PHOTO: CONOR CUNNINGHAM
King Princess, MJ Lenderman, Ben Gibbard and more feature on Neil Young charity compilations
Cinema Music Group, Killphonic Records and City Slang have announced Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. II - Out of the Blue and Vol. III - Into the Black, and shared a cover of "Helpless" reimagined by King Princess and "After the Gold Rush" by Draco Rosa.
The companion releases follow 2025's Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. I and feature more than twenty artists celebrating the music of Neil Young, with proceeds benefiting The Bridge School, the nonprofit founded by Neil and Pegi Young.
King Princess launches Vol. II with “Helpless”, as she explains: “It felt kismet that they asked me to do ‘Helpless’,” says Mikaela Straus. “It’s my mom and my favourite Neil Young song; I can hear her singing it in the car on our way upstate.” Recorded at her father's studio with Brad Oberhofer, the track was captured as a one-take, off-click performance. “The only thing we changed was just making it longer. My only complaint about the original is that it's too short.”
Draco Rosa launches Vol. II with a reimagining of “After the Gold Rush”. “Bridge School holds significance,” says Rosa. “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.”
Vol. I featured covers by Eddie Vedder, The Lumineers, Courtney Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, Mumford & Sons and Brandi Carlile. The new volumes include contributions from Modest Mouse featuring Califone, My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, Peter Frampton, LP, MJ Lenderman, Ben Gibbard, and Kurt Vile and The Violators. All participating artists donated their recordings.
Founded in 1986, The Bridge School provides communication and educational support for individuals with severe speech and physical impairments. “Every purchase helps ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have access to communication, education, resources, and the opportunities they deserve,” says executive director Gabriela Berlanga.
Heart of Gold: The Songs Of Neil Young, Vol. II - Out of the Blue artwork
Heart of Gold: The Songs Of Neil Young, Vol. III - Into the Black artwork
Heart of Gold: The Songs Of Neil Young, Vol. II - Out of the Blue tracklist
"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. III - Into the Black tracklist
"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"
Heart of Gold: Vol. II - Out of the Blue and Vol. III - Into the Black are released on 6 November via Cinema Music Group, Killphonic Records and City Slang
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