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C. Young's EPK
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Bands > NEIL C. YOUNG... Two Hands, One Guitar

Brief Biog
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>Reviews
Recordings

'Nice Work'
I've been listening to My Crazy Pony EP and it's great. Really excellent and unique arrangements. I've never heard a jazz album like it. Neil C Young is on to something...blending in the strings and synthy sound effects, it reminded me a bit of Jon Brion's production of Brad Mehldau's "Largo" album. Not that it sounded like it, but because there are elements from pop and rock production being applied to jazz, which is what Brion brought to the Largo record. And that's what jazz needs these days...a fresh approach. Nice work!
-Will Phalen 09/07

'Trio produced wonderful music'
Guitarist Neil C. Young comes from a family of musicians. He was a student of Viola at Birmingham Conservatoire before changing his first instrument to Guitar. At the Bridge, Burnley, he was joined by his brother, Richard, on Drums and Alex Berry on Bass Guitar. They provide the rhythm for The Earlies band.

Neil began on his Guitar, acoustic in build, incorporating pick-ups for the sound system, dense chords flowing quite aggresively in funky rhythms.

The second number was quiet, perhaps in the style of Tal Farlow, developing an Afro-Cuban beat with the drummer on the rim. A swinging blues followed with the two guitars in close attention to each other. A tune on single notes became chordal against a choppy rhythm with sophisticated drumming. The pace was stepped up to a bossa-nova beat with a thrilling conclusion. In the next number, the bass player established the line, the lead guitar added phrases and the drummer drove matters on like a railway engine. This was most complex. A change of mood became melodic with a rowdy coda.

A fractured introduction exploded with all players energetic and engaged. Bass guitar was allowed a solo. Richard began the next on a jet-stream beat. The guitars got the message, developing thick driving chords, which led into an item in which the rhythms were contrapropulsive. The music thinned out and thickened up again.

Drums began the next, with the guitars coming in nice and level. It became another bossa-nova, with the drumming really intense. A ruminative bass solo brought in item 12. The guitars were more than ever together. To conclude, Cole Porter's "Night and Day", very elaborate, led into Ellington's " Caravan", with an extended drum solo.

Over two hours of music, I picked up no signs of disharmony. The three players are all technically assured and make wonderful music together.
-David Kilpatrick (Burnley Express - 09/03/07)

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:: NEW RELEASE! NEW RELEASE! Ence Records would like to announce the latest release by Jazz Guitarist, Neil C. Young, My Crazy Pony EP.

:: My Crazy Pony EP is a 5 track EP which uses old ideas but brought bang up to date through new, powerful and moving arrangements. From the opening Benny Vitamins, soaked in hard Jazz Funk, to the peaceful and moving Ballade, through the strong Latin flavour of Time will Sing onto the cheeky and intriguingly titled Ha det bra and finally to the uplifting and upbeat I think her name. An exciting collection of tunes with strong ideas, great playing, from an exciting new artist!

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:: New review by Bill Palmer of "My Crazy Pony"...
"It is possible to find intelligent, accessible music if you know where to look. I looked on www.introducingtheincredible.com and found the EP My Crazy Pony by Neil. C. Young. The level of playing on this recording makes the music sound effortless, some tunes sounding like standards you just never heard before. The performances are assured and delivered with great feel so that from the Latin rhythm of Time Will Sing to the lyricism of Ballade or the relaxed swing of I Think Her Name, something on this EP will shake or move you.

"Apart from drums and percussion - which are provided by his brother Richard (erstwhile drummer for The Earlies) - all tracks on the CD are composed, arranged and recorded by the gifted Mr. Young. On Time Will Sing, the rhythm section is augmented by a string section also arranged and performed by this multi-talented chap who, although known as a guitar player, also makes the bass move along with an irresistible, unfussy groove.

"The quality of the production is excellent and it's hard to believe it was recorded and mixed on a laptop. This CD is an example of a kind of cottage industry, and this trend, well established in pop and rock music, where musicians take control of the means of production, cut out the record company and market their work directly to the public, is relatively new to jazz and should be welcomed. I suggest you take this pony for a ride, you would be crazy not to."
- Bill Palmer, www.avantidisplay.com

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:: There have been two reviews of Take A Seat - one by Keith Ames of MUsician Magazine (Musicians' Union) and one by Rob Marshall...

"Three track EP of excellent feel-good instrumental jazz from Colne Guitarist Neil in partnership with drummer Richard Young. The original 'The Green Man of Granada' is an uplifting and entertaining melodic ride. More please."
- Keith Ames, MUsician Magazine

"In this high-speed world of quick fix downloads and digital information there it is sometimes little opportunity to relish some of music's more delicate offerings.
In Neil C Young's 'Take A Seat' EP, we are invited to savour his trio of self-penned compositions, which blends an assorted mix of styles with his own unique and playful harmonizing. From the immediate fast bop of 'That Darned' through the gentle drifting, 'The Green Man of Granada', and ending with another Latin flavoured piece 'Agua Calientes' (which always brings to my mind perfect accompaniment for an exotic coastal night drive), we are given insight into not only the artist's tastes in guitar-led jazz but also his gift of arranging simple themes with often-complex harmonies. So why not take the time to kick off your shoes, sit back, relax and take a seat - and listen in to Neil C. Young."
- Rob Marshall, March 2006