Neil Young

The long, strange, utterly memorable trip Neil Young has navigated since Buffalo Springfield in the mid-'60s has had more tangents than a graduate course in trigonometry. But his core formula has been an unwavering willingness to follow his muse where it will lead while refusing to compromise his intensity, whether delivering a blistering critique of Dubya on Living with War or cranking up his electric guitar for squalling infernos not one iota less furious than they were 35 years ago. His new Chrome Dreams II (Reprise) is characteristically eclectic, with gentle country-folk tunes, a vintage doo-wop-tinged ballad, and even a kids' chorus juxtaposed with raging rockers, including the 18-minute epic "Ordinary People," which fits in seamlessly even though it was recorded in 1988(!). His current tour will feature old running mates Ralph Molina on drums, bassist Rick Rosas, and Ben Keith on pedal steel and dobro. There'll be a solo set and one with the band, focused on the new stuff, an assortment of obscurities, and highlights from Young's jam-packed catalogue of nuggets, anything from "The Loner" to "Helpless" to "Cortez the Killer." Young's wife, Pegi, will perform an opening set with material from her eponymous debut, an amiable mix of country-rock-flavored originals and covers she released over the summer.
Thu., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., 2007