Phish and Neil Young - Down By the River (Live at Farm Aid 1998)

Neil Young and Phish perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in Tinley Park, Illinois on October 3rd, 1998. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: farmaid.org/you...
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help - what can you do?

[@jimkilroy2549]

Trey’s smile once Neil starts singing is priceless

[@midlwestern3237]

Absolutely

[@Schargers12d]

So awesome

[@yurkdawg]

I was just thinking the exact same thing 😊

[@MrGrillguy44]

one of the greatest live performances... that barely anyone knows about

[@keeganconnolly7409]

I've never heard of this and been a Neil fan for most of my life. Got into Phish the last few years. This is awesome

[@cosmicslopass]

Agreed. Rock n roll magic.

[@michaelgibbons1982]

Except of course for those of us that witnessed this live😊

[@slabhart]

You are a true master when you can pick up someone else's personally calibrated instrument and it still sounds indistinguishably like you. Long Live Neil Young.

[@musicwest9588]

Like all the experts say, "tone lives in the fingers, not the equipment." An extreme example is Jack White, who played a Montgomery Ward JB (which might as well be a plastic guitar) for ages and still made it sing like a siren on the rocks.

[@cedarbay3994]

Most people will sound like themselves when they are actually the one playing the instrument. 💡

[@jessepoole106]

@@musicwest9588 Yeah, it really is the musician that determines the sound. You can recognize a great player's sound on an acoustic instrument just as well as if they were playing an electric with a bunch of different pedals.

[@normatillotson7909]

Yep

[@bmojo7118]

@@musicwest9588 Only Les Paul did justice to the Les Paul like Neil did.(I put Joe Walsh in that list also)

[@TheMowerman124]

Neil Young and Crazy Phish.

[@FirewindII]

IC what U did there.

[@tylerclaird]

Nice

[@miker7795]

It seems like an easy thing but no one else thought of it first.

[@keeganconnolly7409]

Ahhhhh!

[@propjoe1060]

This jam shows that it's not the instrument, its what's in the soul of the player that creates the sound. Neil still sounds like Neil even with Anastasio's gear.

[@Mostafa20268]

well said !

[@Itabouttodo]

If you watch this enough you can see and hear how Neil takes control and directs phish into the segue…this is a beautiful moment. And Alison was not ready lol bless her

[@booyakomasa]

So, I was at this show and haven't heard it (I don't think) since - I was recently sent a post of Trey talking about this night and how Neil wondered onto stage after already performing, on his own, the song they were supposed to play, and then they organically just went into DBTR out of Runaway Jim. It is a hilarious story for sure... and an even better musical exchange/collaboration. Anyway, this is incredible, and I am so grateful that I was there all of those years ago. It's crazy how time goes by.. Trey is now 7 years older than Neil was on this night, and I am about the same age as Neil was here... and it's all just fantastic, and I feel the same as I did when I first heard it, and the quality of the video and the sound is incredible. This is what KZbin is for right here, people... documenting greatness and allowing for time travel.

[@sadboi7537]

Legitimately one of the most epic things in the history of music.

[@REPS-kb7up]

This was only 12 years after Phish was playing our backyard parties. It’s easy to recognize the glee on Trey’s face as he realizes he’s on stage with Neil Young doing Down by the River, a song we all grew up with. Not taking away from the greatness of Phish, just saying this was a moment of self-actualization and growth.

[@markc.2958]

Wonderful comment. All these artists we consider heroes started in dive bars, backyards, and nights when only 3 people showed up. The other beautiful thing about this performance is that though Trey is the "better" guitarist, he sits back out of respect, never stepping on Neil's soloing. And the groove they give Neiler just adds so much energy and danger to the song. Simply a brilliant performance.

[@userer4579]

Ha! You should hear Trey tell the story behind this event.

[@REPS-kb7up]

@@userer4579 please tell us more.

[@bmojo7118]

@@markc.2958 The godfather is the godfather for a reason. Just ask Trey.

[@HenriettaTubbs]

@@userer4579 linx?

[@cshubs]

The look on Trey's face at 2:15 is adorable! He's looking at the other guys, smiling. They are all thinking the same thing: Can you believe it!? We're playing with Neil Effin Young!!

