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NeilTest™ Vol. 8 – Cortez the Killer
The eighth volume of the NeilTest™ explores the ethereal, time-tripping classic “Cortez the Killer” – an expansive song that’s home to some of the artist’s most memorable guitar work.
To get a passing grade, you’ll need to know “Cortez” inside and out, as well as identify some of the best-played covers in circulation.
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The eighth volume of the NeilTest™ explores the ethereal, time-tripping classic “Cortez the Killer” – an expansive song that’s home to some of the artist’s most memorable guitar work.
To get a passing grade, you’ll need to know “Cortez” inside and out, as well as identify some of the best-played covers in circulation.
WARNING: This has a high degree of difficulty!
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You got 1 right out of 10 (10%) – It’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. There are worse things you could be doing.
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You got 2 right out of 10 (20%) – It’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. There are worse things you could be doing.
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You got 3 right out of 10 (30%) – It’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. And don’t forget to check out all the great “Cortez” covers out there. There are certainly worse ways to spend your time.
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You got 4 right out of 10 (40%) – It’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. And don’t forget to check out all the great “Cortez” covers out there. There are certainly worse ways to spend your time.
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You got 5 right out of 10 (50%) – It’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. And don’t forget to check out all the great “Cortez” covers out there. There are certainly worse ways to spend your time.
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You got 6 right out of 10 (60%) – Good news is you got more right than wrong. But it’s definitely time to dust off Zuma and blast out the neighbors. And don’t forget to check out all the great “Cortez” covers out there.
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You got 7 right out of 10 (70%) – Solid effort on a tough test!
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You got 8 right out of 10 (80%) –Well played, maestro. The mountaintop is in sight.
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You got 9 right out of 10 (90%) – Impressive effort on a tough test! You’re flying about as close to the sun as you can get without burning up.
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You got 10 right out of 10 (100%) – CRRRRUSHED it!! Once again, you’re at the top of the class.
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
In which year did Neil Young release “Cortez the Killer” and on which album did the studio version first appear? [Extra credit if you can explain how the album's title figures into the lyrics of "Cortez the Killer."]
Correct
1975, Zuma – It was Neil’s seventh studio album, and it’s co-credited to his longtime backing band, Crazy Horse.
Zuma peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200.
Extra credit: Zuma is contained in the name “MonteZUMA,” which is found in the lyrics to “Cortez the Killer”:
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wondered
With the secrets of the worldIncorrect
1975, Zuma – It was Neil’s seventh studio album, and it’s co-credited to his longtime backing band, Crazy Horse.
Zuma peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200.
Extra credit: Zuma is contained in the name “MonteZUMA,” which is found in the lyrics to “Cortez the Killer”:
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wondered
With the secrets of the world -
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
Neil’s solo work on the studio version of “Cortez the Killer” made it onto the list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Solos” (Guitar World). Where is Mr. Young’s solo ranked? [HINT: On the list, the "Cortez" solo falls between Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" and Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years."]
Correct
#39 – Neil is in good company. Some other notable solos floating in the same rarefied air include “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by the Beatles (featuring Eric Clapton) at #42 and Dickey Betts’ work in the Allman Brothers’ “Jessica” comes in at #47.
Incorrect
#39 – Neil is in good company. Some other notable solos floating in the same rarefied air include “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by the Beatles (featuring Eric Clapton) at #42 and Dickey Betts’ work in the Allman Brothers’ “Jessica” comes in at #47.
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
This live audio captures which guitarist’s “Cortez” solo? [HINT: Not only can he play the guitar solos, he's also been known to take the lead vocals if the opportunity presents itself.] [Extra credit if you can name the band the guitarist is sitting in with.]
Correct
Warren Haynes – He’s delivered many a monster “Cortez” solo, and this one with the Dave Matthews Band is no exception.
Warren can do it all. Not only does he lay down sick guitar solos, he’ll on occasion take lead vocals as well.
The audio above is from 2011 at the Gorge.
Incorrect
Warren Haynes – He’s delivered many a monster “Cortez” solo, and this one with the Dave Matthews Band is no exception.
Warren can do it all. Not only does he lay down sick guitar solos, he’ll on occasion take lead vocals as well.
The audio above is from 2011 at the Gorge.
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
The lyrics to “Cortez the Killer” do NOT contain which of the following references?
Correct
Gold treasures – The other references are contained in the following lines:
He came dancin’ across the water
With his GALLEONS AND GUNSLookin’ for the NEW WORLD
In that palace in the sunIn their clothes of many colors
For the ANGRY GODS to seeYoung has said in concert that he wrote “Cortez the Killer” while studying history in high school up in his native Canada.
Incorrect
Gold treasures – The other references are contained in the following lines:
He came dancin’ across the water
With his GALLEONS AND GUNSLookin’ for the NEW WORLD
In that palace in the sunIn their clothes of many colors
For the ANGRY GODS to seeYoung has said in concert that he wrote “Cortez the Killer” while studying history in high school up in his native Canada.
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
This audio captures which band/artist covering “Cortez”? [Extra credit if you can name the guitarist who's sitting in with the band.]
Correct
Grace Potter – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are a fixture on the summer music-festival circuit, and they’ve been known to cover “Cortez” from time to time.
Extra credit: The guitarist is Joe Satriani, who has toured with Mick Jagger as well as Deep Purple (after the departure of Ritchie Blackmore). Satriani began his career as a guitar instructor, teaching future stars like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett.
Incorrect
Grace Potter – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are a fixture on the summer music-festival circuit, and they’ve been known to cover “Cortez” from time to time.
Extra credit: The guitarist is Joe Satriani, who has toured with Mick Jagger as well as Deep Purple (after the departure of Ritchie Blackmore). Satriani began his career as a guitar instructor, teaching future stars like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett.
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
For a period of time, the song “Cortez the Killer” was banned in which country? [Extra credit if you know what the song was renamed when it was re-released post-ban.]
Correct
Spain – According to Young, the song “Cortez the Killer” was banned in Spain under the military dictator, General Francisco Franco, who ruled from 1939 until his death in 1975.
Cortez, of course, was a Spaniard, and we can only assume that General Franco did not take kindly to Mr. Young calling his celebrated ancestor a “killer.”
Zuma was released in Spain in its entirety following Franco’s death.
Extra credit: For the album’s release in Spain, “Cortez the Killer” was renamed simply “Cortez.”
Incorrect
Spain – According to Young, the song “Cortez the Killer” was banned in Spain under the military dictator, General Francisco Franco, who ruled from 1939 until his death in 1975.
Cortez, of course, was a Spaniard, and we can only assume that General Franco did not take kindly to Mr. Young calling his celebrated ancestor a “killer.”
Zuma was released in Spain in its entirety following Franco’s death.
Extra credit: For the album’s release in Spain, “Cortez the Killer” was renamed simply “Cortez.”
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
Which band is heard here playing “Cortez the Killer”? [HINT: Listen carefully to the audio.]
Correct
Built to Spill – It’s an indie band out of Boise, ID, formed in 1992. Singer Doug Martsch and the rest of the band channel their best Neil – and it sounds eerily similar to the original.
The live audio is (fittingly) from Built to Spill’s album, Live (2000). This particular version runs more than 20 minutes (Neil would approve).
Incorrect
Built to Spill – It’s an indie band out of Boise, ID, formed in 1992. Singer Doug Martsch and the rest of the band channel their best Neil – and it sounds eerily similar to the original.
The live audio is (fittingly) from Built to Spill’s album, Live (2000). This particular version runs more than 20 minutes (Neil would approve).
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
Here we have which TWO bands covering “Cortez the Killer”? [HINT: The audio is from 2009.] [Extra credit if you can name all the guitarists on the stage.]
Correct
Allman Brothers Band & Widespread Panic – It’s an embarrassment of riches with guitar greats Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring teaming up.
The audio is from Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Texas.
Extra credit: Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring and John Bell.
Incorrect
Allman Brothers Band & Widespread Panic – It’s an embarrassment of riches with guitar greats Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring teaming up.
The audio is from Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Texas.
Extra credit: Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring and John Bell.
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
As the leading character in Neil’s song, Hernán Cortés conquered which empire in which country?
Correct
Aztec Empire, Mexico – Cortés, one of the most famous conquistadors, conquered the Aztec Empire for Spain in 1521.
He came dancin’ across the water
With his galleons and guns
Lookin’ for the new world
In that palace in the sunIncorrect
Aztec Empire, Mexico – Cortés, one of the most famous conquistadors, conquered the Aztec Empire for Spain in 1521.
He came dancin’ across the water
With his galleons and guns
Lookin’ for the new world
In that palace in the sun -
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
Here we have which artist’s “Cortez” solo? [Extra credit if you can name the live album it's on.]
Correct
Neil Young – Yep, that’s the Godfather of Grunge himself.
Extra credit: The audio is from Neil’s double album, Live Rust (1979).
Incorrect
Neil Young – Yep, that’s the Godfather of Grunge himself.
Extra credit: The audio is from Neil’s double album, Live Rust (1979).
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