Album Appreciation: "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young

"Here I am with this old guitar, doin` what I do."

As the summer months are rapidly approaching, I once again feel an urge to rekindle my love with Neil Young's gorgeous 1992 album, entitled "Harvest Moon". In keeping with his "Neil does whatever the fuck Neil wants to do when Neil wants to do" Attitude, he survived his unholy 1991 tour in rare form and did a bit of a 180 degree turn, stripping down to country rock arrangements and heartbreaking songs that evoke the bittersweet nostalgia of a July evening. Young put his early `90's incarnation of Crazy Horse to rest, revisiting his Stray Gators lineup while inviting backup singers Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, among others, for the ride. The record is generally regarded as a sequel of sorts to 1972's "Harvest", and yet I find it to be superior in every way. While "Harvest Moon" will never be looked upon as the most original or influential Neil Young recording, every single song seems to move me in some way and the whole affair reeks of quiet sincerity. {On a relevant sidenote, some critics have heralded his 2005 release "Prairie Wind" as a throwback to the "Harvest Moon" style, whereas that record merely reeks of boredom and only succeeded in making me tired.}

Much of the album deals with Neil's reflections on his personal relationships as he transitioned into middle age. For example, "You and Me", one of many gentle tunes backed by nothing but an acoustic guitar, quite clearly addresses his wife Pegi ("I was thinking `bout and me/Making love beneath the tree..." He sure ain't talking about Ralph Molina!) The title track is a similarly beautiful stroll, rounded out by "Oooohhhh" backing harmonies and an open invitation to "dream this night away" and "go dancing in the light". Of course it's cheesy; yet Neil provides the cheese with such honest emotion, as usual, and I find it irresistable.

"One Of These Days" is another acoustic ditty, built around three or four chords that I could play, yet it only sounds right when Neil's playing. Here, Neil ponders the memories made with his friends, and considers "sitting down and writing a long letter...", a sincere enough sentiment. Or consider "Unknown Legend", a wistful stalker ode to a funky diner waitress. Or the lovely "From Hank to Hendrix", which is both musically and lyrically simplistic yet never sounding uninspired or trivial. Many of these songs also found new life on the underappreciated "Unplugged" release from 1993.

"War of Man" is perhaps the darkest moment, a foray into vaguely political territory, whereas "Such A Woman" is quite clearly the "A Man Needs A Maid" of the record. Once again, Neil puts on his favorite romantic suit and employs an orchestra for the occasion.

Continuing the theme of relationships, "Old King" provides a lovely, country-tinged ode to a dearly departed canine:

"Then I thought about the times we had
Once when I kicked him when he was bad
Old King sure meant a lot to me
But that hound dog is history."

Lastly, the ten+ minute closer "Natural Beauty" is arguably the finest song on here, elevating the album from merely enjoyable to essential status for this Neil Young fan. The live performance merely adds to the spontaneous vibe of the album, and the song is mostly based around a haunting chord change accentuated by the strong harmonica flourishes. Neil takes the audience through a "roller coaster ride" of imagery and emotion, all the while reminding that "a natural beauty should be preserved like a momument to nature."

Conclusively speaking, it's true that Neil preceded this record with the deafening roar of "Weld" and followed it with the darkly diverse "Sleeps With Angels" (not counting the aforementioned Unplugged recording), and yet "Harvest Moon" remains satisfying as a time capsule of sorts to some of Neil Young's most quietly personal recordings, and as a soundtrack to my own bittersweet summer evening. I, for one, am glad it exists.

Title track:

Neil looks pretty: