Recorded 2/7/93 at Universal Studios, Los Angeles

Original Premiere Date: March 3, 1993

MTV devotes an episode of its acoustic music series, “MTV Unplugged,” to one of rock’s most innovative and eclectic artists, Neil Young. The special captures Neil Young live in concert, equipped with acoustic guitar and harmonica stand, and supported by longtime partners Frank (Pancho) Sampedro on keyboards, and Ben Keith on also sax. Young’s performance includes a medley from his Freedom album, the 1970 title track “After The Goldrush,” and the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young classic, “Ohio,” about the Kent State University killings.

An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book... “On this New York night, everything seemed to be in place. His beautiful, acoustic-based album Harvest Moon had just been released. His sister Astrid was onstage to sing background vocals. He was even dressed for comfort in muckluck boots and finely aged flannel. The only problem was that Neil hated the performance. At one point, frustrated with rehearsal, he ran offstage, out a side door, and into the snowy New York night. We had a long, nervous wait, but eventually he returned. Not that the breather had helped to change his opinion. In the end, despite a performance that we thought was very moving, Neil was so unhappy with the show that we agreed to do another one. So we regrouped. For this go-round, just a few weeks later, we headed to Los Angeles. Neil donned a black leather jacket and recruited Nils Lofgren to help him hit paydirt. He did. During his rendition of ‘Harvest Moon,’ he even had someone on stage with a broom, sweeping brushstrokes in time with the music. It was a lovely moment.”

Set List