Young was finally awarded a Grammy, albeit not for his music, but rather the “MusiCares Person of the Year”.  Whatever.  Some of the reasons cited for Young winning it are laudable by any standard, but much of it was a Hollywood political statement (think Al Gore winning an Oscar, except without any artistic merit).

Young receiving an award for official Hollywood approving of his opinions (can’t we all get an award for that?) actually denigrated a man who has long since deserved honor for his music. Ironically, Young’s music is about as anti-Hollywood as one can possibly imagine, while still actually selling enough records to eat.  Throwing Young a left-overs dish for the Grammy’s crew to reassure themselves that they haven’t forgotten this guitar-giant does disrespect to a man that has deserved more than one Grammy in his time.

Young has done himself a disservice at times though.  His over the top anti-Bush album ‘Living With War’ was his way of bringing out his lost inner-hippy, and that alright. What wasn’t alright is when on tour after LWW’s release, that’s all he played. That’s all, he played.

As someone who would be tempted to make a little girl cry to listen to Young live for just 5 minutes, it goes without saying that I felt a little let down when he played not a single classic (minus 2 older political rants), and only visceral nonsense in his campaign against Bush’s bid for a 3rd term. Come to think of it, I’ve seen a better show from Star Wars Kid (he’s also great in 2.0).  But like Young’s comeback albums – think ‘Decade’ in 72 and ‘Harvest Moon’ in 92 – he came back with me as well, playing an unforgettable concert in Kingston of last summer.

Those who have accomplished great things deserve to be recognized, but if the Grammy’s have overlooked Young for this long and only throw him a mercy prize now, he should take the award as a gentleman, but keep in mind that their vain attempts at self-appreciation aren’t needed for his fans to appreciate his work, and him as an artist.