Alchemy Happens: Lou Rhodes's Favourite Albums | Page 8 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

7. Neil YoungHarvest

"Think I’ll pack it in/ And buy a pick-up/ Drive it down to LA…"

With these opening words I’m dreaming open horizons and yearning for big American skies. I bought this second-hand on vinyl in my late teens. The buff-coloured cover has darkened and become fuzzy-cornered with age but the music stays wondrous and deep. To my innocent ears ‘A Man Needs A Maid’ was an enigma although its impact was immediate. Over the years its meaning has moved me ever more deeply; I love the shameless expression of a man lost in love and longing for simplicity and the strings are epic as fuck.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Georgia, Colin Newman, Suzi Quatro, Jim Jones, Pixies
PreviousNext Record

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today