"Silver and Gold" is the latest solo release from the fourth member of the supergroup CSN&Y, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Ironically, this new CD is missing four songs this genius artist gave away to his friends to make their recent "Looking Forward"

Neil Young, being the pop music recluse that he is, tucked himself away in his recording studio with all the fond memories of friends and family, and recorded a brilliant stripped-down acoustic treat, dedicated to wife Pegi, inspired by son Ben, and featuring photos by daughter Amber and a simple liner note, reading "Thank you to all my friends."

Young is in a mood of artistic reflection, and appears content with his place in life. He relates that feeling in an inspiring way. "Silver and Gold" is subtle, acoustic music, as delightfully sparse as anything Neil has ever offered.

Not as dark as Springsteen's "Nebraska," but just as daring, the disc opens with two solo acoustic guitar pieces. The first, "Good To See You," is about a hard-working family man glad to be off the road and back with family. The title track was written in 1982 and offers a showcase of Young's picking style. The message: Despite the hustle and bustle of life and our greedy motivation to build treasure chests of silver and gold, nothing lasts longer than love. Eighteen years later, we believe him.

"Daddy Went Walkin' " has a softened home-grown sound, and lyrics about allowing aging parents their independence, and the hope of an eternal reunion with loved ones in the next life. "All will be fine", according to Young. "Buffalo Springfield Again" finds Young reflecting on the early days of his working years. There is a longing to relive those days in this most upbeat tune. A good blend of guitar, piano and pedal steel reminds us of the great sound that came out of Southern California via Winnipeg in the mid-'60's. If he could hook-up with Crosby, Stills and Nash, why not re-group one more time with the Springfield?

Separation, both physical and emotional, are themes of the next tune, "The Great Divide." It reminds us of that "Sugar Mountain" separation, where one falls off the carousel and works hard to get back on board. This time, Young says the carousel life is going well. Vocally, Young hits a new falsetto high.

The sixth song, "Horseshoe Man," rekindles a message from "After The Goldrush" 's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." This new character, the Horseshoe Man, is a comfort to others, and puts hearts back together. Love comes with risk and heartbreak, and Young appears to be questioning the risk. Great piano work on this one.

Young calls on old friends Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt for back-up vocals on "Red Sun." Dreams won't let you down, he contends, and he shares a dream of his own - his divorced parents reunite. "Distant Camera" flows with a feel reminiscent of "Harvest." Focus on the most important things in life, capture the moment and make it a song of love, Young seems to be saying.

"Razor Love," clocking in at more than six minutes, is the longest offering, and arguably the most moving. Young expresses appreciation for a friend or lover who was shorted of parental love, but eventually found a perfect loving mate. His love, razor-like, cuts through all life's problems. This song, featuring a combination of shakers, acoustic guitar, piano and a deliberate harmonica solo, was written in 1987, but sounds like a missing classic.

The CD ends with the lost, out-of-focus, homeless feel of "Without Rings." The downside of free will is the subject, expressed via the lowest-recorded register of Neil's voice. Although probably not meant to be too dark, it makes us desire the goodness offered by the earlier songs.

Pearl Jam fans, brought into the Young fold with the hard-rocking "Mirror Ball," may be bored by the quiet softness of "Silver and Gold." Some listeners may not have lived enough to appreciate the sensitive lyrics. Any music connoisseur with an open mind, though, will welcome Young's message and delivery.

"Silver and Gold," over time, should stand up alongside "Harvest," "Comes A Time," "Harvest Moon" and any acoustic gem from any other Neil Young album. Imagine how much better this CD might have turned out had Young not been so kind to his old bandmates and friends CS&N. Love is better than silver and gold.

The evidence is in: Neil can still write and record tender acoustic masterpieces. All Young fans will want to own this collection.

- SCOTT J. PETRUCCI

Scott J. Petrucci, based in St. Petersburg, writes and records his own music under the name Johnny Arrowhead.