#72 Neil Young, 'Harvest' (1972)
Previously #82
The 6th entry by Neil Young and I suspect his last, because how do you top ‘Harvest’? Surely his magnum opus. Following the breakup of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Neil Young put together a group of Country Rock musicians called the Stray Gators, which included Jack Nitzsche, known for his work with The Rolling Stones and Neil Young’s previous works. Opening with ‘Out On The Weekend,’ we’re eased into the record; Neil Young’s voice sounding better than ever. The title track is a lazy honky song, trotting along at the pace of a slow horse. Then we get to track 3, ‘A Man Needs A Maid.’ Perhaps questionable lyrics which have always confused me a bit, the melody is haunting and the song is epic thanks to the accompaniment of the London Symphony Orchestra. And then we hear the familiar acoustic guitar melody of the next song before the iconic harmonica comes in. ‘Heart Of Gold’ is arguably Neil Young’s most famous song. In fact, I’ll take it one step further and boldly say that it IS his most famous song. ‘Heart Of Gold’ was Neil Young’s only career #1 single. The sweet backing vocals were contributed by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. This record is so diverse. Of the first 4 tracks, each is completely different to the next, yet they work so well together. Side 1 ends with ‘Are You Ready For The Country,’ which sounds to me like a reimagining of the famous Blues standard, ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’.’
Side 2 opens with ‘Old Man,’ another Neil Young great, which once again features Taylor and Ronstadt on backing vocals, as well as a unique banjo solo by Taylor. This song bears new meaning listening to it now as Neil Young is now the titular old man in the song. ‘There’s A World’ is the most bombastic song on the record, and possibly the most bombastic within his catalogue; another feature from the London Symphony Orchestra. It’s a film score within an album. I love the chorus of ‘Alabama.’ Such a great rock song. So great, in fact, it inspired Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ ‘The Needle and the Damage Done’ is one of the most painful songs of Neil Young’s career, a song about the effects of heroin on many musicians in the ‘70s. Young was watching many of his friends killing themselves with heroin, more specifically Crazy Horse guitarist, Danny Whitten and roadie, Bruce Berry. Whitten would die a few months after the release of this album, while Berry would die just over a year later. “I sing the song because I love the man/I know that some of you don't understand/Milk blood to keep from running out/I've seen the needle and the damage done/A little part of it in everyone/But every junkie's like a settin' sun.” ‘Harvest’ ends with its longest song, ‘Words (Between The Lines Of Age),’ featuring a ripping guitar solo from Neil Young drawing to a close a perfect record. ‘Harvest’ was the best-selling album in the US in 1972, edging out artists such as Led Zeppelin, Paul Simon and Elton John.
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