The guy using the broom is Neil’s long time guitar tech, Larry Cragg. He no longer tours with Neil but is a gem of a guy and has hooked me up with lots of picks at the end of concerts over the years.

I like that you, too, admired and succumed to "Harvest Moon" in ONLY a way Neil Young can perform it so excellently well. Thank you for sharing your expert thoughts. You have a wealth of knowledge that can explain why his music sounds so beautiful. Mahalo. Aloha from Hawai'i...

The entire Harvest Moon album is amazing, and I listen to it just about every year around this time... such a beautiful album.

Ben Keith played for Neil Young for 40 years. He also played for Patsy Cline, Faron Young, Emmy Lou Harris, Ringo Starr, The Band, Todd Rundgren, JJ Cale, Linda Ronstand, Warren Zevon, Johnny Cash, and he produced Jewel's debut album, "Pieces of You" which is a 12 time platinum album.

Imagine being able to put “Neil Young’s broom player” on your resume.

He is in drop D. I drop the low E only. I end my solo sets with this wonderful song and I do it with my full band. It's great this time of year because of the figurative lyric as well as the beautiful moon in our sky above.

Because of my admiration for Neil Young, In 1974 my girlfriend bought me my first guitar a Takamine F360S. Still playing it today. In 1989, while eating sushi at Isobune restaurant in Burlingame, Ca, Neil Young and his wife Pegi, walked in and sat directly across the sushi bar from us. At the conclusion of my meal, I walked around the bar, approached the couple and said, "Hello Mr. Young, I want to let you know you are the reason I picked up a guitar. Thank You! He looked up and gave me a nod.

I play this song in a band and yes, you got the triads right. The Harmonic just does the bottom three strings on the 12th fret and then to the E on the A string at the 7th fret. Fun song to play.

One of my favorite things about MP is how he ties important life lessons into his reactions to music. The applause at 9:00 is so perfectly timed after he gives us the key takeaway. Thanks for another great lesson.

That's an all time favorite song of mine, particularly this version. Love the vocals, the ghost-train backing vocals, that freakin' broom!

This has such deep feels because it was written directly from the heart/soul.

Love how Michael explains how he figures out the sounds he is hearing. Also showing the little embellishments that improve the song. Finally tying what we love about this song to life and song writing is powerful. Well done!!!

That beautiful simplicity can be called elegance

He catches the root on the harmonic at the 7th fret A string, I was hoping they would show the guy play it just once for you. Nils Lofgren by the way.

Awesome! Myself and a couple good friends get together two or three times a year to jam, this song is always a must! Anyone in the vicinity that can dance has to!

I don’t play any instruments but it is so interesting watching you break it down. I love watching how the music truly moves you

Love your channel. I don’t play any instruments but man do I love music. From Neil Young to AC/DC. From Anne Murray to CCR. From Johnny Cash to Luke Coombs. From Air Supply to The Cars. From the Beatles to The Stones. From my Sony Walkman to my MP3 player. And now KZfaq allows me to watch all of it.

I absolutely love this song. I play it on my acoustic. It’s one of my favorite songs by Neil Young.

This was our wedding tune back in 95. Our friends blues band learned this w/ broom as an acoustic set 12 string , fretless acoustic base and harmonica.

Love you Mike - this was our first dance at our wedding. Still magical

the broom was used in the bar room setting in the official video from the early 90's. Great video !

Just found and bought this CD in a local record store near me! How can you not love, “Natural Beauty” Great upload!

Excellent song choice and when I saw your title I absolutely had to hear what you'd say about it. I was not disappointed. Thanks!

Another of those songs that would work beautifully with just Neil, his Martin and a harmonica. Throw in the rest of the accompaniment and it becomes true work of art.

