Rusties, I wish you all a wonderful 2004, Rust-wise and otherwise.
What a great ride 2003 has been, probably the most innaresting and
fascinating Neil year in loads of time. The great new songs, the Tonight's
the night-alike controversy over the new material, the accoustic and
electric shows, the stuff on the website... I think this year has made it
crystal clear to us why we love Neil Young.
For me the highlight probably was the Los Olivos show with CPR and Neil, my
two favourite acts on one stage, as part of our holiday States-side.
Un-for-get-ta-ble. Sitting in the grass, surrounded by Rusties, in
essentially someone's back yard, phenomenal weather, great music, sun
setting while Neil's playing... Also unforgettable were the accoustic shows
in Europe. I saw four of them, and it's difficult to point out which one ws
the best. Given the surprises in the set list it would probably be Antwerp,
where Neil surprised us with Tell me why. But on the other hand, Danger
bird on piano in Frankfurt, Winterlong on twelve string in Paris... And in
Amsterdam I was dead center 2nd row and was mesmerized by Neil's intense
look and the two subsequent days I ran entirely on the energy that I had
caught coming from the stage. Meeting a gazillion people with the same
mindset in every city, and knowing everyone on the entire front row in
Antwerp (not sure exactly what that tells me). The immense Rust
contingents, everywhere but particularly in Paris. Experiencing Rusted
hospitality in Brussels and in Newport Beach. Help in buying tickets for
the Statesside shows, Rustfests, "spare" aftershows passes for Los Olivos,
for finding the camping gear we needed. Thanks to unknown tapers and
traders for their great material. Thanks to everyone who contributes
anything to this Neil community, like by having websites (hyperrust,
neilcovers, sugar mountain, trees.hempsall, numbers on the site, ...),
discussion material on the list, writing for or publishing Broken Arrow,
listening carefully to other people's opinions and respecting them... Also
thanks to my fellow Crew members for the great fun we have on our little
list, the great discussions and the support for non-Rust related things.
And thanks to Roel in particular for being my road trip buddy and my
partner in crime in countless rusted projects. Rusties are the best. And
thanks to my better half for putting up with me and accompanying me to the
Los Olivos show (and the Grand Canyon and other parks weren't too bad either).
Music-wise it wasn't only Neil for me, I also witnessed great concerts by
Joe Jackson, Jackson Browne, Golden Earring (unplugged), Venice and several
classical concerts. Perhaps the most revealing of it all was a friend of
mine from South Africa called Jo Martin, who played his first
out-of-South-Africa gigs this year and whom I managed to get gigs on Dutch
national radio and local TV stations. This guy's great!
Have a great 2004 all!
Cheers,
Joost, I am a child
