1st Tour in 43 Years... and I'm Goin'!

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 1 Jun 2011 8:19 am

Chip, your pic is of a Buffalo Springfield steam powered steam roller, quite possibly this very same one. Buffalo Springfields like these have been featured on RFD-TV

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 1 Jun 2011 11:31 am

Larry...WOW!

Way Cool!

I stumbled upon the engine while just out for a drive around Metacomet Pond in Belchertown, MA. It was like just there among a grove of trees and sitting on some rail. It's just off Rte.9 North heading into the Amherst/Northampton area.

When the name on the engine, "B-S", caught my eye, I just said I gotta stop and take a pic of this. Back then the only camera I owned was a simple compact Kodak Instamatic. (mainly, because I'm no photographer)

...the big 'theory' around these parts [when Buffalo Springfield were peaking away] was a rumor that the name came from the fact that some of the members were living in or around Springfield, MA and others were in the Buffalo, NY area.
They would practice in both locations. So going back and forth got to be [undoubtedly] a big drag. They all kept saying Buffalo-Springfield * Springfield-Buffalo * B-S * S-B etc. And from this ridiculous theory came the famous name.

Great pic, Larry. Thanks for that. Great old locomotive, as well.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Jun 2011 1:44 am

The steam roller made it into the band logo tonight at the Fox Theater. Check it out!

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 2 Jun 2011 2:17 am

Mr. Jimbeaux,

YAHOO!

...hope the concert met all your suspectable elations.

...so what now? Did those guys just happenstance upon this great locomotive NOW; or was it, indeed, the very premise for their name...?

The plot sickens.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 2 Jun 2011 3:55 am

Yes, it was where the name came from.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 2 Jun 2011 6:12 am

From Richie's book on the Springfield:

"They were resurfacing Fountain Avenue" notes Barry (Friedman) on how the group serendipitously found its identity, "and we pulled up to the house behind a steamroller. It had a sign on the back that said 'Buffalo Springfield". We said 'that's it'. So we took the sign of the back of the steamroller and took it into the house, stuck it on the wall, and that was that."

The band considered no other name, though they would come to be known affectionately in the media as The Herd. "The Buffalo Springfield Roller Company in Toledo, Ohio endorsed us using it" confirms Richie. "They wrote us back and told us they were excited to see the name being used because the company was not doing too much at the time. It was an encouraging start."

Larry Tracy · Post by **Larry Tracy** » 2 Jun 2011 8:06 am

OK JIm, Mark, Scott, Give us the scoop. How was the show? From Jim's picture looks like they they were electric.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 2 Jun 2011 8:14 am

Here is a review.

http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org ... kicks.html

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 2 Jun 2011 8:28 am

Larry Tracy wrote:OK JIm, Mark, Scott, Give us the scoop. How was the show? From Jim's picture looks like they they were electric.

I'm going tonight.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 2 Jun 2011 9:12 am

Here is a review of last night from the San Jose Mercury:

Review: Buffalo Springfield in Oakland
Posted by Jim Harrington on June 2nd, 2011 at 2:48 am | Categorized as Concerts | Tagged as Buffalo Springfield, Fox Theater, neil young

By Jim Harrington

Don’t tell me you didn’t see this coming.

Buffalo Springfield’s long-awaited reunion at the 24th annual Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View back in October – which marked the legendary 1960s group’s first public performances in 42 years – was simply too good to be a one-off event.

So it really wasn’t that big a surprise when Buffalo Springfield announced earlier this year it was planning to tour for the first time since the band split up in 1968.

Surely the promise of a big pay day – a headlining set at Tennessee’s mammoth Bonnaroo festival on June 11 – factored into the decision to fire up the tour buses. But, perhaps naively, I’d like to think it also had something to do with this how meaningful the Buffalo Springfield songbook is to both the musicians and the fans.

That’s the impression I got watching the reunited Springfield – which features original members Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and the Bay Area’s own Neil Young – at the Bridge School. And I got an even stronger sense of that during the group’s performance Wednesday night at Oakland’s Fox Theater, the kick-off of a six-date California tour designed to properly prep Buffalo Springfield for its Bonnaroo set.

