With its breezy title, I expected this memoir by rock legend Neil Young's father to be a grab-bag of anecdotes, and so it is, in parts. However, in many ways it also aspires to be a full biography. The author's main intent probably was to give his readers an intimate portrait of his son, and in this he largely succeeds, especially if the reader accepts that the main insight to be had is that Neil Young is a very enigmatic individual. Actually, though, the book is even better at describing the inner workings of a rock tour or recording session; this veteran journalist does a fine job with several fly-on-the wall accounts of both. The book eventually drags itself down a bit with excruciatingly detailed descriptions of the Youngs' various therapy regimens for their handicapped son and their charitable activities for the similarly afflicted. Together with the book's biographical aspirations, involuted family squabbles, and quite a bit of the author's own triumphs and tragedies as novelist, journalist, and family man, it makes for a lengthy book which may eventually wear out its welcome from readers who are not Young obsessives. ( )

Where Scott Young is relying on his memory of the early life and career of his son, Neil, this book is only moderately valuable: the story is fairly well known and occasionally decorated by Young's personal reminiscences about Neil and his own role (particularly in separating from Neil's mother). But the book really comes into its own in the later parts. By this time Scott Young was planning the book (Neil apparently assented by saying, 'Daddy, it's your life, too') and kept notes from his interactions with his son. These parts are poignant and well-observed, dealing with Neil's extraordinary efforts to deal effectively with his second son's extreme cerebral palsy, and finally with the time Scott spent tagging along with Neil's 1983 'Shocking Pinks' tour. Three generations of Youngs are portrayed with respect and love as Scott comes to terms with the different frailties they all have. ( )