Legendary folk singer resorted to whistles he recorded during walks to compose his latest album, World Record
who accompanies Neil Young, most likely, knows that we are talking about someone who prides himself on being old-school. The 77-year-old singer maintains a number of surprising habits for today, including skipping music streaming platforms to listen to his favorite albums the old-fashioned way, on vinyl records.
One of them directly references your mobile phone. In an interview with the magazine uncut (via guitar.com), the artist revealed that he still has a flip cell phone – the kind you can fold – and it was this device that allowed him to record the musical ideas he had during walks to enjoy in world recordhis most recent album with the band Crazy Horsemade available in November 2022.
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“I walked a lot in the woods, in the snow, through the Rocky Mountains, and I was always whistling as I walked. Eventually I realized that every day I was whistling a different tune. I started recording the whistle as I walked. On this flip phone, the one I’m talking to you on right now.”
The whistle recordings were archived until Neil felt the urge to use them. Considering he released an album, barnin December 2021, it didn’t take that long before he resumed the material.
“I was like, ‘Well, I wouldn’t mind trying to make another record.’ I thought it would be cool to see the guys in the band and play some songs. But I really didn’t have many songs. Then I remembered that I had whistled all these melodies on my phone, so I got on the computer and started adding words.”
Young’s walks inspired not only the melodies of the new songs, but the lyrics as well. “In a period of about two days, I wrote all the lyrics. I haven’t changed a word.”
Neil Young and World Record
World Record is available on all digital platforms, with the exception of Spotify. Neil Young withdrew its entire catalog in protest of the platform’s permissiveness regarding content considered misleading, especially during the pandemic and with emphasis on the podcast of Joe Rogan.
The music video for one of the songs, “Break the Chain”, can be seen below.
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