Wednesday’s sold-out concert – the first half of a two-night stand at the venue – was superior in many ways to what was witnessed nearly eight months ago at Shoreline. Topping the list, however, was that the band was able to “plug in” at the Fox, instead of having to adhere to the “acoustic only” Bridge School format.

As expected, that change paid huge dividends, providing Stills and Young – both of whom made Rolling Stone magazine’s much-discussed list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” – with ample opportunities to light up the frets. Watching these two studs lock horns on the live stage – be it with Buffalo Springfield or with their other signature band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – never fails to impress.

The group, which also features Crosby, Stills and Nash drummer Joe Vitale in place of the late Dewey Martin and Young’s regular bassist Rick Rosas filling in for the late Bruce Palmer, sounded quite convincing as it filled the 90-minute show with selections from Buffalo Springfield’s three-album-strong songbook.

The quintet opened with “On the Way Home,” immediately followed with “Rock & Roll Woman,” and then proceeded to play just about every Buffalo Springfield song that a fan would want to hear – as well as a few that could’ve been easily trimmed from the set list.

The voices have changed over the last four decades, with Still’s suffering the most drastic weathering, but that couldn’t stop the wave of nostalgia that swept over the audience, a good portion of which was probably old enough to remember buying 1967’s “Buffalo Springfield Again” when it first came out.

Those seeing Buffalo Springfield for the first time might’ve been shocked to learn that it’s anything but Neil Young and a backing band. Fans, especially those living in the Bay Area, are used to seeing the Wizard of Woodside run the show. But Young, Furay and Stills come across as equals during a Buffalo Springfield concert, which is a very different vibe than what you get when you see Young perform with Crosby, Stills and Nash.

That factors into the reason why Buffalo Springfield is so interesting. The three co-leaders are dynamically different, and they each pull the band in their own directions. Furay, who would go on to form Poco after leaving Buffalo Springfield, favors smooth, sleek country-pop sounds, while Young prefers some rough edges and Stills is just looking for any excuse to blaze.

Buffalo Springfield changes its sound so drastically, moving from Furay softly crooning “Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It” to Young and Stills trading hot licks on “Mr. Soul,” that it’s hard to believe it’s all coming from the same band.

One might wish for more Young – and, indeed, his numbers were the highlights of this show – and a little less Furay. But that would defeat the whole purpose of this reunion, which is to remember what made Buffalo Springfield so intriguing in the first place.

And, boy, did the encore ever serve as a potent reminder. It opened with the fan-favorite “Broken Arrow,” included the all-time great protest anthem “For What It’s Worth,” and ended with a stellar version of Young’s “Keep on Rocking in the Free World.”

One can only hope that the reunited Buffalo Springfield decides to take that last song’s message to heart.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Jun 2011 12:23 pm

Do I have to come right out and say it? It was amazing.

Scott Shewbridge · Post by **Scott Shewbridge** » 2 Jun 2011 7:42 pm

The review does a pretty good job summarizing the evening; It was a great show. I had some different impressions though.

I thought Neil Young's presence was expansive; To me, he owned the stage, whether on accoustic or electric. His lead work with a black Les Paul "Old Black" was at times plaintive and at other times ferocious. He seemed to be channeling some of the Rust Never Sleeps vibe, using a more 70s style of distortion.

When Neil walked over to trade fours with Stills, he seemed to tower over him in a way that I've never seen before. Often, Furay seemed to just stay out of his way, though Neil was in no way over-bearing. He just seemed to be feeling young and healthy and extroverted, a welcome sight to me after scares the last few years and quite different compared to how he seemed to portray his world as an introverted "strange" writer during the Springfield era. (Go ahead and change Neil, you can still let her.)

There was no steel guitar and Kind Woman suffered because of it. On the flip side, some of the alternate electric interpretations of what were accoustic recordings were pretty fun. I'm glad I went.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Jun 2011 7:46 pm

Scott, Neil certainly was into it. Did it seem to you that he often seemed to be trying to 'goad' Stills into locking horns with him? That was my impression -- and I think that's a good thing. But it also seemed that Stills was perhaps not digging in as deeply as he potentially could, either vocally or instrumentally. But maybe I'm off-base on that. I'd be interested in your thoughts about that.
Jim

Scott Shewbridge · Post by **Scott Shewbridge** » 2 Jun 2011 8:13 pm

Yeah, I agree. To me, it didn't feel like mutual stoking of the artistic fires; more like a sort of Gypsy or Blues throw down style of pumping, you know what I mean? Neil seemed to be trying to jump start Stills, but I sort of wonder if Stills wasn't feeling 100% and had to stay more in his own energy last night.

Neil seemed to be focusing far less "demanding" energy at Furay. I remember after one of Richie's songs, he walked over and gently squeezed his shoulder. I enjoyed seeing that shared moment of warmth.

All of those contrasts between electric and accoustic instruments and personalities was quite intriguing, as the article suggests. I listened to their first album on the train coming home from work today and heard things I hadn't heard before. Great music.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 3 Jun 2011 12:05 am

Scott Shewbridge wrote: I thought Neil Young's presence was expansive; To me, he owned the stage, whether on accoustic or electric. His lead work with a black Les Paul "Old Black" was at times plaintive and at other times ferocious.

I just got home from the Thursday night show about a half hour ago, and it's late and I'm too tired to write my full review - that will be for Friday or Saturday. But Scott, your first sentence I quoted above hit the nail squarely on the head. That was the same impression we got tonight.

I will say - overall, a very good show, with moments of greatness.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 3 Jun 2011 5:52 am

Mark Eaton wrote:
Scott Shewbridge wrote: I thought Neil Young's presence was expansive;
Any time I've seen Neil I got that impression. He is so powerful.

My friend Paul was telling me he talked to Richie when this reunion was a real possibility of happening and Richie said Neil told him, "Rich, I won't let you down this time."

Sounds like Neil meant it.

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 3 Jun 2011 6:03 am

Last nights show was magical for many moments, as well as a tad bit melancholy as well. For me (and I suspect for many of us) Kind Woman put steel guitar on my radar. I hadn't heard Ritchie sing it in over 30 years and it brought me to my knees.

Neil looked to be having a fabulous time, smiling like a kid, bouncing around and playing his ass off. The vocals were really very good overall....I was impressed with the harmonies on many of the songs. But the sound left much to be desired, which was unfortunate. Stills had problems all night with his guitars, flashing some frustration occasionally. On the other hand, he looked good with the massive weight loss (somehow I think having cancer does that) and even though his voice was uneven, it was still Stills. Ritchies voice.....my oh my, the man can still sing em and make it sound real.

My melancholy side of the night...so many of those tunes were written when these guys were barely 20, so while they are mostly all good songs (Hot Dusty Roads?) some don't really stand up to any of their later works. I also felt old! lol. What a sea of bald heads, gray hair,and BMW keychains. It took me back, hard, to another time and place in my life and for a moment I thought that I am a Child.

I played a number of gigs in the 70's with Dewey. Let's hope wherever he and Bruce are, they are smiling at their comrades and feeling blessed for giving us such lasting memories.

Bring it again!

SS

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 3 Jun 2011 7:27 am

Kind Woman without the pedal steel really isn't the same, and even if I weren't a "steel geek" I'm sure I'd think the same thing. It's just such a signature part to that song. You're not going to bring Rusty Young in for one song but I wonder: if Ben Keith were still with us, would Neil have suggested to Richie and Stephen to bring him on board for the tour? Along with KW, he could come out for a number of others - would have been great on "I Am A Child" and "A Child's Claim To Fame." When they played that song I kept hearing the Poco version with Rusty on dobro. Maybe they should have invited Rusty after all!

I also thought that the sound overall wasn't that swift, and being pretty high up in the balcony, something was missing. But we were in the center, next to the aisle so the sight lines were good with the aid of my trusty Nikon binoculars.

Another thing you wanted to hear (because it's in your "DNA") is the banjo part at the end of "Bluebird." Hey, the opening act was Gillian Welch, and she brought hers - they could have employed it for just that part!

so many of those tunes were written when these guys were barely 20, so while they are mostly all good songs (Hot Dusty Roads?) some don't really stand up to any of their later works.

