Last year the first volume of a Neil Young tribute compilation, Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1, had Fiona Apple, Sharon Van Etten, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, The Doobie Brothers & Allison Russell, Steve Earle, and more covering the icon to benefit The Bridge School. Now the second and third volumes have been announced. Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2 – Out of the Blue and Vol – 3 – Into the Black are due out on November 6. Vol. 2 features covers from My Morning Jacket with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ann Wilson, Los Lobos, Edie Brickell, Tyler Ballgame, Jesse Malin, and more. and Vol. 3 has LP, King Princess, Modest Mouse ft. Califone, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, MJ Lenderman, Kurt Vile and the Violators, and more. See the tracklists for both volumes below.
“As The Bridge School celebrates our 40th anniversary, these Heart of Gold tribute albums are a meaningful reminder of the incredible community that has supported our mission for so many years,” Executive Director of The Bridge School Gabriela Berlanga says. “We know that music has an extraordinary ability to connect us, inspire us, and bring people together for a greater purpose. We are especially grateful to those whose love and appreciation for music have inspired them to support our mission and help ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have a voice. And we’re deeply grateful to the artists, supporters, and everyone who helped bring these albums to life. Every purchase helps ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have access to communication, education, resources, and the opportunities they deserve.”
One track from each volume is out now – Draco Rosa‘s take on “After the Gold Rush from Vol. 2, and King Princess‘ rendition of “Helpless” from Vol. 3. Rosa says, “Bridge School holds significance. Neil Young’s melodies resonate deeply. ‘After the Gold Rush’ is a pivotal song in my journey, reflecting the hope of finding a new home in the sun. It’s a true honor to be included in this purposeful project.”
“It felt kismet that they asked me to do ‘Helpless,'” King Princess says. “It’s my mom and my favorite Neil Young song; I can hear her singing it in the car on our way upstate. As far as the recording process, Brad Oberhofer and I decided to take it on together at my dad’s studio (recorded by my dad himself). We tried to record it as simply and intimately as the Crosby Stills Nash and Young version. Brad played guitar and I played drums and keys. We did it as a one take, off click, and the rest we just built together as a two-man band. The only thing we changed was just making it longer. My only complaint about the original is that it’s too short. I want more.”
Hear both tracks below.
HEART OF GOLD: THE SONGS OF NEIL YOUNG, VOL. 2 – OUT OF THE BLUE
My Morning Jacket with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band – “Like A Hurricane”
Ann Wilson – “Walk With Me”
Draco Rosa – “After The Gold Rush”
Peter Frampton & John Jorgenson feat. Jay Dee Maness, Herb Pedersen, Steve Duncan and Mark Fain – “Heart of Gold”
Lucinda Williams – “Don’t Be Denied”
Los Lobos – “Cinnamon Girl”
Edie Brickell – “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
Tyler Ballgame – “Tell Me Why”
Sharlotte Gibson – “Ohio”
Jesse Malin “Pocahontas”
Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera – “Rockin’ In The Free World”
Dramarama – “Kinda Fonda Wanda”
HEART OF GOLD: THE SONGS OF NEIL YOUNG, VOL. 2 – INTO THE BLACK
Briston Maroney “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)”
LP “Harvest Moon”
King Princess “Helpless”
Modest Mouse featuring Califone “Barstool Blues”
Ben Gibbard “Don’t Cry No Tears”
MJ Lenderman “Separate Ways”
Cold War Kids “Tonight’s The Night”
Kurt Vile and The Violators “When Your Lonely Heart Breaks”
Devendra Banhart “Pardon My Heart”
Emily Hackett “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”
RAC featuring Kelcey Ayer “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)”
New Constellations “Unknown Legend”