Loved reading through this thread -- this has been an endless debate between me an my brother since we were old enough to use the family record player all by ourselves.
The many times we've said the same things that are said in this thread -- that it's a testament to how fantastic Neil is that it is so hard to pick the best album -- is uncanny.
It's a slight on some of the records to call any one a favorite, but my bro always goes with After the Gold Rush -- hard to disagree given the sheer power of some of the tunes on that record, some of Neil's most enduring songs -- Southern Man, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, When You Dance, etc. It's a patchwork of different recordings made in the basement studio that includes contributions from a young Nils Lofgren, and some on and off again appearances of Danny Whitten in the middle of the roughest patch of his drug addiction. It's a really interesting time in Young's musical career where he leaves the 60s behind and looks forward at the 70s -- musically, thematically, and lyrically.
Me, I vote Harvest. It has a special place in my heart nostalgia-wise so hard to really be objective. The record lacks the full punch of Crazy Horse (using The Stray Gators), but in addition to the softer, more country-inspired melodies, the incredible lineup he collected to assist is notable in both star power (Linda Rondstadt, Crosby, Nash, and Stills, as well as James Taylor ) and the way they are incorporated into the mix while still being very much support rather than up front.
It's also like the Casablanca of albums in terms of how serendipitous it was in coming together. Neil had some tunes he was working on while on the road, and simply...decided to record them after coming to Nashville. There was a mad last minute scramble to get the rhythm section together. The bassist was literally plucked off the street. Rondstadt swung by the studio one night after her and Neil appeared on the Johnny Cash Show together and just joined in background vocals for Heart of Gold and Old Man.
There is something so awesome in its stripped down sound that really appeals to me and makes it stand out. It also takes me back to sweet, soft summer nights in the Muskokas and downtown Toronto parks, hanging with my high school girlfriend and all our school pals smoking, drinking, and being young and carefree. Man, those were the golden years.
