Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA-- 10-13-86
Comes A Time / Heart Of Gold / Helpless (w/ Bruce Springsteen) / I Am A Child / Only Love Can Break Your Heart * / Change Partners * / Daylight Again * / Ohio * // Hungry Heart (w/ Bruce And CSN) /// Teach Your Children * / * With CSN
Comes A Time / Sugar Mountain / This Note's For You / American Dream (w/CSN) // CSNY SET: Helplessly Hoping / Love The One You're With / This Old House / Southern Man / Don't Say Goodbye / Compass / Long Time Gone / ENCORE: Teach Your Children w/ CSN and Tracy Chapman
Everything Is Broken / Pocahontas / Crime In The City / The Needle And The / Damage Done / No More / Heart Of Gold / Rockin' In The Free World // W/CSNY - Helplessly Hoping / Human Highway / Got It Made / Helpless / Silver & Gold / Southern Cross / Ohio /// Teach Your Children
Neil Young's first Bridge School benefit boasted quite a cast of excellent musicians! Neil started the set off with a few tunes by himself, but was then soon joined by Bruce Springsteen and Crosby Stills and Nash. Tom Petty, Don Henly, and Nils Lofgren were also around to help. Robin Williams offered a hysterical comedy routine and Springsteen closed the evening with a wonderful acoustic set.
Oakland Coliseum, CA-- 12-4-88
This show is the hands-down-winner for most impressive line-up of all the Bridge School Benefits. Neil was joined by CSN. Dylan and G E Smith played a mesmerising acoustic set-- including a stunning version of "With God on Our Side." Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir-- aided by bassist Rob Wasserman-- ran through a nice selection of Dead tunes. Add to all of this wonderful sets by Tom Petty, Nils Lofgren, and Tracy Chapman and you end up with a wonderful evening of music. This show also marked the beginning of Neil's decision to invite a guest that seemed completely out of place in the acoustic environment. This year's choice was Billy Idol-- who, rather startingly, played a very nice set. Neil began the show with a nice "Sugar Mountain" and an acoustic rendition of the bluesy "This Note's For You." CSN joined Neil soon after for the self-titled tune from their new album at the time: American Dream. Neil was also on hand to help Garcia and Weir with "Wang Dang Doodle--" adding some tasty harmonica blasts. Neil also helped out Tracy Chapman-- joining her during "All You Need Is Your Soul." The evening closed with a great set by CSN & Y. Particularly noteworthy was the great version of "Southern Man," featuring the nimble fingers of Nils Lofgren.
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA-- 10-28-89
This show took place a little over a week after The Bay Area experienced a 7.1 earthquake. Neil and a few friends from the evening's roster of guests sang a very timely version of Bob Dylan's "Everything is Broken" (from Oh Mercy-- which had just come out). Neil started the show with a nice acoustic set that included a riveting run through "Crime in the City--" with Neil pounding on his acoustic guitar. Later in the evening, Neil joined CSN for a nice set of CSN standards-- including a "Helplessly Hoping" with some particularly sweet vocal harmonies. Neil's guests for the evening: CSN, Tom Petty, and Tracy Chapman. The out of sequence guest for the night was Sammy Hagar-- who would somehow continue to manage to show up at future Bridge School benefits.
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA-- 10-26-90
Acoustic Crazyhorse! Neil played a solid set of older and newer material. Just a great set-- highlighted by Elvis Costello adding vocals and some tasty guitar licks to "Down by the River." Earlier in the evening, Neil came out and sang "Alison" during Elvis Costello's set. Neil's guests also included: Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, and Edie Brickell.
Comes a Time // Love And Only Love / Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Days That Used To Be / Helpless / Mansion On The Hill / Down By The River /// Rockin' In The Free World
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA-- 11-2-91
The "Birds" from this night is my favorite moment of seeing Neil live. I can only describe it as sublime. You simply had to be there. The whole set is bittersweet-- as only Neil can do it. Neil opened the show with "Forever Young--" just Neil on the pump organ aided by Nicolette Larson's beautiful harmonizing. Neil played it again with the Stray Gators (including Nils Lofgren, Tim Drummond, & others) during his set later in the evening. (NOTE: The following day was the Bill Graham Memorial concert in Golden Gate Park and Neil played it a third time-- this time with the Grateful Dead.) Neil's guests for the evening were John Lee Hooker (w/ Roy Rogers), Don Henley, Nils Lofgren, Tracy Chapman, and Willie Nelson.
Forever Young // Long May You Run / Birds / Harvest Moon / From Hank To Hendrix / Comes A Time / Forever Young /// Greensleeves
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA-- 11-1-92
This show suffered from a lack of enough Neil. Neil opened with a few tunes, but when his turn came at the end he did not play much-- though a small selection of Neil's more popular tunes fused well with a few tunes from Harvest Moon. The final song, "Love is the Key. has a particulalry nice acoustic guitar solo supplied by Neil. Neil is joined by James Taylor and then by Elton John-- both of whom played very nice sets of their own. Sammy Hagar was around again to do whatever it is that he does. Neil's other guests were: Shawn Colvin, Pearl Jam, and the totally out of sequence, yet kind of fun to watch, Sonic Youth (who were unable to complete an entire song).
