Neil Young covers

People are always asking me – actually, no one has ever asked me, but still – what are your favourite covers of Neil Young songs? You love Neil, Rick. You’re not an obsessive like your hack mate, you know, the one who was at the NME, Venue and is, I think, still at the Observer, but you own a good few of Neil’s records. Lots of artists have covered Shakey’s songs, some better than others. Do you have any favourites? Of course I do. Thanks for not asking.

No Neil Young fanatic is going to agree with my choices, but never mind. It’s my blog and I’ll piss Shakey fans off at my leisure. I reckon this is a mint list.

1. Harvest Moon by Poolside. My favourite Neil song and I reckon this is a cover that more than does it justice. Buy 2013’s Pacific Standard Time to hear more.
2. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Saint Etienne. Back to 1990 and a lush cover of Neil’s tune from their album Foxtrot Alpha.
3. On The Beach by Radiohead. I fucking love Radiohead so this bootleg was never going to miss out.
4. Like A Hurricane by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Maybe this should be higher? I’m seeing Jason Isbell later this year at the Bristol Beacon. He doesn’t play this one live these days – this is from his 2012 Live From Alabama record.
5. Rockin’ In The Free World by Drive By Truckers. Wow – a live version with a brass section and an accordion.

Can you come up with a better list? Or just a different one?