Inside Neil Young's 'Harvest' At 50 | For The Record

Опубликовано 4 февраля 2022, 20:18

In this episode of For The Record, revisit Neil Young's 1972 breakout album 'Harvest' for its 50th anniversary and examine how the album contains beloved hits and curveballs alike. Featuring Young staples like "Out on the Weekend," "Old Man," "Heart of Gold," and "The Needle and the Damage Done" — as well as memorable guest spots from James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash — the album remains a touchstone of 1970s singer/songwriter music. Inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2015, 'Harvest' remains the best-selling album of 1972.

Released in February 1972, Harvest is Neil Young's fourth solo album.

Young compiled Harvest from multiple sources including a live, acoustic performance; a session with the London Symphony Orchestra; and songs cut at Broken Arrow Ranch and in Nashville. (Source: Neil Young Archives)

Most of the album features Young's backing band the Stray Gators, consisting of pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, pianist Jack Nitzsche, bassist Tim Drummond, and drummer Kenny Buttrey. (Source: Neil Young Archives)

The album also includes contributions from Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor as well as Young's former bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.

Harvest includes several songs that remain staples in Young's songbook, like "Heart of Gold," "Old Man" and the aching, lovely title track.

"The Needle and the Damage Done" is Young's stark lament about the pitfalls of heroin addiction: "I hit the city and I lost my band / I watched the needle take another man / Gone, gone, the damage done." (Source: Neil Young Archives)

Harvest was a massive commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 for two weeks. "Old Man" peaked at No. 31 on the Hot 100; "Heart of Gold" peaked at No. 1. It remains the best-selling album of 1972. (Sources: Allmusic, Billboard)

In 2015, Harvest was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. The album celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022. (Source: GRAMMY.com)

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