Neil Young and Crazy Horse Perform Augmented “Cortez The Killer” and Bust Outs During Love Earth Tour Opener

Hana Gustafson on April 25, 2024
Neil Young and Crazy Horse Perform Augmented “Cortez The Killer” and Bust Outs During Love Earth Tour Opener

Photo Credit: Marc Millman

On Wednesday evening, April 24, Neil Young and Crazy Horse commenced their Love Earth Tour at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in San Diego, Calif. Night one began with the 1975 released “Cortez The Killer,” which was augmented from its popularized form with missing verses that initially appeared in the book that was paired alongside Neil Young Archives II: 1972-1976 box set. 

The altered song landed in the night’s number-one slot, serving as the opener to Young’s first live appearance of the year. Fraying from the Zuma-originated presentation, the esteemed Canadian guitarist/ vocalist tacked on added lines: 

But I floated on the water

And I ate that ocean wave

Two weeks after the slaughter 

I was livin’ in a cave 

If I came too late to get one 

But there’s no one here to set me free 

From this rocky grave 

To the snow-capped ocean waves 

Staying true to the intent of the song, it narrates the story of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his vast and devastating acts of violence against the indigenous population of mainland Mexico, which caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and the initial colonization of the Americas. The initial composition was also recorded with Crazy Horse, making it a tactful addition to the joint tour opener. 

From the shores of modern-day Mexico, Young and company, Crazy Horse, Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, and Micah Nelson cut into a classic take on “Cinnamon Girl” before rolling into “Scattered (Let’s Think About Livin’),” performed for the first time since 2018. The ensemble turned to “Down By the River,” followed by the sporadically performed “The Losing End (Where You’re On).” 

A favored rendition of “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” came halfway through the show and was capped by “Powderfinger” and “Love and Only Love.” Next, sans assistance, Young gave a solo acoustic performance of barnburners “Comes a Time” and “Heart of Gold,” ending the unaccompanied stint with “Human Highway,” representing another bust out, last played on Aug. 7, 2013, in Oslo. 

The night’s motif continued with a dust-off of nearly forgotten tunes when the ensemble went with Times Fades Away percolator, “Don’t Be Denied,” last performed on Feb. 3, 2019, and before that a pair of live run-throughs circa 1997. Holding down the final position was “Hey, Hey, My My (Into the Black),” which also served as a bust out, which would circle back to its most recent play a la 2019.  

After last night’s show, Young and Crazy Horse will follow up tonight, with their second and final appearance in San Diego. 

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Cal Coast Credit Union – San Diego, Calif. 

April 24, 2024 

Set: Cortez The Killer%, Cinnamon Girl, Scattered (Let’s Thing About Livin’), Don’t Cry No Tears, Down By The River, The Losing End (Where You’re On), Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Poderfinger, Love and Only Love, Comes a Time+, Heart of Gold+, Human Highway+, Don’t Be Denied, Hey, Hey, My My (Into the Black) 

Notes:

% Alternative lyrics 

+ Solo acoustic