Neil Young
Cortez the Killer-A Live Compilation, Vol.3
Cortez the Killer
Written by: Neil Young
From the Album: Zuma, Decade, Live Rust, Weld
Times played: 465
First performance: 1976-03-03, Aichken Taiikukan, Nagoya, Japan
Last performance: 2010-09-28, Saenger Theatre, Pensacola, Florida, USA
Shows recorded: 434
Shows not recorded: 28
First recording: 1976-03-03, Aichken Taiikukan, Nagoya, Japan
Last recording: 2010-09-28, Saenger Theatre, Pensacola, Florida, USA
(from www.sugarmtn.org)

"[The] 1953 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. Nicknamed "Old Black," this is Young's primary electric guitar and is featured on Rust Never Sleeps and other albums. Old Black got its name from an amateur paintjob applied to the originally gold body of the instrument, sometime before Neil acquired the guitar in the late 1960s. In 1972, a mini humbucker pickup from a Gibson Firebird was installed in the lead/treble position. This pickup, severely microphonic, is considered a crucial component of Neil's sound." (from wiki)

I tried to take a slightly different tack with this 3rd CTK compilation: each performance presents the song in a unique, slightly offbeat manner. Opening in Albany on May 18, 2010, the first night of the Twisted Road tour, Neil stunned with this nearly a cappella version. Spare and haunting, this performance is powerful by its very simplicity. The 1986 Minneapolis performance features a blistering Frank Sampedro rhythm guitar-check out the closing reggae coda where he doubletimes the rhythm. By contrast, the 2008 Amsterdam performance is a tribute to Ben Keith’s rhythm guitar work; listen for the changes in rhythm and pace. It’s almost as if Neil’s playing for Ben rather than the other way around. And then, listen to the vocals-the phrasing is completely different, almost as if Neil’s composing lyrics on the spot. The Bridge School Benefit on October 31, 1999 features a solo acoustic (12 string?) CTK with that gorgeous harmonica. The first of a two-night 1978 stand showcasing the incredible sonics of the LA Forum, this October 23rd performance features those classic harmonics that define a CTK guitar solo. Back to the 1995 Bridge Benefit with Crazy Horse this time-Neil and that band can handle just about anything, electrified or not. The August 25, 1995 Pukkelpop performance with Pearl Jam is a complete sonic meltdown. Gotta love that false ending that finally explodes in a fury of guitars, keyboards, and drums:it’s thrilling when Neil goes to that place. We end in Miami on February 6, 1983, where Neil performed Cortez publicly as a solo acoustic piece for the first time. This was a show I attended yet never knew how historic it was until the invention of the internet and Tom’s fantastic Neil database, sugarmtn.org.

This is absotively, posolutely the last Cortez comp. Although it’s been a blast, I’ve got better things to do with my time.

Now. On to the Freebird compilation!

I compiled these performances for my personal enjoyment, and share them for the same reason. I urge you to seek out the original performances (they’re all available somewhere). Thank you so much to the original tapers and uploaders. And, of course, thanks, Neil.

Enjoy, 1chucho

Neil Young
Cortez the Killer-A Live Compilation, Vol.3

Lineage: All recordings obtained from DIME > WAV > CD-R > FLAC (8) > DIME
Notes on Sound Quality: All Audience Recordings, the SQ is Excellent throughout except*
*SQ is Fair
Convert to lossy for personal use only
NOT FOR SALE-SHARE FREELY
Please support this artist-purchase official recordings, attend his/her performances regularly, and visit the websites.
www.neilyoung.com
www.thrasherswheat.org
www.sugarmtn.org

1. Albany, 2010-05-18
2. Minneapolis, 1986-10-17
3. Amsterdam, 2008-02-17
4. Mountainview, 1999-10-31
5. Los Angeles, 1978-10-23
6. Mountainview, 1995-10-28
7. Hasselt, 1995-08-25
8. Miami, 1983-02-06*