Music review: Neil Young – 鈥楬arvest (50th Anniversary Edition)鈥�
Oh, how time flies. It鈥檚 hard to believe it was 50 years ago that I discovered the genius of Neil Young after listening to my oldest brother鈥檚 copy of the artist鈥檚 1972 release.
Prior to that, I was a mere six years of age when I heard my brother repeatedly playing 鈥淎fter the Gold Rush鈥� on the family stereo. The 1970 release was certainly one of Young鈥檚 crowning achievements with memorable tracks like 鈥淥nly Love Can Break Your Heart,鈥� 鈥淪outhern Man鈥� and 鈥淲hen You Dance I Can Really Love.鈥� Even at such a young age, I knew a good tune when I heard it.
鈥淗arvest鈥� followed and continued my affection for the singer-songwriter鈥檚 earthy arrangements filled with profound lyrics and inviting melodies.
Opening with a somber depiction of a lonely wanderer on 鈥淥ut on the Weekend,鈥� Young takes listeners on an emotional journey that touches on sadness, loss, love, isolation and the constant search for a heart of gold.
Speaking of gold, 鈥淗eart of Gold鈥� is one of Young鈥檚 most successful arrangements and features backing vocals by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. It鈥檚 a signature track that speaks to the giving and receiving of love.
Taylor and Ronstadt return to lend their beautiful voices to the reflective sentiment of 鈥淥ld Man.鈥� Written about the caretaker of Young鈥檚 new ranch at the time, the track ponders the meaning of life and a purposeful existence.
Based on Young鈥檚 experiences on the road, 鈥淭he Needle and the Damage Done鈥� is a cutting and heartbreaking number about loss and addiction as Young declares, 鈥淚 hit the city and I lost my band/I watched the needle take another man/Gone, gone, the damage done.鈥�
An added flavoring of grace and fragility by the London Symphony Orchestra is featured on 鈥淎 Man Needs a Maid鈥� and 鈥淭here鈥檚 a World,鈥� demonstrating another side to Young鈥檚 masterful arrangements.
This reissue of 鈥淗arvest鈥� proves to be an endearing trip down memory lane and a reminder of what makes Young one of the great singer-songwriters of our time.
The special edition also includes a 1971 BBC concert set as well as three outtakes from the 鈥淗arvest鈥� sessions, making this a wonderful gift for the music lover on your holiday list.