Blitzen Trapper makes “Harvest” hit of their own

Had Neil Young himself stumbled into the Doug Fir Lounge two Fridays ago, he might have left smiling, like the rest of the sellout crowd.

Portland’s very own Blitzen Trapper played Neil Young’s famous 1972 album “Harvest” along with some tunes of their own, including their hit solo from 2006, “Furr,” which seemed only appropriate given the venue’s name.

According to bass player Michael Van Pelt, the alternative-country-meets-jam band’s front man, Eric Earley, came up with the idea of paying tribute to Neil Young by covering his classic album.

“Eric just came in one day and said, ‘Let’s do “Harvest” at the Doug Fir,’ ” Van Pelt said. “We were all like, ‘Yeah!’ ”

Earley’s voice was fading in and out after playing an earlier all-ages show. “I swear this never happens,” he told the sweaty crowd, puzzled by losing his voice. But like any good rock star, along with the help of his girlfriend getting him tea and water, Earley pressed on and hit the notes like no one’s business.

All five members stepped up their A-game and had a fun, with a twist of their own. Drummer Brian Adrian Koch may have stolen the show with his rendition of “Needle and the Damage Done.” His voice and stage presence took over the crowd.

“He’s always been a good singer,” said a not-so-surprised Van Pelt after the show.

Asked what Young’s influence had on the band, Van Pelt said, “All of us have disparate tastes which comes out in our own stuff, but Neil Young is a common thread that’s run through all of our lives.

“I remember listening to ‘Harvest’ on cassette in Eric’s mom’s car back in high school as we trolled around the countryside surrounding Salem (where the band began),” he said. “It’s a special record, and it gets pretty dark in spots, too. Darker than I remember.”

Van Pelt said playing at the Doug Fir Lounge is always special because the size of the room and the sound.

“Doug Fir has to be in my top five or ten venues in the country,” he confirmed. “It’s intimate. More importantly, it’s a place where people seem to like to go. So, pair a good band with a comfy place and you’ll always have a good show. I’d rather do two or three Doug Fir shows than one Crystal Ballroom show – sounds better and it’s intimate.”

I was hoping this would become a tradition, but Van Pelt hinted that the fellas haven’t quite committed to making this an annual event.

“We’ve talked about playing ‘Abbey Road’ (the Beatles’ epic album) front to back,” Van Pelt said. “Or Neil Young’s, ‘Tonight’s the Night.’ But we don’t want it to be gimmicky – if it’s not fun for us, then we won’t do it.”