Harvest - Neil Young

A classic album in any language. Neil Young's Harvest proved the immense talent of one of music's all time greats. Released in 1972 the album went to number 1 and was the best selling album of the year. It contains the immediately recognisable songs, Heart of gold, Old Man and The Needle and The Damage Done and was produced by Neil Young and Jack Nitszche among others. Nitzesche wrote the soundtracks for One Flew Over the Cookoo's nest and the Exorcist and is husband to Buffy Sainte-Marie.

The Needle and the Damage Done is a lament for crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitman's who died from a heroin overdose. It is performed live on the album and is aching to listen to, with Neil Young's fragile vocals giving a depth to every word of the song. Heart of Gold was Young's only every Number 1 and he later
wrote that Heart Of Gold put him in the middle of the road saying that
traveling there became a bore so he headed for the ditch, a rougher
ride but with more interesting people. Interestingly the song has
James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt on backing vocals. The song Alabama on
Harvest incensed Lynard Skinard enough to write their own hit Sweet Home Alabama
as a rebuke to Neil Young's critical description of the state. The
beautiful Old Man was written for the caretaker of Young's ranch.

Young's abilities were showcased on this album. His lyrical genius
shines throughout every song The sweeping orchestration on When a Man
Needs A Maid and There's a Word prove how far Young would go to
fulfilling his vision drafting in the London Symphony Orchestra to
provide the strings. Some think the album is over lauded however it
would not be a Neil young album if it were not difficult.

Track Listing
1. Out On The Weekend
2. Harvest
3. Man Needs A Maid, A
4. Heart Of Gold
5. Are You Ready For The Country
6. Old Man
7. There's A World
8. Alabama
9. Needle And The Damage Done, The - (live)
10. Words (Between The Lines Of Age)