The funniest thing I've ever heard said about Neil Young was by Mark Parenteau back in the WBCN days. I don't remember the exact words, but it was along the lines of "Neil Young is the favorite artist of amputee guitar students. During a solo, you can just throw your stump on there and go to town." That Parenteau - he's got to be the second or third funniest pedophile in the history of Boston radio.

Neil Young is one of those artists in which it really doesn't make sense why he's so great. His singing voice is not "good," in the traditional sense of the word anyway. His guitar playing is sloppy, his songs are simple. He's one of those rare artists that is more than the sum of his parts. It doesn't make sense that he's so great. But make no mistake - he is really fucking great.

I think one of the things I value so much about Neil Young's work is the workmanlike songwriting. By all reports, he sits down and doesn't do anything else until he finishes the song. Bam. Done - there's a song. Next song! Simple, great songs with touching lyrics performed in a raw, genuine way. He's a role model for me as a songwriter. I'm not alone.

So of course when we decided to make Neil the subject of this Cover-Up, a bunch of great musicians jumped at the chance. This is going to be another special one, folks. Get your tickets early.