The great songwriter Neil Young and the acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Demme have enjoyed a long and fruitful friendship over the years.
It was Demme who brought us the doc “Neil Young: Heart of Gold” a few years ago — to rave reviews and receptive audiences.
“Neil Young Journeys” is sort of a continuation of that earlier documentary, but to lesser effect.
This time, they travel back to Young’s native Canada to perform a solo concert in Toronto’s old Massey Hall, offering songs that include “Peace Valley Boulevard,” “Ohio,” “Down by the River,” “Love & War” and many others.
Between songs, Neil and his brother Bob take Demme on a driving tour of their old stomping grounds in Omemee, Ontario, where the boys grew up. They tell stories, some of them good, about the glory days, about growing up in Canada and other childhood memories.
The magic from “Heart of Gold” is missing this time around, but if you LOVE Neil Young and his music, you will find it difficult to skip “Neil Young Journeys.”