Neil Young released a video performing “Helpless” from his newly-released 1971 solo concert film, “Young Shakespeare.”
Composed by Neil Young and initially recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their 1970 album, “Déjà Vu”, the song is amongst a dozen tracks Young played at the Shakespeare Theater in Stratford, CT while on tour for his “After The Gold Rush.”
The performance took place just three days following a remarkable show at Toronto’s Massey Hall (officially issued in 2007).
“[Producer] John Hanlon and I both feel Shakespeare is superior to our beloved Massey Hall,” explains Young. “A more calm performance, without the celebratory atmosphere of Massey Hall, captured live on 16mm film. Young Shakespeare is a very special event. To my fans, I say this is the best ever. Young Shakespeare is the performance of that era. Personal and emotional, for me, it defines that time.”
Filmed for broadcast on German TV, and is not yet available publicly.
However, “Young Shakespeare” is now available on vinyl, CD while a stand DVD of the concert will be available solely through The Greedy Hand Store at Neil Young Archives.
Keep going for the performance below: