Eddie Vedder and Stephen Marley Share Neil Young Covers for Bridge School Benefit Album
by Jambands
Eddie Vedder @ Ohana Fest 2024. Photo Credit: Bahram Foroughi
In February, an all-star cast of artists unveiled Heart Of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Vol. 1, a 14-track compilation of covers benefitting The Bridge School. Following a first preview of Courtney Barnett’s take on “Lotta Love” and Chris Pierce’s revival of “Southern Man,” the charity collection’s rollout continues today with offerings from Eddie Vedder and Stephen Marley.
Vedder has never been shy about his devotion to Young and his music. Beyond Pearl Jam’s continued use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” for an anthemic show-closer, the band backed Young in the studio for 1995’s Mirror Ball and the frontman attested to his icon’s influence on his understanding of “dignity, commitment and playing in the moment” while inducting him into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Through the years, he’s honed treatments of many of Young’s standards, including 1972’s harrowing “The Needle and the Damage Done”; hear Vedder’s starkly straightforward new acoustic recording of that track below.
Vedder’s contribution is coupled with Stephen Marley’s interpretation of “Old Man,” another Harvest essential. Marley reworks the track to add a heavy reggae downstep and vamping organ. This striking approach makes for a welcome high-spirited B-side and brings another dimension to a diverse and captivating compilation.
Heart Of Gold will arrive in full on April 25. Other featured artistsinclude Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Anders Osborne, Charlie Greene and The Doobie Brothers, who teamed up with Allison Russell for a cover of “Comes a Time” 100% of the proceeds from the album will go to The Bridge School, which was founded by Young’s late ex-wife Pegi to help children with severe speech and physical impairments overcome complex communication needs and participate fully in their communities.
Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Vol. 1 is available to pre-order on vinyl now. Learn more about The Bridge School at bridgeschool.org.
Read on for the album’s complete tracklist.
Heart Of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young – Various Artists: Brandi Carlile – “Philadelphia” Fiona Apple – “Heart of Gold” Mumford & Sons – “Harvest” Eddie Vedder – “The 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”
