Neil Young and the Restless
The New York Fire Department delayed the first of Neil Young's six shows at the United Palace Theatre, in Washington Heights, by about 90 minutes. But it ended up being a scorcher anyway. Built in 1929 as one of movie baron Marcus Loews five "Wonder" theaters, the United Palace's elaborate detail work reflects "ancient pagan glories," according to a contemporary advertisement.
The 3,300-seat theater is best known as the home of Rev. Ike, to whom Young dedicated "The Believer," a song from his latest album, "Chrome Dreams II." Just like these church bells ringing," he sang, "I'm keeping my faith in you." The reverend, formally known as Dr. Frederick Eikernenkoetter, bought the theater in 1969 during a showing of "2001: A Space Odyssey," as Young noted after performing "Sad Movies," an unreleased song.
The night was like that. Even though Young has performed virtually the same set each night of his tour, which concludes with these shows, he made it seem tailored to the room and audience. Canceling wife Pegi Young's solo set in the interest of time, Neil settled among a circle of fine acoustic instruments for an 11-song solo acoustic set. It began with "From Hank to Hendrix" and included such relative obscurities as "Ambulance Blues" and "A Man Needs a Maid" as well as perennials like "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold."
Young brought the heat during an electric second set focusing on material from "Chrome Dreams II." He has a genius for musically illuminating the warm, safe places that shelter us from cold, dark nights. And his hearth blazed hottest during his electric set's closing song, "No Hidden Path," which he rendered in more than 10 minutes of electric thunder and lightning. Combining that number with the equally turbulent "Like a Hurricane" (the evening's final encore), Young again proved himself a guitar-punishing force of nature. Young had earlier suggested putting the evening's inconveniences behind us, and then paused before adding, "unless I happen to burst into flame." I'd say he came thisclose.