BE YOURSELF: A TRIBUTE TO GRAHAM NASH'S SONGS FOR BEGINNERS TO BE RELEASED MAY 25
ROBIN PECKNOLD, BONNIE 'PRINCE' BILLY, VETIVER, JOHNATHAN RICE
BRENDAN BENSON AND MORE CONTRIBUTE COVERS OF THE NASH CLASSICS
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Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash's emotionally charged solo debut Songs For Beginners was first released in 1971 and came on the heels of a temporary split with his CSN band mates, David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and a permanent break with his then-love, Joni Mitchell. The album was a hit, climbing to #15 on the Billboard chart and introducing the now-classic songs “Military Madness," “Simple Man," “Used To Be A King," and the Top 40 single “Chicago." Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash first rose to stardom with British Invasion hit-makers The Hollies. He went on to co-found the rock super groups Crosby, Stills & Nash and CSM&Y and remains active with both configurations. Throughout it all, Nash has pursued an acclaimed solo career, beginning with the 1971 gem Songs for Beginners. The songs from this classic have stood the almighty test of time and have been covered by a long list of music makers across the globe.
Now, flash forward to 2010, Nile Nash & Britt Govea of (((folkYEAH!))) presents have assembled an all star lineup of contemporary music leaders such as Bonnie “Prince" Billy, Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes), Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs), Vetiver, Alela Diane, Sleepy Sun, Mariee Sioux & Greg Weeks (from Espers), Port O Brien with The Papercuts, The Moore Brothers and Graham's own daughter, Nile Nash. All of these contemporary artists have come together to honor and celebrate Graham's first solo LP, Songs For Beginners. The artists put a unique spin on each song, making it his or her own while also honoring the timeless vibe of the original recordings. Some stay true to the arrangements that Graham and his Bay Area musician pals laid down in 1970, while others go for a completely fresh reinterpretation. Each track is sure to delight and introduce these already epic and timeless songs to a new generation of music lovers. This tribute LP, titled Be Yourself: A Tribute To Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners, will be released via Grass Roots Records in Spring 2010.
All of the songs on this inspired collection were recorded between May and October of 2009. A few selections from Graham's classic second solo release Wild Tales have also been recorded; Johnathan Rice handles “On The Line," Tyson Vogel (of Two Gallants) takes “Hey You (Looking At The Moon)" to another place, and Jonathan Wilson (of Chris Robinson's Wooden Family, Jenny Lewis, Elvis Costello) featuring an all star Laurel Canyon lineup recreates the now-classic Wild Tales jam “And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)."
In order to maintain the righteous tone of the original record and to also continue Graham's lifelong commitment to educating our next generation, Graham, Nile, the artists, and Grass Roots Records are donating a portion of the proceeds from the record to Wavy Gravy's Camp Winnarainbow. Through the use of music, acrobatics, games and production this circus and performing arts camp in the Mendocino woods of northern California teaches children and adults tools for building self-esteem, community, conflict resolution, communication and plain old merriment.
Be Yourself: A Tribute To Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners will be released on May 25. A limited number 1000 editions of 180 gram vinyl will be pressed and will include a bonus 7 inch of the additional material. This will be available only through the Grassroots Records website, grassrootsrecordco.com. Pre-orders begin February 15 and will be fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis.
Full Track Listing:
PORT O BRIEN/PAPERCUTS: MILITARY MADNESS
BRENDAN BENSON: BETTER DAYS
NILE NASH: WOUNDED BIRD
VETIVER: USED TO BE A KING
ROBIN PECKNOLD (of Fleet Foxes): BE YOURSELF
BONNIE 'PRINCE' BILLY: SIMPLE MAN (HOMBRE SENCILLO)
MOORE BROTHERS: MAN IN THE MIRROR
ALELA DIANE: THERE'S ONLY ONE
MARIEE SIOUX (w GREG WEEKS of ESPERS): SLEEP SONG
SLEEPY SUN: CHICAGO
VARIOUS/NILE NASH: WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD (REPRISE)
BONUS CUTS/EP:
Tyson Vogel (of Two Gallants): Hey You (Looking At The Moon)
Johnathan Rice: On The Line
Jonathan Wilson + special guests: And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)
Bart Davenport: Better Days
Citay: Military Madness
