Neil Young debuted a new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, at this weekend’s 39th Farm Aid benefit in Saratoga Springs, New York.
All four of the group’s members — keyboardist Spooner Oldham, guitarist Micah Nelson, and the Promise of the Real rhythm section of bassist Corey McCormick and drummer Anthony LoGerfo — have toured with Young, but never before in this configuration.
Their eight-song set began with three from Young’s 1992 Harvest Moon album, which featured Oldham on keyboards — “From Hank to Hendrix,” “Harvest Moon” and “Unknown Legend.” It also included four of his 1970s songs — “Journey Through the Past,” “Heart of Gold,” “Homegrown” and “Powderfinger” — plus 2022’s “Love Earth.”
Other highlights from Saturday’s concert included a version of The Band‘s “The Weight” that closed Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds‘ set and featured lead vocals from Matthews, Nathaniel Rateliff and the brothers Micah and Lukas Nelson.
Young and the Chrome Hearts will do a pair of shows at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday, then play Young’s Painted Turtle / Bridge School benefit in Lake Hughes California on October 5th.
REUTERS PHOTO
