Greendale (Bonus DVD)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Neil Young has long been one of rock's great romantics, mourning the utopian ideals of the "hippie" '60s and his vision of what America was…or at least should have been. In some ways, Greendale--which could be described as a "rock novel"--adds a mourning for humanity itself to the mix, as Young presents his vision of America 2003 via the story of a fictional family in a small California town. There's drama galore--a cop is killed by a drug dealer; Grandpa has a fatal heart attack while pointing a gun at a TV reporter--but most of these songs also work individually as terrific rock tunes. It's a more subdued Crazy Horse this time out, with only Neil on lead guitar and little of the distorted rage found on albums like Ragged Glory. But "Grandpa's Interview" has a gorgeous riff that recalls Zuma's "Don't Cry No Tears"; "Be the Rain" is a genuine Neil Young anthem about love, peace, saving the planet, and doing the right thing. A few pieces sound a tad meandering at first, which could lead one to conclude that Greendale is only a good Neil Young album. Repeated listening, however, should confirm that Greendale is a great Neil Young album. --Bill Holdship

IFC website
an epic drama in this unusual musical film written and directed by the legendary singer/songwriter.

Greendale (Bonus DVD)

Tracks:

Falling From Above
Double E
Leave The Driving
Bandit
Carmichael
Devil's Sidewalk
Grandpa's Interview
Bringin' Down Dinner
Sun Green
Be The Rain

Amazon.com

Neil Young has long been one of rock's great romantics, mourning the utopian ideals of the "hippie" '60s and his vision of what America was…or at least should have been. In some ways, Greendale--which could be described as a "rock novel"--adds a mourning for humanity itself to the mix, as Young presents his vision of America 2003 via the story of a fictional family in a small California town. There's drama galore--a cop is killed by a drug dealer; Grandpa has a fatal heart attack while pointing a gun at a TV reporter--but most of these songs also work individually as terrific rock tunes. It's a more subdued Crazy Horse this time out, with only Neil on lead guitar and little of the distorted rage found on albums like Ragged Glory. But "Grandpa's Interview" has a gorgeous riff that recalls Zuma's "Don't Cry No Tears"; "Be the Rain" is a genuine Neil Young anthem about love, peace, saving the planet, and doing the right thing. A few pieces sound a tad meandering at first, which could lead one to conclude that Greendale is only a good Neil Young album. Repeated listening, however, should confirm that Greendale is a great Neil Young album. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

Neil's Epic .......2006-05-16

Long, meandering, insightful, ponderous are just a few of the words to describe Neil Young's ambitiously successful attempt to create interconnecting songs that describe the various personalities that make up the fictional town of Greendale. As the CD progresses you will identify with the various characters that inhabit Greendale. The lyrics are vintage Neil; sometimes straightforward and sensible while there are other times they are a bit obscure. The music is a mix of slow blues songs, slow rock n roll and flat out rockin' tunes. If you even remotely like Neil Young you should give Greendale a visit. You won't regret it!

Greendale is number one with me.......2006-04-01

Years ago Rust Never Sleeps was one of my favorite albums. But after hearing several of his releases in the early eighties I gave up on Neil and what a sorry mistake that was. The local library had the Greendale CD and I borrowed it over a year ago. I liked this album from the get go, but after listening a couple times realized this was something extremely special. Concept albums from the Moody Blues (Days of Future Past), The Who (Tommy), Pink Floyd (The Wall), and Queensrych all seemed to advance the idea and art and the past efforts got better with my favorite being Operation MindCrime. When I first listened to this album's reviews on Amazon, they bashed the hell out of it. This has easily become my favorite in my collection of about 1000 cd's. I don't think any album will replace it anytime in the forseeable future. For anyone that doesn't know the album, it is a very bluesish, mild grunge album, very much in traditional Crazy Horse style. The songs on it describe a make believe town and it's people in Neils imagination, with a beautiful musical flow to it. The music is linked by the style of all the songs, a similar riff every time the devil raises his head, and the story moves along, easy enough for anyone to follow. A lot of the criticism that this album received was that the album did not mean anything and that it did not break any new ground. Well most albums by everybody else don't mean anything and new ground is rarely broke by any body elses releases. That said, Neil's use of the megaphone effect is as ground breaking as anything else ever was, maybe not so important, but groundbreaking and brilliant, and I have heard it copied in the last couple of years. I finally purchased the DVD version and am really happy with it, Neils spoken filling in of the story, also included in the liner notes, really round out the picture he paints of Greendale. The things that make this album stand out to me is the way it works as an intergrated and vividly complete story,and the strength, songmanship and craftwork of the individual songs. My possession of this album has led me to go back and checkout many of his other releases and find some great stuff I have missed. Don't let this one slip by you.

Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-02-15

Don't let anyone fool you, this album is fantastic! It is one of Neil's best in years. I bought the 1st edition with the acoustic concert as the bonus DVD, I bought the 2nd edition with the studio footage as the bonus DVD, I even bought the Greendale movie. Never once have I had second thoughts. Although the CDs in edition 1 and 2 are the same, it is the DVD that are really worth the purchase price and it is the CDs that are the bonus. I have been listening to and playing Neil Young and Crazy Horse for twenty years and I would say that the last track on the CD "Be The Rain" is unbelieveable. So buy both CDs, buy the movie, you won't regret it.

This One Just Seemed to Come Through Him.......2005-12-28

He turns John Lee Hooker on his ear and then taps you on the third eye -- idealistic and cynical, loving and brutal, quaint and sophisticated -- so many things that Neil brings together through word and song -- ultimately though, it is fearless.

This is a truly brilliant album that brings back the Rock Opera for 21st century consumption. It feels largely unedited -- like Neil just let it come through him -- and so sometimes a bit ragged -- but laserlike couplets often burst through, illuminating many aspects of our modern drama in oh such a Youngian kind of way. "No one could explain it, Just got great reviews."

A good prep is to watch the acoustic dvd with the subtitles on -- have sight at the words once so they ring through the sound again and again. This cd may be in your rotation for quite a while...

That's what I'm talking 'bout.......2005-12-23

I'm a huge NY fan, but man it's been a long time since I was excited about one of his new releases. In fact, I avoided buying or even listening to Greendale because I was afraid of being disappointed. So I was a little skeptical when I saw the movie offered for free on digital cable. But I tried it anyway, and as soon as the first song was underway, I knew that it was a winner. I couldn't stop smiling, or listening. My boyfriend exclaimed "what a stupid movie!" but he can't relate anyway. I at first wished the movie had real, trained actors in it and better film quality, but after repeated watchings it really has grown on me. It's old school Neil through and through, and if anything you gotta love it for that. Enough of the movie, the album alone is one of his best, hands down, bar none. It's about a lot of things: the allure of the darkness, the callousness of modern life, the perspective shifts between the generations, the challenges facing the environment, the corruption in our corporations and political machines, long lasting relationships and there's still some left to name I'm sure. I think history will prove that this is one of his most defining albums to date, like Nebraska was for Bruce. Best of all, finally, this one ROCKS!!

Average customer rating:

"Gotta trust someone"
unexpected treasure
Neil Young's Plastic Ono Band
never challenge your audience
Quite an album

Greendale
Neil Young
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greendale (Bonus DVD)
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Neil Young

ASIN: B0001DD8FA
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Falling from Above
Double E
Devil's Sidewalk
Leave the Driving
Carmichael
Bandit
Grandpa's Interview
Bringin' Down Dinner
Sun Green
Be the Rain

Album Description

DVD BONUS: Neil had cameras rolling when he cut the original masters for Greendale, and "Inside Greendale" shows him with Crazy Horse in the studio recording their actual takes. In the background behind the musicians are segments of the Greendale movie projected on walls and doors, and sometimes superimposed in front of them in the studio. The audio for this DVD mirrors the CD.

Customer Reviews:

"Gotta trust someone".......2007-07-14

Of all the voices born at "Woodstock" who resist corporate whoredom into the ragged, sagacious today, only Neil Young stands resolute - with (bitterer) Joni Mitchell. Not surprising Greendale is akin to Turbulent Indigo (distorted) - dangerous, disaffected, pained and proud.