[@likeanantelope1842]

And that was the last time phish was invited to farm aid. Long live the boys!

[@tw8454]

can we talk about how tight fishman is period, here for sure but always. I could name a few drummers that I like a bit more than him however I’ve never heard someone keep time the way he does. love you Jon! keep them sticks flying.

[@brianlloyd2478]

Always solid.

[@jmoney17341]

He's the best drummer of all time. I know that sounds bold, but it's true.

[@blakes2382]

Insane how Neil's voice didn't really alter any within thirty years

[@hermenutic]

I did. First heard the song in 1970, still sounds like the same voice.

[@stevet7223]

Crazy since he lived the rock n roll lifestyle and still to this day sounds like he did 50 years ago

[@Zizie_sc]

@@stevet7223 sounds, plays, and almost writes, I won’t question his abilities to this day. Grew up listening to this man, and many true legends among him. I’ll die carrying this gold on.

[@shermski77]

Neil playing one of Trey's docs...fuck yeah

[@kdbadk]

To this day, Trey Anastasio says "and that's the one Neil Young played!!"

[@michaelsands2417]

The greatest artist, possibly ever, playing with one the greatest live bands, possibly ever

[@cousindave79]

I got to attend this show. One of the best concerts I've ever witnessed.

[@truthawaits4u458]

Dave Underwood I remember this airing! My 21 year old daughter was 1. Lol! I waited for hours for them to play so I could push record on the vcr. Hahaha. Great times.

[@josephdoherty5403]

I am beyond jealous. Neil + Phish is my dream scenario.

[@michaelgibbons1982]

Me, too. Truly unforgettable and Neil actually comes on stage to close out a jam on a tune whose name I forget now for 3-4 minutes before this started. I remember someone bobbing up and down in the background and then Neil finally emerges and the crowd started going bonkers. So awesome

[@Tgallag9255]

All my friends were at the high school dance while I was here experiencing history.

[@Gravy65]

I remember sitting in my buddy's dorm, and he tells me, "you know, Phish is playing Farm Aid, right?" I, of course, knew this, as a huge Phish fan, what I didn't know, was Farm Aid was in Tinley Park, and was totally something an almost unemployed (4 hours a week minimum wage) college student could have gone to, living 15 minutes away from there at the time. I was mad when I found that out..but at least I was able to go to a friend's and watch it on CMT, I still have the video tape I recorded as well. Still wish I was actually there, but it was amazing to catch on tv.

[@philipforrest1732]

Every few months I come back to this to listen and watch. It's great to see Trey's face at the beginning.

[@AndrewJDuddy]

Magic. Trey was so excited he was mimicking Neil the whole time. Full body rocking.

[@midlwestern3237]

The sheer joy on Trey's face... The band had only met Neil for the first time just earlier that day.

[@denisfahey5086]

One of my greatest concert memories. I was in the photo pit at their feet taking pics of this.....wow.....

[@ProudAmerican111]

This is one of those things you never want to end.

[@eriknielsen4070]

I love that Trey just jams with him. He didn't run all over him. He even let old Neil take most of the solos. Great chemistry here.

[@emericask8r130]

I know Trey was trying to not step on toes, and Neil played great, but you could tell he was dying to fire off some machine gun rounds but instead played a rhythm roll to Neil's lead. I don't blame him though. amazing performance.

[@kurtheyer3605]

Sometimes you have to sit in the background, and respect the legends!!!

[@uncleebenezer8599]

Ya, there's a time to show off and a time to stay humbe

[@kevinr.3542]

I wonder if Trey turned way down or if Neil turned way up. he is way louder in the mix, that's treys backup guitar and setup.

[@Uncanny_Valley152]

@@kevinr.3542 In the "Arc" vid before this one, trey cranks neil way up. What a guy!

