Neil Young + Promise Of The Real - "Noise & Flowers", a new live sensation

Neil Young and the California­ based country-rock band Prom­ise of the Real collaborated on the 2017 studio album The Visitor. This album chronicles the June-July 2019 European tour on which Young performed with Promise of the Real. The lineup for the shows was Young (guitars/vocals), Lukas Nelson (guitars/vocals), Micah Nelson (keyboards/guitars/vocals), Anthony Logerfo (drums), Corey McCormick (bass/vocals) and Tato Melgar (percussion). Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson are brothers and are the sons of country-music legend Willie Nelson. The album is dedicated to Elliot Roberts, Young’s long­time manager and friend, who passed away shortly before the 2019 European tour.

Noise & Flowers is something of a hybrid of Young’s Har­vest sound and the feedback- drenched glory of some of Young’s recordings with Crazy Horse. A heavy version of “Mr. Soul” kicks off the album in style, with a strong vocal by Young, nice backing vocals by the band and impressive guitar work during the guitar break. 

The stellar guitar playing continues on “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”, which received a great reaction from the crowd. 

The poignant and lovely “Helpless” features Young on acoustic guitar and harmonica. The band’s back­ing vocals mesh perfectly with Young’s lead vocal on the song. 

That wonderful synergy between Young and Promise of the Real carries on in the countrified “Field of Opportunity”.

“Alabama”, a heavier countri­fied song with electric guitars, features nice piano work and tight playing by the band. 

The incendiary rocker “Throw Your Hatred Down” is one of the highlights of the album. Young’s lead vocal shimmers and the band provides rock-solid back­ing. 

The 10-minute version of “Rockin’ in the Free World” is jaw dropping, and it features a few false endings. It’s another standout on the album.

The beautiful “From Hank To Hendrix” is genuinely moving and received quite an ovation from the crowd. 

Young got the audience involved during the performance of “On the Beach” when he sings “I need a crowd of people”, and the fans cheer. 

The outstanding “Winterlong” is another album highlight with Young and the band reaching new heights. 

The album closer, “Fuckin’ Up”, features a feed­back-heavy opening, tremen­dous vocals and some fantastic guitar work.