Celebrating Neil Young From Harvest To Harvest Moon @ The Gov, Adelaide 11/9/2025

Neil Young’s influence on rock music cannot be under estimated. From pop rock with Buffalo Springfield to folk solo days, his time with the powerhouse band Crazy Horse, folk rock with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, country rock with The International Harvesters and being referred to as the grandfather of grunge, Neil has done it all and continues to do it to this day.

His musical output surpasses forty five studio albums, nearly as many live albums and of course many compilation sets. So, when a group of musicians set about playing and celebrating the music of Neil Young, where does one start?

Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Shane Nicholson (multiple ARIA and Golden Guitar winner), and Richie Lewis (Tumbleweed) are responsible for this evening’s selection of Neil Young tunes, played under the musical direction of Paul McDonald’s expertise. Add a six-piece band and you just knew it is going to be a great sound.

There was no holding back as Richie Lewis entered the stage, telling everyone this was an evening for singing and dancing, as the band kicked into Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black). The power of the music was like being hit in the back of the head by a piece of wood. Everybody knows This is Nowhere slowed things down a bit, with its country feel, but this is Crazy Horse material so the music still had an edge to it. Great backing vocals from Stephanie Duzel. A mis-start to Powderfinger saw Paul McDonald swap guitars. “My fault” he said, “Wrong guitar” but as soon as the band got into the song, all was forgiven.

Richie exited the stage and Shane Nicholson entered for an outstanding rendition of Down by the River. This song just slowly burns along, guitars slowly building to the chorus. “It’s a bit worrying, playing this one tonight” commented Shane in reference to an assignation in the U.S. overnight. “It’s still happening”. Ohio was full of anger and wrath and yes, the song is still appropriate today. Rounding out Shane’s first appearance on stage was “the first Neil Young song I ever played in public”, Comes a Time. A country song at heart with some nice harmonica playing raising the level of quality of the song, from Shane.

Shane retired to the Green Room, the band following him except for Brad Christmas on piano and Stephnie Duzel. A beautiful rendition of After the Gold Rush, from the album of the same name, was played, Stephanie’s vocals fitting nicely to the piano playing of Brad. With band back on stage, Stephanie sang Only Love Can Break Your Heart from the same album. A moving experience indeed.

Jeff Martin walked on stage to a rousing reception. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked. “I hope I don’t disappoint”. He sat on a stool with acoustic guitar and told of highs and lows of the rock business. The lows naturally were the musicians “chasing the dragon” with needles. Jeff admitted he is scared of needles so hasn’t followed that scene. A solo The Needle and the Damage Done followed, Jeff’s powerful voice filling the room. The audience was quiet as a mouse. I doubt I have ever heard it so quiet in The Gov when an artist was playing. And all credit to Adelaide; The Gov was full. Even the two guys behind me, who had been talking all evening, shut up.

With the band back, Set One concluded with Helpless, Jeff changing to electric guitar and Stephanie supplying great backing vocals.

Set Two followed a similar approach, revolving vocalist, in the same order. Things slowed down for Richie Lewis with renditions of Unknown Legend and Old Man, complete with audience sing-a-long on the latter, starting the set. But then things turned wild and amps were turned to eleven. Fuckin’ Up was wild, Richie throwing himself all round the stage, arms flailing everywhere. It was loud, there was distortion and feedback, but above everything, it was magnificent.

Shane Nicholson came on stage for Tonight’s the Night. This dark song started in low key, Shane channelling Neil’s voice stunningly. But in a way Neil has probably never played this song, it became ferocious and vicious. I certainly have never heard it played this way. A smouldering Cortez the Killer was played with a single spotlight on Shane’s guitar during the middle solo. No reprise as Like a Hurricane flowed out of the speakers straight after, the song climbing to an explosive conclusion with all guitars (and there were five on stage) trying to outdo each other.

Jeff Martin returned for Heart of Gold, sans guitar, but armed with a tambourine. “Sometimes you have to put the guitar down and do your best Liam Gallagher impersonation” he quipped. Jeff’s voice was perfectly suited to the song. Keeping things low key, Stefanie Duzel continued the show with Pocahontas and Jeff returned for a quiet Harvest Moon.

Then it was time to crank it up. The whole band fired up for a cutting rendition of Cinnamon Girl, Jeff taking the lead vocals. The entire band had smiles on their faces.

Encore was naturally, Rockin’ in the Free World and for the first and only time of the evening, all three singers on stage at one time. Jeff took the first verse before donning a guitar to add to the fury happening on stage. Shane took the second verse and Richie the third. The song is as relevant today as when Neil first released it in 1989. A great song to finish a great evening.

This was more than a tribute show. It highlighted the influence of Neil Young’s music while celebrating the impact he has had on so many musicians and fans. The three singers were brilliant and the band behind them impeccable. Let’s hope they do it again next year with a completely different track selection. As we know, Neil has certainly released enough songs to do this for the next ten years.

Live Review by Geoff Jenke