[@buddyskinner1633]

Well said and y’all’s ability to verbalize it so knowledgeably

[@RustedTelevisione]

Still, to this day, one of the biggest regrets of my concert-going days! I was at this Farm Aid and once Neil finished Powderfinger my friends & I assumed it was a wrap, headed to the exits for the long car ride home. As we trudged through the parking lot we heard the faint sounds of cheers, then louder. And even louder still. Omg!!! Neil’s still playing. And maybe I heard what I thought was his epic Down By The River, or was it a mirage. The next day I read the news - Phish joins Neil Young for EPIC jam on Down By The River. And I missed it all! Doh!!! ✌🏻

[@kissmabass]

Omg that’s too bad at least you heard most of it

[@danielsartain8330]

Not to take anything away from Trey, but Neil is so raw and has such a unique sound and technique. Plus, he is one of the greatest song writers ever imo

[@sonofprovence]

This is a killer jam, wow, wow! Everybody had to stand up. Neil poured his soul so much into this one that he even lost his hat.

[@artvallejos1460]

Anyone else notice, Neil always brings out the best with whomever he's playing with.

[@yurkdawg]

Wow I am so glad this is still available. I was lucky enough to go to this. As a school-aged Phish fan I only went because Phish was my absolute favorite band, I live in Chicago (30 minutes from the venue) and I considered it to be a good cause and was happy to give my support. But I had low expectations knowing that Phish was not even headlining and would only play one short set. In addition, I thought I had "outgrown" the other acts. (I remember besides Phish and Neil Young, it included John Mellencamp and of course Willie Nelson.) Instead I found myself absolutely *adoring* every single act. Then of course there is this jam: often guest sit-ins are cool for the novelty but do not provide much depth. Instead, with no expectations, we were suddenly witnessing one of the greatest impromptu jams I at least have ever witnessed. I also remember us teenage/20-something Phish hippies completely and totally getting along with and even connecting/bonding with the older (and perhaps more conservative, not that that matters) Farm Aid crowd. To everyone I met that day, thank you, you helped me grow as a person and become more open-minded and accepting. That's what I meant when I said "not that it matters" in the last paragraph concerning political views. The good people I met there helped show me how wrong it is to equate morality with a political ideology.) I truly hope for the best to all of you! Thank you

[@RobertSlover]

neil young is a fearless guitar player so inspirational.

[@evillordsoth949]

Somewhere in a bar in Pennsylvania I got to watch this live. Good times.

[@dukeorlando]

Trey looks like he's having the time of his life!

[@jeffreyleeser859]

JESUS CHRIST - Neil looks SO GODDAM BADASS in this clip!! Like what Springsteen said - THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD!

[@jamesmack3314]

Fantastic jam and a jamfastic song....I remember slow dancing to this at my 8th grade graduation 1974!!

[@strangequark420]

Might be the most Type II Type I jam ever.

[@clintmoll6861]

Hahaha I like how you said that

[@johnmeyer2084]

They were listening hard to each other, that was really something.

[@fubarsaltdog6460]

No doubt! Cactus holding it down tight as usual!

[@lumaz71]

One hell of a jam. Too bad they didn't a Cd together. Oh, and Phish is the greatest band of the last 30 years. Hands off.

[@newusernamehere4772]

Coming up on the 40th anniversary and this is still true

[@newusernamehere4772]

If Zappa had kept his 74 band it would've been close

[@jnvrmind789]

Who couldn't just love this ?

[@theroadking547]

Imagine jamming with Neil Young

[@sybo7617]

Oh my God! No wonder why Trey talks so highly of this jam. Magnificent!!!

[@paulcooke1388]

Dont talk rubbish wonderful freeform guitar work neil never goes stail the mans a legend

[@thebrianlowrance]

I have been trying to tell people that Phish is just not the same anymore. Ever since they came back in the 2000's . 1998 Was the last stellar year!!!

[@truthawaits4u458]

Trey jumping around like a kid in a candy store! I love it!

[@jamlive6650]

Not to rain on the parade but he was prolly on something...

[@danbardos3498]

​@@jamlive6650he used to be way more animated during the early days

[@cspringer8143]

I was there every time I watch this it gives me goosebumps

[@dennisfaugh2976]

there's gotta be 200 recordings of this song, and they're all different....and AMAZING

[@genesmith8627]

PS: Anastasio is PROBABLY the Closest living guitarist to the Mantle of Clapton. SO Talented. SO Smooth........