I wish your observation about simplicity was shared by more players. The art is indeed in communicating simply, which in my opinion, is mastered by David Gilmore. Not suggesting that Gilmore's playing is "simple" by any means, but his ability to convey emotion without technical flash has always amazed me. Like Van Gogh's painting. Not technically acute, but perfect in it's communication of mood and atmosphere.

the best neil reaction video I have seen

You got to hear one of the songs an order one “cinnamon girl“ Neil Young is a classic

Dude love your channel and your passion for music and hearing the little things that most people miss or don’t realize what the musician is doing to connect with our ears. Thank you for your channel

Neil did this show at his own expense. He wasn't happy with the way the original taping in NYC turned out, so he did the whole thing again in LA, and this time including Nils Lofgren...as usual, he did the right thing lol

This is absolutely fantastic...and the way you explained the simplicity is exactly it. You're always so good at putting words to the feeling of the Music. Keep on keeping on.

Love our series when it hits acoustic guitar! I can still remember back, back, back when i was but a bairn and discovered Neil Young on acoustic guitar. It really changed everything for me.

lesson to yalls = even on his most sleepy of days, Neil Young is a guitar wizard

One of my all time favorite songs. Thank you!

Hey Michael. Just want to say thanks for introducing me to Kingfish. Saw him tonight and he was a treat!

Absolutely love the way you describe music, and all your reactions are so thoughtful and deep.

Love this video. Thank you for all the great content Michael!

you HAVE to watch the music video Neil made for this song!

Love to hear him disect Calling Elvis, dire straits. Incredible outro.

One of my all time favorite songs!!

I've only seen Neil live once, and it was during this tour while I was in college in 92 or 93. It is easily in my top-5 shows of all time as far as pure musical experience. Neil is such an amazing songwriter and musician. His entire body of work is remarkable. There isn't a weak track on the entire "Harvest Moon" album. I still listen to it all the way through every once in a while and it is still as fresh as the first time. Thanks Neil.

Great react! This is my favorite Neil Young. Listen to 1962 Everly Brothers Walk Right Back to hear the original riff

It's all summed up in the little smile that Neil gives us at the end.

Neils right hand never stops. King of the chucking sound.

Good analysis to an excellent Neil Young song. How I play the pedal steel harmonics part: String: e b g D D 12 14

Was thinking about this today, thanks for putting it into words ...

The broom brushing the barn floor at harvest is a great rhythmic instrument.

Beautiful words Michael, enjoyed this one a lot

Wow… love this album, song and young.. this is great!

I’m so happy I found this channel. You’re so much fun to watch, your insight is fantastic and your theory knowledge is great. Sending love from Michigan State University!

You are a great resource , Michael! Thank you.

Drop D. Low harmonic on the 7th fret.

This incredible Neil tune has been analyzed by at least 25 KZfaqrs…the broom is famous in this tune…it’s been there since day one…it’s dropped D… His solo version on the Tonite Show with Jay Leno (of all places) is my favorite version…

Young is a master of double drop D tuning.

I believe the harmonics are played on open tuned resophonic guitar (not pedal steel), Em arpeggio.

Such a heartfelt analysis of a beautiful song, thank you, I subscribed right away.

excellent break down, thank you

Beautiful! Thank you!

Literally was talking (debating) some friends about that simplicity principle regarding Ode to Joy at a wedding this past weekend. Dug this one. Big fan of neil and had my guitar out while watching.

Larry Cragg is the guy on the Broom. He's been Neil's guitar tech for probably 50 years, He also played in Neil's movie and play called Greendale. The Pedal Steel player is one of the greatest ever, his name is Ben Keith, but Neil calls him "Long Grain" He first played with Neil on the Harvest album.

And the beautiful love-letter lyrics……so simple with so much heart

Nice Vid Micheal! Much appreciated the philosophical mention

I know almost nothing about playing the guitar but Harvest Moon is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and I always enjoy hearing it again. If you haven't seen the Heart Of Gold concert, the rendition there with EmmyLou Harris is phenomenal. And the recording is impressive as well. I enjoyed your philosophical tangent on resolution, maturity and simplicity. As one of your more mature subscribers, I can attest. Thanks for the oldie, but goodie.

Forever Young !!! I love to play this song, drop D and harmonics 12h and 7th strings. 💕💕

So well said & articulation of Neil Young!

Great stream!!!

5:20 genuine reaction to that lovely part. Always react the same way.

