Mystic
We're all born mad
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Cal Expo Amphitheatre
Sacramento, CA
16 September 1996
One of the finest Horse shows of all time, damn they had a string of 'em in '96. This performance included one of the best versions of the ever-elusive (in the live setting) number "Danger Bird". The '90 Catalyst Club version, regarded by many to be the definitive live "Danger Bird", while very tight and far-reaching, in my opinion doesn't surpass the boundaries of reason and time the way the Sacramento 'Bird does. Yes, venue size is partly to blame, for had the band -- NY especially -- opened up @ The Catalyst as t/he/y did at Sac's Expo center, the much smaller venue would likely have burst into flames. Certainly everyone in attendance would have been deafened for days and likely sustained permanent hearing loss. Still, the raging quall of gain, feedback, and unearthly noise emanating from Old black throughout the evening's performance, but especially during "Danger Bird", is thrilling and chilling. It is also one of the few instances of a recording in wihch one actually hears Neil's vocals reproduced not merely through the vocal mic & PA, but also via his rear ("lead") pup, the old so-called Firebird mini-humbucker. A long-rumored phenomenon the thrasher what community had long ago come to accept, it is a reality during this performace, in the vocal sequence that occurs during the "Jail Bird takes the rap..." stanza.
What a summer night in Sac-Town it must have been.
Cal Expo Amphitheatre
Sacramento, CA
16 September 1996
One of the finest Horse shows of all time, damn they had a string of 'em in '96. This performance included one of the best versions of the ever-elusive (in the live setting) number "Danger Bird". The '90 Catalyst Club version, regarded by many to be the definitive live "Danger Bird", while very tight and far-reaching, in my opinion doesn't surpass the boundaries of reason and time the way the Sacramento 'Bird does. Yes, venue size is partly to blame, for had the band -- NY especially -- opened up @ The Catalyst as t/he/y did at Sac's Expo center, the much smaller venue would likely have burst into flames. Certainly everyone in attendance would have been deafened for days and likely sustained permanent hearing loss. Still, the raging quall of gain, feedback, and unearthly noise emanating from Old black throughout the evening's performance, but especially during "Danger Bird", is thrilling and chilling. It is also one of the few instances of a recording in wihch one actually hears Neil's vocals reproduced not merely through the vocal mic & PA, but also via his rear ("lead") pup, the old so-called Firebird mini-humbucker. A long-rumored phenomenon the thrasher what community had long ago come to accept, it is a reality during this performace, in the vocal sequence that occurs during the "Jail Bird takes the rap..." stanza.
What a summer night in Sac-Town it must have been.
