Neil Young surprised fans with a special Christmas gift: a rare video of him performing “Silver & Gold.” On December 25th, the 79-year-old singer-songwriter shared footage on Instagram of himself playing the title track from his 2000 album, a song originally written in 1981. The intimate performance featured Young playing an acoustic guitar from his couch, with the video ending on a shot of a crackling fireplace. Young captioned the video with a simple yet heartwarming message: “sending love to you ❄️🌲🐾🎶❤️.” He also hinted at the possibility of this being his first “fireside session,” suggesting more intimate performances could be on the horizon.
“Silver & Gold” is a song Young has rarely performed live, with the last known performance dating back to 2007. Following the song’s release in 2000, Young discussed its creation in an interview with KGSR Radio. He described the song as one that “lives with the guitar,” highlighting its simplicity and inherent connection to the instrument. Young revealed that he recorded the song numerous times with different arrangements and musicians, but ultimately returned to its roots, performing it solo with his acoustic guitar. He emphasized the importance of connecting with the song’s meaning in the present moment, stating, “I love the song and I feel the song now and it means something to me now.”
In other news, Young hinted at a new album release during a Christmas Day appearance on The Mentors Radio podcast. Tentatively titled Talkin to the Trees, the upcoming album was recorded with his band, the Chrome Hearts, and produced by Lou Adler. Young expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to create new music, describing the process as unexpected and inspiring. He mentioned a two-year period without writing any new material before the sudden burst of creativity that led to the new album. Young assured listeners that “the record will speak for itself,” generating anticipation for its release. He emphasized his surprise and gratitude for the album’s completion, stating, “I’m still lucky enough to have made this last record that I made. It’s blown my mind.”
This unexpected Christmas gift and the news of a forthcoming album have left fans excited for what’s next from the legendary musician. Young’s return to Spotify earlier in 2022 after a dispute over misinformation further solidifies his presence in the music scene and his commitment to using his platform for meaningful expression.
