Neil Young's haunting voice rocks this sublime collection of country-tinged rock that feels like a visit from an old friend every time you put it on. Harvest yielded Young's only Number One hit, "Heart of Gold," and helped set the stage for the Seventies country-rock explosion -- both James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt sing on the album. Along with Young, they were in Nashville to appear on Johnny Cash's variety show the week that Harvest was cut with an odd group of accomplished session players that included bassist Tim Drummond, who had played with James Brown. The sound was so manly and gutsy -- steel guitar, slide guitar, banjo -- stripped down and rebuilt with every jagged edge exposed. The standout tracks include "Alabama", "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold"; but every song is satisfying to thirsty ears. Harvest was chosen as the 78th greatest album of all time by the editors of Rolling Stone magazine in 2003. I'd rank this album much higher than that. I was so thankful to get a CD of this album for Christmas after not having a turntable to spin my old vinyl copy on during these last 12 years. Oh, it sounds as fine as ever....thanks heaps to Tara for the bucks:)
2005-12-30
Harvest: another manly album for a manly man
Neil Young's haunting voice rocks this sublime collection of country-tinged rock that feels like a visit from an old friend every time you put it on. Harvest yielded Young's only Number One hit, "Heart of Gold," and helped set the stage for the Seventies country-rock explosion -- both James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt sing on the album. Along with Young, they were in Nashville to appear on Johnny Cash's variety show the week that Harvest was cut with an odd group of accomplished session players that included bassist Tim Drummond, who had played with James Brown. The sound was so manly and gutsy -- steel guitar, slide guitar, banjo -- stripped down and rebuilt with every jagged edge exposed. The standout tracks include "Alabama", "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold"; but every song is satisfying to thirsty ears. Harvest was chosen as the 78th greatest album of all time by the editors of Rolling Stone magazine in 2003. I'd rank this album much higher than that. I was so thankful to get a CD of this album for Christmas after not having a turntable to spin my old vinyl copy on during these last 12 years. Oh, it sounds as fine as ever....thanks heaps to Tara for the bucks:)
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3 comments:
indeed, I agree that this album is a must. I do think however, that Neil's voice, though wonderful, cannot be honestly described as 'manly' it is sweet and cracking, though lacking in confidence and often very high.
in any case, I love this album, my sister has a record player that works, but I only have the CD. I love needle and the damage done, harvest, and heart of gold.
see you tomorrow!
Keep on rockin' in the free world, Thomas, and praying for all us sinners!
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