Sugar Mountain / I Am A Child / Heart Of Gold // From Hank To Hendrix / After The Goldrush / Harvest Moon (w/ James Taylor) / Unknown Legend (w/ James Taylor and Elton John) / Love Is The Key (W/ James Taylor, Elton John, Sammy, & others)
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 11-6-93
Another Bridge School show was that lacking in enough Neil. Though it features the only time he played (as far as I can tell) "Stranger in Paradise--" beautifully done on the grand piano. The cast of guests was rather impresive: Melissa Etheridge, Warren Zevon (Neil joins Warren on "Splendid Isolation"), Ann and Nancy Wilson (yes-- from Heart), Sammy Hagar (this time with the out of sync assistance of Eddie Van Halen), Bonnie Raitt (with the help of Graham Nash), and the highlight of the evening-- Simon and Garfunkel.
Sugar Mountain / Mother Earth // Stranger In Paradise / After The Goldrush / Train Of Love / Rockin' In The Free World /// Splendid Isolation (Guests W/ Warren Zevon)
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-1 & 2-94
Neil and Crazy Horse bring a hard edge to their acoustic sound for both nights. Both versions of "Change Your Mind" are monumental! Neil had a very eclectic and interesting line up this time around: Pete Droge, Mazzy Star, Ministry, The Indigo Girls, Tom Petty, and Pearl Jam. (NOTE: A video from the 10-1-94 Crazyhorse set circulates in the trading circles.).
10-1-94: Comes A Time / Transformer Man // My Heart / Prime Of Life / Drive By / Sleeps With Angels / Hey Hey, My My / Train Of Love / Change Your Mind / Piece Of Crap
10-2-94: All Along The Watchtower / The Needle And The Damage Done // My Heart / Prime Of Life / Drive By / Sleeps With Angels / Hey Hey, My My / Train Of Love / Change Your Mind / Piece Of Crap
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-28-95
Great Crazyhorse acoustic set-- nice to hear acoustic versions of songs like "Cortez the Killer" and "Tonight's the Night." Neil also joins Emmylou Harris for a tune-- as well as a visit to Springsteen's set for a rousing run through "Down by the River." Guests for this year are: Beck, Emmylou Harris(w/ Daniel Lanois and Daryl Johnson), Bruce Springsteen, The Pretenders, and Hootie and the Blowfish.
Comes A Time / Needle and The Damage Done / Heart Of Gold // Sweet Old World (Neil sits in on Emmylou Harris' set) /// Down By The River (Neil sits in on Sprinsteen's set) //// Pocahontas / Look Out For My Love / Cortez The Killer / Powderfinger / Tonight's The Night ///// Rockin' In The Free World
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-19 & 20-96
Another pair of great Crazyhorse acoustic sets. This had been a very busy year for Neil. He played a few weeks worth of shows at the Old Princeton Landing bar near Half Moon Bay, a tour of Europe, a tour of the States and released a new album-- Broken Arrow. The setlist for Neil's performances reflect the influence of old and new tunes. An even more intersting line up for this year: Hayden, Cowboy Junkies, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Pete Townshend (19th only), Billy Idol (20th only), and Bonnie Raitt (20th only).
10-19-96: Natural Beauty // Cinnamon Girl / Cortez The Killer / Campaigner / Human Highway / Scattered / Mr. Soul / Cowgirl In The Sand / Helpless
10-20-96: Natural Beauty // Cinnamon Girl / Cortez The Killer / Campaigner / Human Highway / Scattered / Mr. Soul / Big Time / Helpless
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-18 & 19-97
This time around Neil performed a couple of solo acoustic sets-- something he had been doing quite frequently during his tour with the HORDE Festival. Several of these songs would eventually end up on Silver and Gold. Neil joined the Dave Matthews Band for a riotous romp through "All Along the Watchtower" on the second night. Yet another interesting line up: Blues Traveler, Lou Reed, Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthews Band, and Metallica.
10-18-97: Long May You Run / Four Strong Winds // Without Rings / Slowpoke / Buffalo Springfield Again / Good To See You / Silver And Gold / Mother Earth / After The Goldrush / This Note's For You
10-19-97: Long May You Run / Comes A Time // Without Rings / Slowpoke / Buffalo Springfield Again / Horseshoe Man / Good To See You / Silver And Gold / Mother Earth / After The Goldrush / This Note's For You /// All Along The Watchtower (w/ Dave Matthews Band)
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-17 & 18-98
Highlight of these two nights-- Neil and REM resurecting the amazing "Ambulance Blues--" with Neil on banjo!
10-17-98: Sugar Mountain / Looking Forward // Harry Hood w/ Phish / Helpless w/ Phish /// Throw Your Hatred Down / Heart Of Gold / Distant Camera / Horseshoe Man / After The Goldrush / Old Man / Ambulance Blues w/ REM //// Country Feedback w/ REM
10-18-98: Looking Forward / I Am A Child // From Hank To Hendrix / Distant Camera / Horseshoe Man / After The Goldrush / Expecting To Fly / Powderfinger / Ambulance Blues w/ REM /// Country Feedback w/ REM //// Four Strong Winds w/ Phish & Sarah McLachlan / I Shall Be Released w/ Phish & Sarah McLachlan
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA 10-30 & 31-99
10-30-99: I Am A Child / Good To See You Again / Heart Of Gold // Greenville / Sweet Old World // Surfin' USA // Harvest Moon / Looking Forward / Out Of Control / Long May You Run / Southern Pacific / Mother Earth / Slowpoke / Old Man // I Shall Be Released
10-31-99: I Am A Child / Good To See You Again / Daddy Went Walkin' // Greenville / Sweet Old World /// Good Vibrations / Surfin' USA / Good Vibrations(redux) //// Old King / Long May You Run / Sugar Mountain / Homegrown / Mother Earth / Harvest Moon / Cortez The Killer / Old Man ///// I Shall Be Released
