Brendan Benson Honors Graham Nash Alongside All-Star Indie Cast

Brendan Benson and Will Oldham, aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, could barely say "mama" when Graham Nash released his critically-acclaimed solo album, 'Songs for Beginners.' Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold wasn't even born yet, neither was Nash's own daughter Nile. All four, along with a bunch of other musicians, appear on the new 11-track 'A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners,' out May 25 on Grassroots Records.

"I wasn't ever a giant fan of CSNY," Benson admits to Spinner. "I had always loved the Hollies and was particularly obsessed with Graham's voice and at some point I put it together that he was the same guy in CSNY."

Benson delved deeper after discovering Nash had recorded some solo work and remembers picking up a copy of 'Songs for Beginners.' "I think I listened to it and nothing else for about a month," he admits. "I studied it like it was some unearthed, ancient manuscript. I love the sound of it overall. It sounds so simple and effortless when in actuality it's a complex work of art."

Written during a split from Crosby, Stills and Nash and his breakup with Joni Mitchell, Nash's album produced classic songs like 'Simple Man,' 'Used to Be a King' and the hit 'Chicago.' "Originally I wanted to do 'Used to Be a King,' but it had been taken," Benson admits of the track Vetiver covered on the compilation. "So Nile suggested I do 'Better Days.' I couldn't believe that one hadn't been snatched up already. I love all the songs on 'Songs for Beginners,' but of course one can't help but have a few favorites and 'Better Days' just happened to be one of mine."

Rounding out the LP, which was co-produced by Nile, are Port O'Brien with the Papercuts, Alela Diane, Sleepy Sun, the Moore Brothers. Mariee Sioux and Espers' Greg Weeks. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rice's take on 'On the Line' and one-half of Two Gallant's Tyson Vogel putting his stamp on 'Hey You (Looking at the Moon)' can be heard on the five-track bonus EP. Some proceeds from the reworked album will go towards Wavy Gravy's Camp Winnarainbow. A preview and full track list of the album are available below.


'A Tribute To Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners' track list:

1. Port O Brien/Papercuts: 'Military Madness'
2. Brendan Benson: 'Better Days'
3. Nile Nash: 'Wounded Bird'
4. Vetiver: 'Used To Be a King'
5. Robin Pecknold (Of Fleet Foxes): 'Be Yourself'
6. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy: 'Simple Man (Hombre Sencillo)'
7. Moore Brothers: 'Man In The Mirror'
8. Alela Diane: 'There's Only One'
9. Mariee Sioux (W Greg Weeks Of Espers): 'Sleep Song'
10. Sleepy Sun: 'Chicago'
11. Various/Nile Nash: 'We Can Change The World (Reprise)'

Bonus 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'