MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young

A concert held in 2010 to celebrate Neil Young's contribution to the music industry and philanthropic efforts. Artists include John Fogerty, Keith Urban, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, Elton John, Norah Jones, Elvis Costello, Wilco, Ben Harper, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp and Crosby, Still and Nash.

Great list of musicians and singers, great songs (obviously), auspicious occasion for a legend of the music industry, yet surprisingly flat. Many of the songs just felt off and energyless. Maybe it was the song-artist combination, maybe it was the fact that many of the artists tried to do their own interpretations of the songs, maybe it was the fact that none of them were Neil Young. There was also a subduedness to the whole thing, as if nobody really wanted to rock out and everybody was content to just do folky songs / folky versions.

Overall: okay but disappointing.

The curmudgeonly Neil Young can be a difficult customer to deal with. Highly praised by fellow musicians and a loyal fan base he is a recipient for this tribute concert which also raises money for the MusiCares charity which is there for musicians who have fallen on hard times.

Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, Keith Urban and others sing some of Young's greatest hits. His old muckers Crosby Stills & Nash also pop up.

The concert starts off with a cracking version of Rockin in the free world, a sweet version of Heart of Gold by James Taylor.

Young pops up at the end to thank the musicians and you feel he is rather overawed by the praise. It is definitely a want to watch for Neil Young fans.