A Great (and Unknown) Neil Young Song: "Mr. Disappointment"

In this day of digital downloads, YouTube and music-sharing it seems the album (or "LP") has gone the way of the dinosaur. Music fans are simply scanning websites, cherry-picking their song selections and moving on to the next site before they even have a chance to listen to the tune they just downloaded. This revolutionary approach to obtaining music has replaced the days when music fans would purchase an album of typically ten to fourteen songs from a given artist and in the process uncover musical "gems" hiding somewhere in those tracks. "Mr. Disappointment", from Neil Young's 2002 release Are You Passionate? is one of these buried treasures.

Canadian Singer/Songwriter Neil Young made his initial splash with the bands Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Since setting out as a solo artist Young has made musical explorations into swing, electronic music, 50's style, and grunge (to name a few.) Young's 26th studio album Are You Passionate? represents his foray into soul music featuring Booker T and the MG's in addition to Young's band Crazy Horse. While many of the tracks are soul-inspired the tune "Mr. Disappointment" jumps off the collection as a Neil Young classic.

"Mr. Disappointment" opens with the slow 2/4 tempo ala by Bob Dylan on his recent work (i.e. "Mississippi", "Shooting Star".) This rhythmic "pocket" and groove is the perfect canvas for Neil's mellow, grunge-inspired electric guitar intro which we later learn is the melody for the song's chorus. But what is truly captivating is Young's vocal approach. Again, very reminiscent of recent Dylan as the song's verses are essentially spoken rather than sung. The opening line sets the mood and tone of the song: "Where did all the feelings go? What about that happy glow? Was that so long ago, when we were first in love? I didn't feel the change, everything was still the same. And when that moment came, I didn't know."

In the chorus Young changes from spoken-word to his trademark high, nasally, tenor singing voice and sadly sings: "I'd like to shake your hand, Disappointment. Looks like you win again, but this time might be the last..."

The song moves between verse and chorus juxtaposing the spoken-word with Young's singing and in-between lies Young's heart-breaking, Les Paul-toned guitar riffs. His guitar solo three quarters of the way into the piece is as beautiful as any solo Young has ever played.

From a songwriter's standpoint, Neil Young's "Mr. Disappointment" is among the most compelling and honest songs in Young's catalogue. However, it is Young's performance of this tune that makes it completely unforgettable. Surf on over to your favorite music website and check it out. But bring the Kleenex.

Kenn Morr http://www.kennmorr.com is an internationally acclaimed Singer/Songwriter, Performer, Producer and Author with six albums to his credit. Originally from Long Island, NY Kenn lives in the foothills of New England's Berkshire Mountains with his wife and two young sons.

Neil Young Did More Than Record Great Music

Believe it or not, grunge music had been available long before the end of the twentieth century. Most folks deem groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, clad in flannel and screaming about the wrongs of capitalism, to be grunge. Always shying away from the limelight and the corporate sponsors, grunge seemed to be the perfect cure for the former hair band years.

Did you realize that Neil Young is deemed the definitive "Godfather of Grunge"? That's correct, the same man from the old days. Young not only started Buffalo Springfield, he was an original member of what is now referred to as Crosby, Stills and Nash. Neil Young was struggling against the "Man" before Kurt Cobain knew what music was.

He was not into music for the money or fame. He was the epitome of a true sixties hippie. He made sure that he never sold out and never grew too famous.

It now seems wrong that Rolling Stone Magazine listed a Nirvana vinyl album in front of a Neil Young vinyl album in their best 100 albums of all time. Had the hero dropped below his fans? Even with the 20th anniversary of the classic Nirvana album, Nevermind, vinyl records will always rule supreme.

He was known for loathing the earliest compact discs from the beginning. He says that CD's are inadequate in sound quality and lose the intimacy between the artist and the listener. You can hear this in each Neil Young vinyl record ever done. Remember also that Neil Young has written a new album every year or so throughout his entire career. You can always be sure to find his new songs in many forms, including that of vinyl.

It is no surprise that Mr. Young is one of a few singers who have been inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame not just once, but two times. He was inducted first for his solo singing in 1995, then he was welcomed again with the group Buffalo Springfield in 1997.

There will never be another grunge hero in the history of music like Neil Young. Good luck on getting Vedder or Cobain in the Rock Hall of Fame more than once.

So, next time someone is preaching to you what a god Kurt Cobain was, try schooling them in the music of grunge. After all, Neil Young was Cobain's hero and the most influential singer that Kurt ever cited.

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