"HARVEST MOON" NEIL YOUNG (1992)

Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

Twenty years after he released Harvest, Neil Young was back at it again with a similar motif. “Harvest Moon” is my favorite Neil Young track of all time. It’s that rare musical gem that does what it says and says what it does.

Every element of the song captures the ethereal mood so well—from Linda Ronstadt’s beautiful background vocals to the quiet steel guitar to the soft brush strokes on drums. Every element pulls you in and puts into that idyllic moonlit moment on that unspoiled night.

“We could dream this night away.”

"HEART OF GOLD" NEIL YOUNG (1972)

Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

I think of Neil Young primarily as a solo artist who just happened to insert himself into a couple of band lineups from time to time, most notably with Buffalo Springfield and CSN&Y. But really, Young has flown solo for most of his career—and he’s done it on his own terms.

His harmonica, tenor voice and guitar work are all signature elements of the rock & roll landscape. And they all came together so naturally and so simply on “Heart of Gold”. It was a bad back that forced Young to put down his electric axe, pick up his acoustic guitar and create some of the most well-known work of his career. Any song that’s envied by Bob Dylan has to be considered a great one.

“I want to live. I want to give. I've been a miner. For a heart of gold.”

"MY MY, HEY HEY" NEIL YOUNG (1979)

The godfather of grunge was often at his best with the slow, acoustic stuff. In other words, the stuff that sounds nothing like the early strands of grunge. Simple acoustic strumming. Some of Neil Young’s most memorable lyrics. And his signature harmonica. Proof that sometimes the simplest of songs are often the best.

“It's better to burn out than to fade away.”