[@luisramirez1161]

A timeless classic,loved it since day one, when I was younger,I always wondered what he did with the body? Keep rocking it as always Neil you've brought some great music into all our lives!!

[@liamsdad33]

he decided to stay in and keep rocking he don't fuck with the river anymore or that baby

[@dividedguy78]

best version ever.

[@kevinr.3542]

Trey explained during his recent solo tour how this was totally unplanned (in a way). Phish had learned Neil's song Powderfinger backstage but Neil claimed that he didn't really play that stuff anymore. then he went out during his solo acoustic set and played it alone LOL maybe he wasn't feeling collaborative at that point...trey said they felt all dejected and bummed backstage. Then phish is jamming, playing their set when Trey noticed a second guitar echoing out of the speakers. He turns around and sees Neil who had wandered on stage, grabbed Treys spare Languedoc and plugged it in! I like to think once he heard their set, he was impressed and had to jump in. So they just started off in a jam, then Neil brought it into Down By the River which they apparently had never played or practiced. Luckily they all seemed to know the changes! And If that's really true, that's impressive. When I hear Trey and Page nailing all the chords and vocals I can't help but wonder if Trey just knows how to tell a great story (stretch the truth a bit) and maybe they did discuss playing it or learned it breifly. But either way, great story and great jam

[@walterfish2]

It was a jam. Every musician worth his salt knows the changes and harmony and back up vocal parts to Down by the River. If you don't understand that and think the jam was rehearsed and planned, then you don't know squat and should stay in your lane man.......

[@brendanfoley1593]

Wally Hall your comment literally makes no sense

[@walterfish2]

@@brendanfoley1593 sure it does. Either you have big ears or you don't. But you probably don't know what that means either?

[@mrscottybergs]

Christ dude music is for listening not fighting, take one from Neil and roll another number man.

[@MrPatrickodonnell]

Wow, that hit the favorites list in less than a minute!

[@JayGonoe]

Was there !!! Very special evening

[@edspiegel1835]

When people ask me why I love music I bring up this video

[@MrBluesfromDBURGH]

And 12 years later on the other side of the world in a tiny dim lit backyard shed the vibes crank through a withered mans body with a fix of life ✌️peace to all

[@NateFoss]

14:00 ....jaws hit floor, faces melt, brain explodes.

[@Scotsgrey13]

These boys have some potential!

[@brikster00]

I like the cut of their jib.

[@notoriousqueenpigeon]

wow. i an soooo happy i found this!!!!!!!!! neil is the master of noize.

[@ling031065]

Long life to Neil & Trey

[@SingularHorizon]

neil young is such a bad ass

[@wlalmilton]

Can't believe I have never seen this. Great performance. Neil at his best and we get to listen to Phish.

[@Zoltarman]

He takes whatever guitar, no wizard pedal for what I can see and still.....He sounds like Neil Young :) Like he should.

[@kevinharrison3265]

The joy of making music is so apparent in their faces!👍❤️

[@JoeEgan]

How cool to find this. I was at this show -- and loved every second of this!!!

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Fuck yes!! Just goes to show that a guitar player will sound like themselves pretty much no matter the gear- Neil is playing through Trey's gear but he totally still has his 'sound'. I'd love to hear Phish do an album with Neil.

[@propjoe1060]

That would be insane. Pure and absolute jamming heaven!

[@JackOfAllAsses_]

WhatWouldHouseDo Agree

[@Doopes]

Watching this in July 2020, brings back so many good memories and reminds me of how timeless amazing jams/music can be :)

[@mikeryan9096]

With the short hair, Neil looks like a combination of Dave Matthews & Glen Campbell here. Great version.

[@jamesmack3314]

Mike Ryan tres bizarre

[@danbardos3498]

I used to have this on vhs. That's how old this show is. I can still remember playing it for the band I used to play with (we were all Phish heads) and my guitarist was convinced Niel was drunk lol.

[@ivanxVix]

@@danbardos3498 either drunk or high lol but still killed it

[@jm1072]

Friggin Fishman. He rules.

[@tw8454]

neil young playing one of treys original Languedocs is amazing

[@alexvimo8739]

🎊 A River Runs through It 🎊

[@OriginalBBQMaster]

One of the very best performances!

