Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)

Jonathan Demme directs a intimate concert with Neil Young in Nashville in this 2006 release. Recorded during a two night concert at the Ryman Auditorium and just before Young's surgery for a brain aneurysm at Vanderbilt Hospital, Heart of Gold is as good as it gets.

Young may have slowed down a bit, but this Canadian continues to create relevant sound; his 2006 album Prairie Wind doesn't rock as hard, but the footage is beautiful. Demme knows his subject well and captures Young at his peak. The film is gently paced--almost meditative. Demme has captured his subject well and under his direction, the Young is his most complex. The editing is seamless; visually, the film is slightly haunting.

Neil Young plays the entire album, intersperses a few hits and some obscure classics. The chemistry between him and the stellar group of musicians onstage (among them Emmy Lou Harris, his wife Pegi, The Nashville String Machine and Fisk Jubilee Singers)-it's wonderful to behold.

Heart of Gold is definitely for a niche audience. Still I would hate to think that anyone would miss out on one of the ICONS. For fans of Neil Young and/or Jonathan Demme, this shouldn't be missed.