SHARING THE SHOWS
Ahhhh, Pete, my resource for all things music. Thanks to Pete, I was able to attend a screening of Alabama Harvest, a documentary showing the recording sessions of Neil Young’s classic 1971 album, Harvest.
When I entered the Alamo Drafthouse, I was greeted with a cacophony of posters of classic movies (Chances Are was one I remember renting from the local video store when I went through a romantic comedy phase). When I sat down, I was greeted by a waiter who asked me if I wanted. It reminded me of my experience with Drew/Brometheus at Hampton’s Studio Movie Grille, where the waiters would bring food to moviegoers. I made sure to hide my almonds, dark chocolate, and Vitamin Water due to me having been busted (down on Bourbon Street) with snacks that last go-round. While we waited for the trailers to start, music filled the screen and speakers (“Come and Get Your Love” and “Hey Bo Diddley” being among them). We also were treated to a trailer for the new Matrix movie, as well as a mash-up of clips from Christmas movies past. The movie opened with a present-day Neil Young talking about his experience with the album, which preceded a shot of Broken Arrow Ranch, his dream house. I hadn’t listened to Harvest much (or a ton of Neil Young), but seeing the songs being recorded, as well as the backstage banter (including a temperamental Young chewing out a recording engineer, saying “What a hole that was” when there was a sudden stop in “Words”) was illuminating. A standout included a discussion of a “moving O” in “Alabama,” Neil’s subtle letter of disappointment in the Heart of Dixie. It was also cool to see the London Symphony Orchestra arranged for “A Man Needs a Maid” (which I interpret as a feminist anthem) and “There’s a World.” Young is a versatile musician; I loved seeing him on piano, guitar, and banjo. The shots of his ranch were amazing. At the age of 24, he was able to say, “I’m basically a rich hippie.” He indicated pure contentment having his space where he can bask. “Old Man” (“Twenty-four and there’s so much more”) was an appropriate closing. I did enjoy it, although I felt it could have been cut somewhat (I was nodding out a bit toward the man, although I heard him discussing how Merle Haggard was his most current influence). All in all, I’m glad I saw it, and I gained a new appreciation for Young.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2024
Categories |