Neil Young's Western Heroes (DVD)

Were is not for the fact that Neil Young is none of the finest composers of the rock age, he would undoubtedly still be seen as a consummate and electrifying performer and one of contemporary music's very best interpreters of the music of others. This film uncovers the sonic inspirations that have informed and catalysed Neil Young's own song-writing as well as those who have been honoured by having this maverick visionary cover their work. From the twangy surf guitars of fellow Canadians The Fireball and 60s Brit-Poppers The Shadows through folk-revivalists like Ian & Sylvia, early Bob Dylan and the sublime folk-blues guitarist Bert Jansch, Neil had lapped it all up before his first records with The Squires were even released. But in 1970s Young didn't stop checking out what was new and using the inspiration he found in the best of it. Heavy rock guitarist Randy Bachman was always an N.Y. fave - albeit seldom recognised - but as the decade wore on Kraftwerk, Devo , an a little alter, Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam all took the great man's fancy and worked their way into his songbook. Threading the results of this investigation into an enthralling documentary film in which the above named and many more are placed in the context of their impact on Young's music, and with the aid of rare performance footage, exclusive and archive interviews, and contributions from many of these writers and musicians, this film takes an alternative view of Neil Young's extraordinary body of work and his eccentric but always refreshing approach to music.