Recently I discovered Neil Young and the peak of his career commercially is “Harvest” from 1972. Biggest hit from the album is “Heart Of Gold” starring Linda Rondstadt and James Taylor on backing vocals. Neil was a true hippy living on a ranch that was taken care of while not at home by Louis Avilla. About him he wrote the song “Old Man” in whom he recognised himself. Another song was written about his guitarist Danny Whitten who didn’t play on this album anymore because of his heavy use of drugs in “The Needle And The Damage Done”. Later that year Danny died because of an overdose. Its one of the best songs of the album with only one complaint. The fact that it concerns a live version of that song which is too short only 2 minutes. In “A Man Needs A Maid” he sings about actress Carrie Snodgress in the movie “Diary Of A Mad Housewife” who was plaing a part he could understand. Neil started a relation with her and also married her eventually. On “Alabama” we could hear David Crosby and Stephen Stills doing their typical harmonies. The song itself was about that specific state which was answered by Lynard Skynard in “Sweet Home Alabama” referring to Neil directly in the lyrics. Strange is the use of an orchestra on “There’s A World” and “A Man Needs A Maid”. The overall mood is very accoustic and a Nashville kinda sound.
Harvest
Out On The Weekend / Harvest / A Man Needs A Maid / Heart Of Gold / Are You Ready For The Country / Old Man / There’s A World / Alabama, The Needle And The Damage Done (Live) / Words (Between The Lines Of Age)