Thanks for this review, Michael! This is one of my favorite acoustic songs to play/sing. You got close to figuring it out "on the fly". I wish you would have talked about the difficulty and options of playing normal cords (G in this example - during the chorus) with a drop-D tuning. If you really want an acoustic challenge, try learning the Allman Brothers "Little Martha". Warning - you won't figure this one out on the fly! I suggest the great cover by Derek Trucks. Keep 'em coming!

Amazing analysis and...poetry, my man.

Neil Young is the pride of Canada. I would love to see an analysis of Neil ripping a guitar solo, he plays like no other. Hopefully someone will recommend one of his epic jams like Cortez the Killer, or Cowgirl In The Sand.

love it Neil.....

Your so cool. Your telling like it is. Right on.

The harmonics lick is an Em7 arp. You missed the 12th fret d harming, he ends with 7fret A, giving E note. Also it’s a drop D song. Nice reaction, fully agree and love this song

I absolutely love how you've presented this classic. Harvest Moon is a standard for us Canadian acoustic players and you've really captured why. Thanks again!

Love this one!

Ben Keith (RIP) was Neil's pedal steel player. Waylon and Flying Burrito Brothers also has boss steel players....

Thanks🎸

After a couple years of using GuitarGate, and listening to these videos…they are still SO useful!…. I find myself wishing I knew: how did they work up the arrangement? Who was in charge of it? How much time did they put in to get this to this level? Maybe when your barn is built you can teach us all a little about that type of process? Thanks Michael!

Saw this (Neil) tour and 11 others, this one was solo acoustic. One if not the best...

he was 24 years old in vid, amazing! have covid rn but I believe it's an actually broom not on snare - cheers!

Dude I’ve just started playing with this song a few days ago. It’s a fun one for a beginner.

This was an unexpected and lovely surprise. Tying harvest - the bountiful time of year - with a lifelong relationship is deeeep, like you say, it connects on an almost molecular level. For those of us of a certain age, I feel like it expresses nostalgia and sadness at the passing of time, but also the joy we draw from our intimate partners that is impossible to feel until many seasons have passed. An honest, heartfelt love song that's simultaneously about physical, emotional and spiritual attraction.. 3 chords and the truth.

Beautiful song!! but makes me giggle everytime the broom shows up 🤣😂

Michael, you are one eloquent dude. Thanks for the channel. Paraphrasing Carlos Santana he said let the notes breathe. I think in reference to Samba Pa Ti or Europa. Would love to see one of them on your channel.🎶👍

You should listen to his SNL version of Rocking in a free world. Super raw, and the best version.

I loved your take on simplicity. I immediately thought of Eric Satie

Bruce Cockburn is another great Canadian talent.

It's just like you say it's real and to the true meaning.russ❤

On this Red blood moon moment listening to this video. Love Neil Young always have! Drop D the broom sweep , love the decode...thanks! drop d for the broom part guitar 1 you can play high the neck, while guitar2 plays D, A Hammer on D string hammer on E( second fret ) to F (on fourth fret) up strokes to mimic the broom sounds killer! Have fun one my favs!

Yes! Thanks for doing this one michael

Thanks for doing this tune, that is my favorite Neil album and song!! The descending harmonic run ends with 7th fret harmonic on the A string. Give it whirl. Cheers

Cheers mate love you all!

A+

You should do some NY electric, something from weld.

Simplicity usually denotes being totally and fully aware. Many permutations may be much more complex, but often the maturation of an idea is much more simple. In science and math an “elegant” solution is the most simple route to the answer.

Great overview. I played this with my son years ago. Since the tempo is slow and the percussion is light, he got bored and started 'slacking' I told him that was the key. Just because tempo is slow and the drum/percussion could be perceived to be simple, you still need to be on point!

Just stumbled onto your video here. Fun! Sounds like a drop d tuning. And I like how at the end the bass and the vocals use a g/a instead of the Asus. Thanks for all the insights 😁

Mike, I recall seeing a similar video but one that had closeups of Nils Lofgren’s harmonics and his counter voicings to Neil’s parts

We like to use the term “national treasure” but Neil transcends that, he is a human treasure

Neil is the real deal

This songs an all timer