Stephen, my brother said the same thing as we were exiting the show. I have found the chords/lyrics for a few of the tunes from the first album online, and I enjoy sitting around singing them with an acoustic on my backyard deck or in the living room. Some catchy pop/rock songs. But the real creativity that had yet to be unleashed - it was like an even more accelerated version of what we experienced with the evolving Beatles in just a few short years. With the Springfield, the difference between the first album and "Again" was huge. I really enjoyed last night "Broken Arrow." Just beautiful!

Scott Shewbridge · Post by **Scott Shewbridge** » 3 Jun 2011 3:26 pm

Lots of agreement on the concert, the crowd and the sound. Terrible drone at ~125 hz on Gillian's set and Neil's accoustic fedback something fierce, especially when he picked up the harmonica. He had to give up on the right hand vibrato flapping, keeping his right hand over the sound hole.

On another geek note - I was thrilled to see so many Guild Guitars being used, being a Guild man myself.

Fun concert and fun to share notes with all of you.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Jun 2011 3:44 pm

Was Stills' blonde jazz-box a Guild? I was wondering... Also, it looked like the brown jazz-box might have been an Eastman...?

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 3 Jun 2011 4:25 pm

Though I could have used a little more of Gillians vocal, I thought their sound, especially the guitars, was superb. Stills plays with a heavy low mid sound, has for years, but it just didn't cut through the mix, at all. And the vocals for the guys set could have been much crisper.

We were row J dead center.....probably a better mix back at the board. It's always a challenge when the sound guy is tucked back under the balcony like that. i don't think you can get a good mix at 12-15 rows when you are in a semi bunker like that.

On another note, did you guys notice the pace of the songs? A lot of restraint on tempos. At first I wanted to hear Rock and Roll Woman at speed, but definately got into the groove they set. Vitale is especially powerful, yet restrained.

As an observation, they had just a few stage props. The tiffany lamp over the piano and the tiki....Neils oversized amp head. My conjecture....each of them brought one thing, Stills the tiki, Ritchie the lamp, and Neil the amp. Just to make it homey feeling. Don't you just love that he gets that huge guitar sound out of that little ole tweed. Anyone know what his pedal board looks like? (ewww, a littlet to geeky there)

YMMV

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Jun 2011 4:44 pm

Yes, I did notice that some of the tempos were slower than I had remembered them. I prefer them faster. And, yes, Stills' guitar didn't cut as well as I would have wished. Oh well. Quibble, quibble. Loved the concert anyway.

Scott Shewbridge · Post by **Scott Shewbridge** » 4 Jun 2011 9:57 am

Based on your beautiful photos Jim, I'd say you had a better view than I did. I don't know if Still's Jazzbox was a Guild. And I agree that huge brown box did look like an Eastman. They sure did change up instruments a lot; For a while I thought they were going to change every song, but thankfully the eventually settled down. I really wish we had hooked up at the concert. I always enjoy your posts and it would have been fun to associate a name with a face and experience.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Jun 2011 10:23 am

Yeah, Scott, we shoulda worked that out.

Here is my whole collection of photos from the concert: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuPzL1F

I was in the front row of the 2nd balcony; pretty good seats but not great. But my little digital zoom camera did pretty good, considering there was no flash. Some of the shots came out shaky but that sometimes adds action and excitment...

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 4 Jun 2011 4:10 pm

Sounds like a good time guys.

Chip, Richie found out later, according to his book, that the Buffalo Springfield Co. was just 7 miles away from his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, I am also proud to say I am also from Ohio, Strongsville, born in Parma. Left when I was 3, but it is still home and have lots of relatives there.

My best friend Steve is seeing them tonight in LA, flew out from Jersey for the show, wish I could have gone. Looking forward to hearing his take on the show.

Jimbeaux, I was kinda expecting to hear that you were drafted up to play Kind Woman with them, with your connections, it seemed possible. Maybe on the East Coast part of the tour. Knowing your love of that era, I know you could pull it off and make Rusty proud.