. Everybody loves a good crime caper. The guitars in the song serve as the voices of the two quarreling lovers. Young and Whitten go back and forth with increasing intensity for the duration of the song and finally, when only one lead guitar remains, the song fades away as he's hauled off to jail. Anyone who wants to know how to create real emotion with an electric guitar, get a copy of this song and pay attention.

Side two begins with "The Losing End (When You're On)." No one wants to be on the losing end, and Neil is gonna tell how hard it really is.  In this case, he's pining after a lost love, which usually makes for a good song when the feeling are genuine. The song has an upbeat swing feel that is unusual considering the lyrical content, but it certainly works. Neil can make you feel good about feeling bad. The guitar work again is fantastically done, the solo fits right in with the 'desperate for her attention' theme the song looks to instill in the listener. Also, don't miss the extra shout-out to Wilson Picket (or 'pick it') right before the solo kicks in. "Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)" is a song that sounds as if something really bad has happened. The desperate yet calm vocals are quite haunting, and even before the violin joins in, you're already looking over your shoulder to see if you're alone. The violin is provided by Bobby Notkoff. The song is a lyrical confession. The singer has abandon his lover, and left her with tears in her eyes. He feels he's done her wrong and now he's confessing it to anyone who will listen and possibly offer forgiveness. Side two concludes the same way side one does, with a long dueling guitar showcase. Again Young and Whitten come together to fire bullets at each other from across the studio with the guitars and with the vocals. Neil's calls are answered by Whitten's responses, echoing every line after its delivered. The lyrics present an image of what seems to be a beautiful and forbidden woman, with Young asking her to start something sinful with him. Oh this will be trouble, but come on, its 1969, go for it. For the verses and solos the songs uses a very sinister sounding A and F chord. Together they sound very alarming and troublesome. For the chorus however, things get a little lighter...using quite a few chord changes and making everything seem alright. Don't fall for it...as soon as the chorus ends, the true colors are back again...A and F. Two chords is all it takes to create this overall mood and the solos slowly get more and more intense. The growing intensity soon turns to desperation which by the end of the song has basically gone completely mad. This is not a sane mind that's being unleashed here.  There is an explanation though. "Cowgirl in the Sand", "Down by the River" and "Cinnamon Girl" were all written by Young while he was in bed with a 103 degree fever. Makes a little more sense now, doesn't it?

Every guitar player has certain songs he keeps in his back pocket so when you don't feel like thinking too much, and you want play on pure emotion, stick with what you know. "Cowgirl in the Sand" and "Down by the River" are two of those songs for me. I've been listening to this album basically since birth (another of my Dad's records) and its impossible for the song not to creep into my style of play. For the guitarists out there, please, buy it...listen, learn, imitate.

Strongest Song: Down by the River
Weakest Song: not a dull moment.
Song You Know: Cinnamon Girl, its covered by just about everyone.
Why You Might Hate It: You don't like dueling guitars and interesting lyrics.
Buy It? Yes, on vinyl...find a good used copy with a little 'character.'