Music review: Neil Young – ëƵHarvest (50th Anniversary Edition)ëƵ
Oh, how time flies. ItëƵs hard to believe it was 50 years ago that I discovered the genius of Neil Young after listening to my oldest brotherëƵs copy of the artistëƵs 1972 release.
Prior to that, I was a mere six years of age when I heard my brother repeatedly playing ëƵAfter the Gold RushëƵ on the family stereo. The 1970 release was certainly one of YoungëƵs crowning achievements with memorable tracks like ëƵOnly Love Can Break Your Heart,ëƵ ëƵSouthern ManëƵ and ëƵWhen You Dance I Can Really Love.ëƵ Even at such a young age, I knew a good tune when I heard it.
ëƵHarvestëƵ followed and continued my affection for the singer-songwriterëƵs earthy arrangements filled with profound lyrics and inviting melodies.
Opening with a somber depiction of a lonely wanderer on ëƵOut on the Weekend,ëƵ 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, ëƵHeart of GoldëƵ is one of YoungëƵs most successful arrangements and features backing vocals by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. ItëƵs 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 ëƵOld Man.ëƵ Written about the caretaker of YoungëƵs new ranch at the time, the track ponders the meaning of life and a purposeful existence.
Based on YoungëƵs experiences on the road, ëƵThe Needle and the Damage DoneëƵ is a cutting and heartbreaking number about loss and addiction as Young declares, ëƵI hit the city and I lost my band/I watched the needle take another man/Gone, gone, the damage done.ëƵ
An added flavoring of grace and fragility by the London Symphony Orchestra is featured on ëƵA Man Needs a MaidëƵ and ëƵThereëƵs a World,ëƵ demonstrating another side to YoungëƵs masterful arrangements.
This reissue of ëƵHarvestëƵ 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 ëƵHarvestëƵ sessions, making this a wonderful gift for the music lover on your holiday list.