Greendale's sonic template is Chuck Berry's "Bye Bye Johnny" - Poncho got pinkslipped? - with wearied hippyisms ("John Lennon said that"; "Bob Dylan said that") - and gnarly harmonica. Unambitious chords with adventurous utterances - hypnotic simple - Ledbelly stomp - John Wesley words - harrowing criminal tales - mercilessly acute - tender, imploring - pathologically obscure - On The Beach - six-string riddles and Sam Shepardesque fables.

Unhinged, modestly.

Killer (downbeat) tracks: "Devil's Sidewalk," "Leave The Driving" and "Bandit."

Sloppy.

Perfect.

And Young really needn't be so deferential towards Lennon and Dylan. He passed 'em both by - years ago.

unexpected treasure .......2007-01-12

After the body of work Mr. Young has delivered for the past 40 some years, expecting yet another dose of genius seemed unreasonable. All the same, Greendale delivers .... beautiful music, beautiful story and lyrics, always connected to the human condition in a way everyone can hear and feel, with classic heroes and antiheroes. What a piece of work, Thank you Mr. Young. Be the Rain ! from a grateful fan in Etna, PA; and his friend Little Hawk (aka little hulk)

Neil Young's Plastic Ono Band.......2006-09-06

I may be going out on a limb here, but it seems the LP is comparable to Lennon's Plastic Ono Band LP, with the raw, sparse arrangements. Notice the absence of "Poncho" on these tracks? A trio with heavy emphasis on guitar and steady, tasteful rhythm. Truly one of the ultimate Neil Young LP's, in the order of 'Tonight's the Night'. A desert island masterpiece...

never challenge your audience.......2006-06-24

one of the best things about Neil is his complete abhorrence of commercial success at the expense of his art. But he really screwed the pooch on this one. The songs drag along, some catchy and melodic, most grinding to tell a simple story. The concert tour supporting this album was abominable, with amateurish dance ensembles acting out the story like a bad fouth grade play. sorry, NY, I'm all for artistic experimentation, but this one is just bizarre and way too far a departure from wht he does best.

Quite an album.......2006-04-17

To start off, this album is different. Not different as in "experimental", but different in the approach. It's music, and it's a story, both at the same time.

I have to admit, at first I didn't think much of this album. At first I didn't really even listen to the lyrics. I simply just gave the album a first glance. If you're not following the story, this album can really drag on, be warned. The music by itself would be worthless, and the story by itself would be worthless. They're only worth anything when they're together, which is what I feel makes good songs and why I feel this album is so strong.

That's not to say that every single one of these songs isn't catchy, because they most certainly are. Each of the songs has its own feel and never fails to have me singing along. And with all this, you learn a good story/lesson about a country family in the fictional town of Greendale, who are engulfed by the media after family member "Jed" shoots a cop.

I always find myself cruising out in the country (or wanting to be, when I can't) when listening to this album. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

More Info on the box set

Greendale
Neil Young
Manufacturer: Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B0000AN10L
Release Date: 2003-09-22

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Dvd.

Customer Reviews:

More Info on the box set.......2007-05-26

This is a 3-LP box set on 200 Gram QUIEX SV-P vinyl. It includes a bonus Green Vinyl 7" single of "Sun Green," a 24-page 12"X12" booklet, Greendale Stage Bill, and a Bumper Sticker.

Average customer rating:

Postman Pat & the Greendale Dragon

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BJV12G
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Album Description

Postman Pat is a series that stands the test of time depicting the close community and unhurried pace of rural life. It is a pre-school opera, portraying a gentle world where the storylines illustrate the life of a close-knit community. Everyone works together to resolve their everyday dilemmas and the narrative of each storyline is dictated by the interaction Pat has with the various people he meets on his rounds. The weather, rural landscape and many Greendale inhabitants provide Pat with problems and adventures that he endures with a cheerful word for everyone. It is no surprise then that Postman Pat has remained popular with children for decades. The much loved Postman Pat theme tune sets the scene for each episode, whilst there is also a strong use of music throughout to add vibrancy and life to the imaginative stories. It is from the live show that we present Postman Pat & The Greendale Dragon, a fabulous ensemble of songs, fun and laughter! Little Demon.

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Postman Pat & the Greendale Dragon

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000N6UD76
Release Date: 2007-03-13

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