Neil Young's 1992 "Harvest Moon" is the followup to his most commercially successful album "Harvest" -- some 20 years later.
So why is a Harvest Moon so special to Neil Young fans?
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.
If you take a look at the comments on YouTube for Neil Young's "Harvest Moon", you begin to better understand the song's intense emotional draw and deep resonance across the generations and over the decades.
With nearly 100 million views and 22,000+ comments, it is the most popular Neil Young song on YouTube. Some example comments on "Harvest Moon"'s appeal :
Many may recall back in 2008, when Steve and his girlfriend Danielle made a request for "Harvest Moon" to played when Neil Young visited Brisbane, Australia. And by some extremely wonderfully little miracle, Neil Young actually did perform "Harvest Moon" that night and it brought a tear of joy for many around the world.
Then in 2009, Gavin in Ireland Requested "Harvest Moon" in memory of his father. Wish granted. And shortly thereafter, another Wish for "Harvest Moon" was Granted to Liza in Germany.
So we here at Thrasher's Wheat hold the song and this night very dearly.
3 fans that we've never met, on 3 continents touched by Harvest Moon
magic. We know that some of you may not understand.
Also, see:
Moons and Neil Young Songs by Anne - Lady of Northern Moons
Review: Neil Young's Dreamin' Man - A live "Harvest Moon" album.
Also, here's a collection of album reviews and commentary of Neil Young's Harvest Moon.
Harvest Moon review in FUNHOUSE! by Uncle Dave and track listing
- Neil Young Songs on Moons
"Harvest Moon"
Neil Young: Silver and Gold
Bass Concert Hall, Austin, Texas
I was at that Brisbane concert and it was indeed a beautiful moment during a wonderful concert.
ReplyDeleteI saw Neil on this tour with a brother and sister who were the kids of a good friend of mine. They were both Neil fans, but had never seen him live before. He played the entire Harvest Moon album, yet it it hadn’t been released yet. This was at the Civic Auditorium in Portland Oregon, which was designed specifically for orchestral music, so the acoustics were just spectacular. This was the same venue where I saw Talking Heads on their Stop Making Sense tour. Both shows were brilliant of course.
ReplyDeleteAfter the show they both said that they had hoped to hear more of Neil’s hits, and I explained to them that they were actually really blessed to hear his new material live, and they would understand after the album was released. When the album finally came out, they both called me to say that they now understood exactly what I had meant. To this day when I play this record, I think of those two kids, and wonder what they’re up to.
As a footnote : the recording of Natural Beauty on Harvest Moon was actually recorded at that same show (with overdubs), and it has recently become available without the overdubs on NYA. What a privilege to hear it in all its glory the way it was that night.
Peace 🙏
@ SkyandStars - that's awesome you were @ Brisbane and experienced that beautiful moment.
ReplyDeletethey seemed like a wonderful couple. hope they're doing well.
If Steve and Danielle are out there, drop us a line and let us know how you're doing and if all your HM dreams came true.
@ Dan - thanks for sharing that HM memory. So many out there touched by the song's magic.
shine on you crazy moon