Fiona Apple, Eddie Vedder, Courtney Barnett & more cover Neil Young on new Bridge School benefit comp

Fiona Apple, Eddie Vedder, Courtney Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Marley, Steve Earle, The Doobie Brothers with Allison Russell, and more have covered Neil Young songs on a new benefit compilation that supports The Bridge School. It’s titled Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1 and will be out April 25.

Two songs from Heart of Gold have been shared: Courtney Barnett’s pretty take on “Lotta Love,” and Chris Pierce’s soulful version of “Southern Man.” Courtney says, “’Lotta Love’ is one of my favourite Neil songs and the lyrics feel especially relevant at this moment in history. It’s a real honour to be part of this tribute helping to raise funds for The Bridge School.”  

“When I was presented with the privilege to be a part of Heart of Gold – The Songs of Neil Young his impactful song ‘Southern Man’ came to me in a dream,” Pierce says of his contribution. “The early morning session at Village Recorders, gallantly led by producers David Resnik and Niko Bolas was an experience that I’ll never forget. I felt that the spirits of my ancestors visited us in the studio during the recording of this song, and I was in tears while singing it with the soulful congregation of stellar musicians in the room.”

Listen to both below.

You can also look forward to the second volume of Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young later this year.

Meanwhile, Neil Young recently released “big change,” his first single with his new band The Chrome Hearts.

Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1
Brandi Carlile – “Philadelphia”
Fiona Apple – “Heart of Gold”
Mumford & Sons – “Harvest”
Eddie Vedder – “Needle and The Damage Done”
Courtney Barnett – “Lotta Love”
Stephen Marley – “Old Man”
Sharon Van Etten – “Here We Are In The Years”
Lumineers – “Sugar Mountain”
The Doobie Brothers with Allison Russell – “Comes A Time”
Steve Earle – “Long May You Run”
Rodney Crowell – “Mr. Soul”
Anders Osborne – “Cowgirl in the Sand”
Charlie Greene – “Such A Woman”
Chris Pierce – “Southern Man”