Song of the week: Harvest moon

I guess no-one was expecting nothing like that from Neil Young. It was 1992 and for the last 15 years he had become a kind of wild rebel, angry with the world, revered for the youngs and selling less and less records. But suddenly, as his classic record 'Harvest' turned 20 years old, Young went back and wrote another beautiful record of acoustic ballads, 'Harvest Moon'. And, by far, the best of all was the title one: a track that has one of his finest melodies crafted with warm and wise lyrics about love and the pass of the time. The first time I heard it I just thought it was a good song. Now, for me, it's a classic.

Harvest Moon Unplugged - Neil Young

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Song of the week: You broke my heart

Not truly original, or innovative, it ain't the key moment in some relevant group history, but this song by Lavender Diamond has magic. Included in the The calvary of light EP, it shows the same innocence as the first Belle & Sebastian records and some kind of religious feeling, as if it was based on an appalachian theme. Looking at the basic structures, all the songs by Lavender Diamond share the same style. At the same time all look pale by his side.

You Broke My Heart - Lavender Diamond
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Song of the week: Crusin'

By 1979 Smokey Robinson already was a living legend. His music numbers with The Miracles (great songs such as 'You really got a hold on me', 'The tracks of my tears' or 'Tears of a clown'), or another Motown acts, as 'My girl' (The temptations) or 'My guy' (Mary Welles) are true classics. He had even started a career as single artist that included critically acclaimed LPs like Smokey or Quiet Storm.

So, he had nothing to prove. But he did. 'Cruisin´', included in the LP Where there's smoke is his last great song, an example of elegant sensuality that would fit perfectly in Marvin Gaye' records as Let's get it on or Here, my dear. A laidback song full of mellow arrangements that still shows rhythm.

D'Angelo included a version of this song in his debut, Brown sugar.

Crusin - Smokey Robinson
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