Last month at the South by Southwest Music Conference, we watched SXSW boss Roland Swenson ask Neil Young for a favour. Recalling the way Young's song Ohio -- written in the wake of the Kent State shootings -- galvanized the nation in the '70s and helped turn the tide of public sentiment against the Vietnam War, Swenson urged the famed songwriter to put in his two cents about the current administration and its current war. "Mr. Young," Swenson said, "we need another song."
Looks like he got his wish.
According to Internet reports, Young has just recorded a song called Impeach the President as part of a new, politically charged protest album due out shortly.
Apparently, the album was recorded in just a few days with a 100-voice choir, according to a California singer named Alicia Morgan who took part in the session.
"I'm not going to give the whole thing away, but the first line of one of the songs was 'Let's impeach the president for lyin!' " Morgan wrote on her online blog. "Turns out the whole thing is a classic, beautiful protest record. The session was like being at a 12-hour peace rally. Every time new lyrics would come up on the screen, there were cheers, tears and applause. It was a spiritual experience. I can't believe my good fortune at being a part of this.
"We finished the session by singing an a cappella version of America the Beautiful and there was not a dry eye in the house. Neil said it should be out in six to eight weeks."
Harp magazine also reported on its website this week that filmmaker Jonathan Demme -- who directed Young's recent concert movie Heart of Gold -- confirmed the story in an e-mail.
"Neil just finished writing and recording -- with no warning -- a new album called Living With the War," Demme told Harp. "It all happened in three days ... It is a brilliant electric assault, accompanied by a 100-voice choir, on Bush and the war in Iraq ... Truly mind-blowing. Will be in stores soon."
After listening to Young speak at SXSW, we're not surprised. During his keynote interview, the former Winnipegger confessed he had been hearing giant, noisy guitars in his head lately, and that his next album was likely to be a rock record. And he explained that when inspiration hits, he clears the decks and drops whatever he's doing to capture the sound and the mood before it vanishes, comparing his muse to an animal he's trying to coax out of a hole.
Somewhere, we suspect Roland Swenson is smiling. And if recent rumours that Young will finally return to Winnipeg this summer on a CSNY reunion tour pan out, plenty of Winnipeggers will be smiling too.
George Bush? Not so much.
