Broken Arrow

Certain Songs #1943: Robbie Robertson – “Broken Arrow”

October 26, 2020 by Jim Connelly

Album: Robbie Robertson
Year: 1987

. . .

Robbie Robertson is an interesting figure, especially given the ongoing resentment against him for how The Band broke up and how the aftermath of that break-up treated the other guys.

That said, he’s an all-timer just for his work in the decade from 1966-1976. Or for that matter, the first two Band albums. Or for that matter, his work with Dylan. Or for that matter, his guitar playing on the 1966 tour, which remains some of the most powerful and unique rock guitar ever played — one of the keys to music that remains unmatched.

Certain Songs #1289: Neil Young – “Music Arcade”

August 11, 2018 by Jim Connelly

Album: Broken Arrow
Year: 1996

Recorded at Plywood Digital, Woodside, CA on March 29, 1996

But the best song on Broken Arrow wasn’t one of the long Crazy Horse jams, but rather just Neil alone with an acoustic guitar singing in an incredibly hushed manner, like he really didn’t want to sing the song, but also felt obligated to, as well.

Mood-wise, it’s almost a companion piece to “Borrowed Tune,” and while utter despair conveyed by that tune has been replaced with acceptance, the tone is still sad:

Certain Songs #1288: Neil Young & Crazy Horse – “Big Time”

August 10, 2018 by Jim Connelly

Album: Broken Arrow
Year: 1996

Recorded at Plywood Digital on March 25, 1996

Since 1989, Neil Young had been on a roll: five studio albums and two live albums, not to mention TV appearances, sold-out tours, and an overall acknowledgement that he deserved the lifetime pass he’d already earned by the time the 1980s rolled around.

And while it’s not surprising that all of that critical and commercial goodwill would eventually dry up, what’s weird is that it dried up on the occasion of the occasion of his third Crazy Horse album of the decade; an album that was made up of many of the same ingredients — especially the long, loose jams — that people loved about Ragged Glory & Sleeps With Angels.