Neil Young - Harvest Moon (CD)

Description:

Neil Young's sequel to 1972's HARVEST found him reuniting with the Stray Gators and inviting along a few other famous friends. Unlike the Crazy Horse's sonic bludgeoning, the Gators' light playing featured ethereal-sounding pedal steel and harmonies that caressed like a gentle lover. This was the perfect compliment for Young's songwriting, which was fueled by romantic notions of courtship and deep thought. Young and the late Nicolette Larson harmonised and became the lovers of "You And Me" whereas Jack Nitzsche's string arrangements made for a nice contrast in "Such A Woman", a bold-faced declaration of love. Other insights into the normally cranky iconoclast's sentimental side include the delicate touch of the title track, which leaves an image of slow-dancing in a dark corner. Fast approaching 50, Neil Young also used HARVEST MOON to reflect back on his life, particularly in the biographical "One Of These Days", and "From Hank To Hendrix", a twangy sequel to "My My, Hey Hey (Of The Blue)". Young also continued his commitment to the environment by including both a protest against man's destruction of nature ("War Of Man") and a live tribute to the forest and jungles recorded at a Portland, Oregon performance that included sounds of the Brazilian rainforest ("Natural Beauty".)