A hard rain
fell in a rapid, spit fire pace for a spell. My friends drove all the way to Holmdell, NJ to catch a live gig. So we weren’t leaving. I had hearty friends with rock-solid taste in music back in the day.
The mighty Neil Young was touring to promote Harvest Moon back
in ’93. We all loved to blast Neil when we were rocking the back
roads in Sussex County. About half way through, he broke out the acoustic to play “Unknown Legend”. He sang it in his languid, porch song style. His voice pulls out the syllables of "She’s been running half her life.... “
He slowed his roll down to tell us about the airs he breathes. I felt the choke in my throat then I cried hot fat tears. I am not much of a tear shedder. But on this night, listening to him croon about a mysterious woman on a Harley, I lost it. I don’t think any of my inebriated compadres noticed. This is one of my all-time beloved songs. I relate to working in a diner, to having your life upended by your Dad (He died when I was 18) The loss still rides with me every day. I read somewhere he wrote it about his ex-wife, Pegi and his first wife, Sue. I never lived in a tepee like Pegi or married a rock star. I do however spend time thinking about the design of a Harley (see the photo) and open roads.
I don't normally start by gushing about another artist, but it's a Neil fucking Young's masterpiece. The Pollies, a masterful band that divides time between Muscle Schoals and Nashville, took it upon themselves to cover “Unknown Legend". The Pollies wound up together in 2012.
The band stuck to most of the script while brandishing the song with added redolent charm. Drumbeats kept perfect time with the subterranean fuzzed out guitar tones. The lead singer and guitarist extraordinaire, Jay, kept the leisurely rhythm. He doesn't have Neil's nasal tinge. He simply sings with his signature laid back languor. They did not even step on Neil’s harmonica prowess which I felt was a grand sign of respect. They did Neil proud. Yeah I cried. The Pollies are reviving road tripping music. Nonchalant tunes paying homage to a unique woman make me want to pack a small bag and hit the road.
Band Members
Band Members
Check them both out.
Comments
Post a Comment