Of all the versions of this Neil Young song which have been
recorded I enjoy this one the most. It probably has more to do with the
interaction of long time partners Gillian Welch and David Rawlings than
anything else. The song itself is beautiful; full of imagery recounting the
last days of the Indian Wars. I never have figured out the Marlon Brando verse
and its relationship to the rest of the song, but somehow it all works out.
David Welch is one of the most underrated of guitarists.
When you watch him you’ll notice that he uses his hip to steady his 1935 National guitar
while he performs, particularly when playing lead. His whole body is inside of
each note. And, that fret board is like a second home; while his ears picks up
on any key changes, his fingers following instinctively.
For her part, Gillian Welch is one of the most gifted
vocalists of her genre. Her haunting voice can bring new scope and meaning to
anything she sings. Together the two are among my favorite musical performers. I think it has to do with the intimacy between
the two, which spills out unintentionally and becomes part of the performance.
Music is a force, just as love is. And when you love the
music you perform; and the person you are performing with; you can take that
music to new heights. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings prove that point time
and time again.
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