Neil Young can adopt many styles and most people are probably used to see him rocking out on DVD's such as "Live Rust" or "Weld".

However, "Heart of Gold" (directed by Jonathan Demme) is a good opportunity to see Neil Young in one of his more mellow guises. That said, Young's performance still doesn't lack anything in sheer emotion.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4203 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-11-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 99 minutes

DVD Description
Heart of Gold is Jonathan Demme’s intimate musical portrait of legendary singer / songwriter Neil Young, filmed on the occasion of the world premier of Young’s "Prairie Wind" concert at Nashville’s hallowed Ryman Auditorium last summer. Young’s music provides an emotionally rich view into this unique artists relationship to family, friends, mortality and the passage of time. Young is accompanied onstage by many long time musical companions, including country star Emmylou Harris, Neil’s wife Pegi Young and bandleader / steel guitarist Ben Keith.

DISC 1 "HEART OF GOLD" Video The feature concert film. "STORIES" Video A collection of Neil Young’s spoken introductions that were deleted from the film, including "Old King," the story of his beloved dog. "HE WAS THE KING" Video Features the sequence of the deleted song, "He Was The King." DISC 2 "THE PRAIRIE WIND DIARIES" Video This verité documentary follows the Nashville film project from early preparations up to the final two-night performance with exclusive behind-the scenes footage. "FELLOW TRAVELERS" Video A conversation with Jonathan Demme and Neil Young on their friendship and artistic collaboration resulting in the production of "Heart of Gold" (may include b-roll, film clips and still photos). "NASHVILLE CRUISE" Video A ride-along interview through the streets of Nashville with Neil Young on the first day of the performance (includes b-roll of production and Nashville). "FINISHING TOUCHES" Video A verité segment captured within the New York sound facility as Neil Young and Jonathan Demme complete work on the final audio mix for "Heart of Gold." "FIRST TIME" **TBD** Video An excerpt or the entire clip from Neil Young’s early performance in Nashville of "Mama Don’t Allow" on THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW. "FARM AID" video As a social and environmental activist, Neil Young brings the plight of farmers to the forefront as one of the founders of Farm Aid. Excerpts from backstage at this year’s event will be included.

Synopsis
Director Jonathan Demme (STOP MAKING SENSE) pays tribute to folk-rock legend Neil Young in this riveting docu-concert. Filmed at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, HEART OF GOLD offers an intimate portrait of this unique artist through his music and insights on family, friends, mortality, and the passage of time. The film is split into two acts; the former featuring songs from 2005's PRAIRIE WIND album, the latter drawing on four decades worth of hits, where he's joined onstage by long-time musical collaborators including country star Emmylou Harris and steel guitarist Ben Keith. For Demme--already a huge fan of the singer-songwriter--making this film was a labour of love, as he explains it, 'the marriage of music on film is just as thrilling as filmmaking can get for me'.

---

Customer Reviews

NEIL YOUNG heart of gold
I kept waiting for this DVD to come out in Britain,it seemed an age but now it's here and you always wonder if it's as good as some say it is !
It is and more,this is classic Neil Young at thr Ryman in Nashville
playing a concert of his wonderful songs.Based on the album Prairie Wind,
but lots of his classic songs in there as well his fabulous band,wife Pegi
along with Emmylou Harris on backing vocals.What we get is an evening of
pure NY gold.The songs all so beautifully crafted,excellent clear sound and
picture quality.Sure I'm a huge NY fan but this is very special,and it
seems an almost intimate gig though it's not,it's just a shame it had to end,
but hey it's a DVD so play it again and again. BEST DVD OF 2006 without
doubt,go on order your copy now!

I'm not a huge Neil Young fan but......
Although I recall buying Neil Young's albums 'Harvest' and 'After The Gold Rush' back in the 'seventies I still would'nt be his biggest fan.I bought this dvd on a whim after seeing it reduced on Amazon....and I am bowled over by it.
Recorded in Nashville its a gorgeous blend of easy going ballads and out and out rockers.Young is supported by Emmylou Harris and his wife Pegi and many other fine musicians.Its a showcase recording for his 'Prairie Wind' album but there are also reminders of the 'old' days.I particularly liked the superb 'Old Man' and the rocking 'Heart Of Gold'.'Needle And The Damage...' also gets an excellent airing.
Yes....I'm not a huge Neil Young fan but I still love beautiful music played with feeling by excellent musicians.
Now, where are those two old classic albums I know I keep somewhere?...

Brilliant, intimate concert film
A superb, specially recorded concert film by Jonathan Demme. Heart Of Gold features Neil Young and the band of old friends with whom he recorded his recent Prairie Road album as well as a sparingly used gospel choir and small string and brass sections.

The first half of the concert film features pretty much all of the recent LP - pleasant, intimate, country-tinged songs, probably not classic NY but the new songs have their moments and show where the artists is now. Moving into old age, Young seems largely at peace with himself though there are still flashes of the old anger (his next project after this concert was the ferocious Living With War LP!).

Clearly grateful to his loving family and supportive friends, this sentimental, moving performance goes into the second half where Neil plays the classics. Uniformally brilliant, this includes a beautiful Harvest Moon, touching fingerpickin' Old King and classic, solo Old Laughing Lady. Other songs featured such as the superb I Am A Child and Old Man possibly owe their inclusion to the recent death of Neil's father to whom the film is dedicated.

Recorded at the legendary Ryman Auditorium at Nashville, Heart Of Gold is a exquisitely-made, intimate concert film by one of elder statesmen of rock whose singing and playing get better and better. It led to me playing all my old Neil Young albums again which must surely be the point. A brilliant, moving performance.