Music Review: Songs For Beginners, Graham Nash

One of classic rock’s pioneers, Graham Nash has reissued his first solo album 'Songs For Beginners' which was first released in 1971. This discs first track is “Military Madness” as it’s a quintessential protest song full of twangy guitars and harmonica set to his quirky lyrical style as it was soliloquy about the Vietnam War and is relevant today with Iraq and Afghanistan wars dividing the country. “Better Days” tones things down as it’s a quaint ballad reminiscing about the past set to piano and lilt vocals accompanied by snares and whirling bass grooves.

“Wounded Bird” continued similar melodies and has this singer/songwriter innocence and it sounds like work he did with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. “Be Yourself” followed through on the stripped-down methods, but sounded very whiny and irritating. “Simple Man” returns to the standard format as Nash oozes floral harmonies and piano-laced arrangements making this somber.

“There’s Only One” monotonously brings us more of the same on here as he sings in a spoken-word like pattern with his British accent pouring through the verbiage and soulful background singers chime in making this seem like something out of the late-‘60s or early ‘70s as it’s so nostalgic. “Sleep Song” lulls you into submission as it’s soothing and quite tiny in its interpretation as it’s light and airy. “We Can Change The World” is the most pop-inspired cut on this album as it finishes off in an anthemic persuasion. Graham Nash’s solo work isn’t as stellar as with the groups that made him famous but is essential to the collection if you are a fan of that eras sound.

Making the collection even more complete is the DVD which includes a new mix and now can be heard in excellent 5.1 stereo sound. The DVD also includes lyrics, photo album, and a video interview of Graham Nash completes the set.

Fans of Nash will also be happy to hear that Cleveland Leader is offering a copy of the disc. If you can name the solo albums by Crosby and Stills, also released in 1971, you can win a free copy of the new album. Email contests@clevelandleader.com with the correct answer to register. Open only to people in the continental United States.