Harvest Moon

The Jazz Bus: Harvest Moon
It was beautiful, full, orange, and “the man in the moon” was visible. Fortunately it was a crystal clear evening and I was located on a large deck just off the ocean, without an obstruction near. Looking up I was reminded of times, more innocent times, where life was not so hectic. I took a deep breath and sip on my cocktail and rethought it, life is good. I was 700 miles away from home, with my bride celebrating our 37th anniversary. Yeah, it’s all good.
The Harvest Moon is a full moon which occurs nearest the autumnal equinox (September 23).This year it was on the exact date making it more significant having not been seen since 1991, and not again until 2029. This “super full moon” seemed to rise very slowly in the sky continuing on its path, shining brightly for what seemed like forever. Known as a “moon illusion” it seemed bigger and closer than ever before. Nicknamed the Harvest Moon by farmers and gatherers who could continue on their appointed rounds late into the night “by the light of the full moon” …Three days in succession. Since we are no longer a tribe of hunters and gatherers who needed the extra light to do our thing, what significance does this Harvest Moon hold for us? Besides signaling the start of a new season, fall, autumn, football, hockey, it was just another evening’s sphere. But it still fascinated me.
Loading Neil Young’s Harvest Moon in my player I started my research. First I found a site that gave names to the full moon for each month. February has the Snow Moon (ah, no kidding) March a Worm Moon, Strawberry Moon is saved for June with a Thunder Moon to follow in July. Then I hit a site that had me mesmerized just like the moon. Moonlightsys.com/themoon/song pulled me in and held me. Song after song about the moon. SHINE ON HARVEST MOON, the vaudeville song, was written 100 years ago, before my time. Bill Monroe’s BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY, Elvis’ BLUE MOON, FLY ME TO THE MOON by Frank Sinatra, MOON SHADOW sung by Cat Stevens, Ozzy’s BARK AT THE MOON, Brooks and Dunn’s NEON MOON, Creedence BAD MOON RISING, Pink Floyd’s DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, King Crimson’s MOON CHILD, MOON RIVER by Louis Armstrong and Van Morrison’s MOON DANCE. Whew, while the hunters and gathers were doing their thing, the poets and musicians must have hung back and wrote about it. Happy Anniversary.
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