Songs For Beginners - Graham Nash

Author: Colin Sheaman
Journal: Q Magazine Issue #82
Date: July 1993

Perhaps because of his Hollies background, Graham Nash was unusual among '70s singer/songwriters in appreciating the three-minute pop single. Typically, "Military Madness"—which links his English World War 2 childhood with the American conflict in Vietnam - is musically concise with a strong melody and inventive harmony. But the more ridiculous aspects of the '70s had a foot firmly in the studio door too. Subtlety of meaning is often sacrificed to clever sounding rhymes, some of the political stuff - "We Can Change The World" and the singalong chorus to "Be Yourself" - echo Lennon at his most naive and at times the lyrical artiness is ridiculous: ("You'll wear the coat of questions 'til the answer hat is here"). Nonetheless, some tracks - "Military Madness," "Sleep Song"—equal the best CSN&Y. That, plus appearances from Rita Coolidge, Jerry Garcia and David Lindley, make this solo debut, (a Top 20 hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1971), worth a listen for anyone into singer/songwriters.

 

Songs For Beginners

Graham Nash

Producer - Graham Nash

Bass - Calvin Samuels, Chris Ethridge

Drums - Johnny Barbata, Dallas Taylor

Engineer - Bill Halverson

Guitar - Graham Nash

Piano - Graham Nash, Rita Coolidge, Joel Bernstein, Joe Yankee

Saxophone - Bobby Keys

Vocals - Graham Nash

Organ - Graham Nash

Background Vocals - Rita Coolidge, Pat Arnold, Vanetta Fields, Shirley Matthews, Clydie King, Dorothy Morrison

Bass Clarinet - Seemon Posthuma

Tambourine - Graham Nash

Fiddle - David Lindley

Celli - Dorian Rudnytsky

 

 

Songs For Beginners

Graham Nash

Military Madness

Better Days

Wounded Bird

I Used To Be A King

Be Yourself

Simple Man

Man In The Mirror

There's Only One

Sleep Song

Chicago

We Can Change The World