[@lotsoffish]

This totally kicks ass.

[@irie1tes]

I was here. Freshman in highschool. 1st time i saw Phish. Was on shrooms and accidentally asked a security guy that was lighting a cigarette to spark a joint for me. Doesnt feel like almost 25y ago.

[@lostvalleyramblers7048]

This is amazing

[@jimreardon5776]

They, they even mastered the dueling guitars. Can't wait to see them at MSG on Saturday!

[@JackOfAllAsses_]

Jim Reardon strawberry donut show?

[@sftravis]

Thanks for the video upgrade! Two of my favorite artists just crushing one of my favorite songs. Doesn't get much better than this. Cheers.

[@conniebee7935]

This is the most awesome thing ive heard in years ☮🎶☯🎵🕊🎧🌀🎼

[@bella53018]

Brings me joy down in my heart! Seems like yesterday 🙏💜

[@GabrielaRodriguez-yy6ky]

thank you thank you thank you!!!! Best Farm Aid ever!!!! (sooo do not like DMB, oh well!) I was there for the performance, soooo happy!!!! and then Willie Nelson comes out!!!

[@tw8454]

i really dont trust people that dont like dmb. for real. highly suspect

[@DukeAbacab]

my first phish show and also my favorite moment.

[@jessiev7383]

My first and only was Coventry. Phish's worst show ever

[@jefflove5829]

@@jessiev7383 luckily it's literally all uphill from there! Some of us had to witness the tragic decline in real time. On the plus side, they're better than ever these days. If you play the Coventry velvet sea followed by that first fluffhead when they came back from the hiatus I garuntee goosebumps. Or your money back!

[@pajefoster2494]

What a jam!!! Can you see the angels dancing above? Woohoo ... 👣🌊🌌

[@grahamwarne7407]

Was there for this, simply amazing!

[@tamkid70]

Was there, was epic ❤🎉⭕️🐟🔥

[@DrewberTravels]

That was so great... that 20 minutes flew by.

[@kurtheyer3605]

EPIC!!!

[@Budsport_TV]

It’s as if Trey and Neil were conjuring up an angelic jam being down by a river for a moment there.

[@timmccarthy4706]

As usual Neil rocks!

[@margaretstoner4701]

Priceless!❤

[@iancrawford1140]

i w..ian from oxford england.ish i could afford to donate ,maybe one day ,in the meantime keep the music going ,cos,it hi-lights the cause

[@LatteDude1]

Pure Bliss!

[@aaronkryzer2683]

Sick show 🔥

[@DAVINOENTERPRISES]

SO SICK!!!

[@noahachrem]

Badass!

[@markc.2958]

The "Space Jam" starting at 4:35 is gorgeous.

[@Knards]

jesus, what a jam.

[@haroldrankin2683]

Wow!?!?! Just under 69K?!?! C'mon Neil! You just came into 150 million!!!!! Share the wealth dude!!! Where's the hippie love???

[@robertciambra2359]

Neil is using one of Trey's guitars?

[@kellenkramer6434]

Robert Ciambra looks like it forsure

[@brentdrift]

Beat it nerd!

[@mywire]

Robert Ciambra evidently he just grabbed it!! Haha

[@dreemfreek]

@@mywire And DROPS it at the end!!

[@gregnazar9011]

Yes his oldest, or second oldest Languedoc if im not mistaken

[@truthawaits4u458]

I remember this ......they noodled and ended a song for 15 or 20 minutes before starting down by the river🤣. Neil Young came out and just took over🤣🤣🤣

[@nyrfan444]

Gordon quietly crushes this

[@gypsy4460]

Love this so much

[@alexkepley6650]

Pretty Awesome for sure!!!

[@Insanebeastbear]

The crowd looks so confused on whether to dance or just stand there with their jaws on the ground.

[@tbangert2584]

I was there in the pavilion that cold, drizzly day/night. Jaw met floor. It was freaking titanic.

[@cspringer8143]

I agree I was there ever time I watch this it gives me goosebumps

[@crosbypasses14]

"that was a jam jelly and a smear of peanut butter!"