Tribute albums usually reflect an artist's wide-ranging influence and reputation.
Be Yourself
doesn't exactly fit into that category. Rather than merely celebrate
Graham Nash
as an artist, this set pays tribute to his first solo album,
Songs for Beginners
, released in 1971. Co-produced and spearheaded by
Nile Nash
(
Graham
's daughter) and
Britt Govea
, the pair have chosen a slate of artists to re-create the album in its proper running order. Contributors include
Bonnie Prince Billy
,
Brendan Benson
Vetiver
Robin Pecknold
Alela Diane
Mariee Sioux
(with
Greg Weeks
), the
Moore Brothers
Sleepy Sun
Port O'Brien
, and
Papercuts
.
performs as well.
was recorded in the aftermath of
Nash
's breakup with
Joni Mitchell
, the temporary breakup of
CSNY
, the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the waning idealism of the '60s. He created a space of quiet in the midst of his turmoil with beautifully articulated and arranged songs and performances that hold up 40 years later. The album produced a hit single in
"Military Madness"
as well as the anthems
"Chicago"
and its reprise
"We Can Change the World."
Here,
's
"I Used to Be King"
is the brightest moment, but the set's quality is surprisingly consistent.
Benson
"Better Days"
captures the disillusionment of the original version with a country-rock arrangement.
has been redefined for the indie rock generation thanks to a seamless collaborative reading from
and
;
Nile Nash'
s
"Wounded Bird"
rings empathically -- if plaintively -- true.
Pecknold
's version of the title track contains some gorgeous backing vocals (all his) that evoke
CSN
's.
Diane
's read of
"There's Only One"
is stellar in its emotional revelation.
rocks harder than anything here and reveals the anger inherent in the history the song bears, but is then transformed by the reprise of
' refrain at the album's close; it becomes a paean to solidarity and hope. Re-creating a classic album, especially one this iconic, is no mean feat.
maintains (mostly) its inspiration's spirit of quiet and heartfelt honesty, no matter its new interpretations. ~ Thom Jurek