As an album it's a tough listen; a drunken, shambolic affair that was recorded with a pretty loose assembly of musicians in the wake of the deaths of two of Neil's close friends (one his guitarist, one his longtime roadie) from drug ODs.
But this version of "World On A String" comes from his super-underrated "Unplugged" album (1993) and there's enough distance between the original 1973 recording sessions and a 90s world that appreciated "Uncle Neil" as a grunge forebear to appreciate it for what it is: "I have fame, I have dough, I have a ranch, it don't matter, my friends are gone." Pure heartfelt lament.
The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here: https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/ The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s.
Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha).
For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
