V/A Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners

Graham Nash's 1971 Songs for Beginners is, in many ways, an album born out of dissonance. At that time, he had momentarily parted ways with friends and bandmates Crosby and Stills and had permanantly parted ways with love interest Joni Mitchell. Nash was able take those personal breaks, as well as the fractured social climate, and fashion his harmonious solo debut. Containing the politically charged "Chicago" and "Military Madness," the album also represents a time when political songs could be pulled off without seeming trite. His daughter, Nile Nash, has been active in that West Coast nostalgia machine responsible for the new folk movement that's been on the popular periphery for a few years now. We can thank her (((folkYEAH!))) pals for a lot of lovely music, as well as this tribute album. Quiet scenesters Vetiver, Mariee Sioux, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, and Nile Nash herself all pay homage. 

Abstract by Ryan Weibush