NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS

(director: Jonathan Demme; cinematographer: Declan Quinn; editor: Glenn Allen; music: Neil Young; cast: Neil Young; Runtime: 87; MPAA Rating: PG; producer: Jonathan Demme/Elliot Rabinowitz; Shakey Pictures/Sony; 2011)

“It’s an essential Neil Young concert film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Jonathan Demme (“The Truth About Charlie”/”Beloved”) helms a great straightforward Neil Young concert film. Neil Young’s fancy guitar skills, his unique cracked voice and his openness is showcased. The Canadian-born iconic singer visits his hometown of Omemee, in North Ontario, and takes us on a tour of his childhood stomping grounds while recalling some colorful tales from his youth. Neil then travels in his 1956 Ford Crown Victoria behind his brother’s black Cadillac and goes on the scenic country road to Toronto’s Massey Hall, where he will perform. He will sing a mix of old classics mostly dating from either 1970 or the new ones from his 2010 album Le Noise. The songs include the following: Peaceful Valley Boulevard, Ohio, Down By The River, Sign of Love, Rumbling, Love and War, Leia, After the Gold Rush, I Believe in You, Hey Hey, My My, You Never Call, Hitchhiker and Walk With Me. The songs are played during the drive, so we get a mix of playful road talk and no-nonsense concert footage.

Journeys was shot on the last two nights of Young’s 2011 solo world tour. It’s an essential Neil Young concert film.

REVIEWED ON 8/9/2017 GRADE: A    https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/