Attawapiskat ON via Winnipeg MB (02.03.22) — Canadiana classic Heart Of Gold is turning 50 this month! Released on Neil Young’s Harvest album on February 14, 1972, the song has surely inspired countless musicians since it first hit the airwaves.
Jump ahead 20 years since it’s release… In 1992, 16-year-old Adrian Sutherland in the remote northern community of Attawapiskat borrowed a harmonica from an Elder, fashioned a homemade harness using a coat-hanger, two sticks and elastic bands, and taught himself to play Heart Of Gold: “I grew up in an isolated area and listened to a lot of music, especially once I started playing guitar. Neil Young was one of my biggest musical inspirations, and Heart Of Gold is one of my favourite songs,” says Sutherland.
Midnight Shine – (left to right: Adrian Sutherland, George Gillies, Zach Tomatuk, Stan Louttit) PHOTO CREDIT – Christopher F. Kataquapit
Jump ahead another 27 years… In 2018, Adrian and his band Midnight Shine released a unique version of Heart Of Gold: “We wanted to cover it, but in a way that’s different from everyone else. So we gave it a little ‘shine’ of our own.” Their timely take on the timeless classic honours the heart and soul of the original, yet is distinctly different. It features heavy drum beat and slide guitar, and pays homage to Sutherland’s Indigenous culture with pow wow singing and chanting, and a verse in Mushkegowuk Cree.
One year later… In 2019, a music video for Heart Of Gold was released. Shot in Attawapiskat, it features some of Adrian’s family and friends enjoying a ‘boat ride’ – with a fun reveal at the end that you won’t see coming! Since its release, the music video has earned over 266.5k views on YouTube, while the song has been streamed more than 133k times on Spotify.
COMMENTS FROM FANS:
“I have heard this song covered many times and this is by far my favourite version. Great mix of sounds. The video is beautiful. Peace and Love to everyone in Attawapiskat…”
“Surprisingly close to the original with a distinctive Northern sound and voice…”
“Thank you for bringing new depth and culture to one of my favourite songs…”
“I love the parts when you sing in Cree and the pow wow. We need more music like this…”
“Wow, I tune in intently each time I hear this played… your cover glows with warmth and yearning. The video is beautiful…”
“I was about 10 when Neil Young’s version was featured on a TV special. It’s been a favourite ever since. But your version is like hearing it again for the first time…”
“My father is hearing impaired and can barely hear voices anymore, but was able to hear your voice. It was amazing to see him enjoying classic rock again, with a mix of our Indigenous heritage…”
“Australia absolutely loves your twist on a classic. Yes, GOLD…
