Blitzen Trapper – “Heart Of Gold” (Neil Young Cover) (Stereogum Premiere)

Blitzen Trapper – “Heart Of Gold” (Neil Young Cover) (Stereogum Premiere)

Record Store Day is fast approaching, and to celebrate, alt-country elder statesmen Blitzen Trapper have put together a special release: a note-for-note live cover of Neil Young’s legendary 1972 album Harvest. It’s called, you guessed it, Live Harvest, and the band recorded it at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland while touring their last record, VII. Today, they’ve shared their graceful rendition of the trampin’, soul-plunderin’ “Heart Of Gold,” which the band immaculately reconstructed from familiar components — the introductory wavering harmonica line, the chorus’ soaring slide guitar, and even the timid barn-door drumming. Frontman Eric Earley said: “I think we all knew the record before we even tried to play it. It’s one of those records that takes us to that place of comfort and nostalgia like The Dukes Of Hazzard or a Chevy Impala. It just feels good to play it.” It feels good to hear it, too. Listen, and check out the band’s tour dates (including three more nights of Live Harvest performances), below.

Live Harvest is available 4/18 on Record Store Day.

04/11 Columbia, SC @ River Rocks Festival
04/12 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
04/13 Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio
04/14 Chicago, IL @ City Winery – Blitzen Trapper Performs Harvest (2 shows)
04/15 Columbus, @ OH A&R Bar
04/16 Wilmington, DE @ World Cafe Live Upstairs
04/17 New York, NY @ City Winery – Blitzen Trapper Performs Harvest (2 shows)
0418 Baltimore MD @ The Sound Garden – signing and in-store performance
04/18 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
04/19 Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theater
04/20 Nashville, TN @ City Winery – Blitzen Trapper Performs Harvest
05/09 Portland OR @ Whiskeytown USA Festival

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