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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 3168
Released: June 13, 2006 |
| Our Price: $7.46 |
| Used Price: $4.26 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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| Features:
AC-3 Collector's Edition Color Dolby DTS Surround Sound DVD Special Edition Widescreen NTSC | |
Editorial Review:
Academy-award winning director Jonathan Demme beautifully captures Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend, Neil Young as he prepares and presents the performance of a lifetime with the help of his wife Peggi and friends country star Emmylou Harris, steel guitarist Ben Keith and more at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
Description of Neil Young - Heart of Gold:
"I just want to play well, share the stage with my friends, give the best I can," says Neil Young before the concert that is the centerpiece of Heart of Gold. No problem, dude. Working with filmmaker Jonathan Demme, Young has come up with a gem--not all flash and bling-bling, but as understated as a single pearl, musically restrained yet emotionally open. Of course, neither Demme (an Oscar winner for The Silence of the Lambs; he also helmed Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense) nor Young would call it "a concert film"; the director describes it as "a dream concert, something that's literally being dreamt by Neil," while the singer-songwriter himself calls it "a multi-level story." Whatever, the project came together in 2005, as Young was finishing his Prairie Wind album (the latest in a string of lovely, country-flavored acoustic recordings dating back to 1972's Harvest) and preparing to debut the music at Nashville's fabled Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry. The fact that Young had also recently experienced a brain aneurysm might or might not have influenced his decision to film the show, but it certainly seems to have had an effect on the music. He and his band (which, with the addition of horns, strings, and backup singers, including Emmylou Harris, occasionally numbers forty or more musicians) perform Prairie Wind in its entirety, and there is some deeply moving, highly personal material here; in addition to the gospel-tinged "When God Made Me" and the dirge-like "No Wonder," Young sings about his recently-deceased father (the title song), his newly adult daughter ("Here for You"), the guitar he plays that once belonged to Hank Williams ("This Old Guitar"), and even his dog ("He Was the King"). Demme's direction is ideal for conveying the music's restrained acoustic textures, rich backing vocals, and simple, elegant melodies. Shots are held much longer than is usual in such films, and while there are lots of close-ups, there are no gimmicks. This superb DVD package is filled out by a second disc of bonus features, including a variety of featurettes and a solo performance of "The Needle and the Damage Done" from The Johnny Cash Show in 1971. --Sam Graham
Neil Young - Heart of Gold Reviews:
great !! 
2009-10-09 - The first time I watched this DVD - I couldn't even leave the room, the music and the stories Neil tells are just heartwarming. A 'must have' for your music library. Great sound - filmed very well, you seem like you're in the same room as the music.
Emotionally Gripping Concert Performance 
2009-10-07 - Jonathan Demme called these performances by Neil Young a dream concert and I would agree. Filmed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (also called the mother church of American music) over two nights in 2005 Heart of Gold presents the debut performance of Young's acoustic Prarie Wind album.
Working with musicians who are more of a family than simply players the interaction between the people on stage sets this show apart from most of the recent concert documentaries I have seen. Every song is lit specially for maximum effect. The shots linger longer than the quick cuts that we have become used to and Young and the band shine on each song.
There is no denying that Young has had an influence on today's music. The thing here is that Young truly seems to enjoy his performanve and that is a great thing to behold.
The two disc set includes a six part making of feature and a narrated Rehearsal Diary that are well worth the price of admission. While there is no per se commentary track we get many comments from Demme, Young and the bad members on the importance of the project and what the music means to them.
There have been many noteworthy concert films over the last few years this one stands out as one of the best.
Get yours now!
2009-07-10 - I saw this movie on TV not long ago and wanted to own it immediately! If you are a Neil Young fan, you will watch this over and over. I even ripped the audio to MP3 so I can take it in the car or portable player.
At this amazing price I'm thinking of buying a backup copy. Saddly, I haven't had the chance to see Neil in concert so this is the next best thing! It is a wonderful mix of new and old songs that show just what a powerful song writter Neil Young is!
Country garbage 
2009-07-04 - I LOVE Neil Young music. In my wildest dreams it never occurred to me that I'd be seeing Neil do a twanged-up manure-kicker country version of the songs I adore. What a waste. I wish I could get my money back. If you're a Neil Young fan who loathes country music, then run like the wind away from this DVD. Buy Rust Never Sleeps.
Neil Young
2009-05-12 - This is one of the best music movies ever. It is flawless Neil Young
