The end of his relationship with Joni Mitchell Graham Nash has seriously affected the point that his first solo album, recorded in LA (Wally Heider III) and Frisco (Studio C), released in May 1971, is marked with the seal of grief and emotion (3 titles concern the relationship with Joni), but the revolt, politics and his notorious anti-militarism which are also the seed of Songs For Beginners. Thus, this composer-performer to the great sensitivity layer on this disc pop songs magistral. In the early 70s, Graham Nash is certainly known, but is not yet considered at fair value (even now he does not have it deserves). In the context of formations he has frequented or of which he then forms part (Hollies, CSN and CSNY), Nash yet wrote a plethora of sublime songs (The King Midas, Dear Eloise, Teach Your Children, Our House). For now, the other acolytes of the magic quartet (Crosby Stills Nash & Young) are still overshadow English expatriate in the kingdom of the West Coast. In 33 minutes, he puts the record straight with elegance and infinite delicacy, gentleness, simplicity, even naivety. His unmistakable tone of voice, quality and inventiveness of his writing splash this album (published by Atlantic) that he himself produces. Everything seems to ease on land it controls. A host of friends musicians participated in the recording: David Crosby, Neil Young (aka Joe Yankee to preserve anonymity), Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia, John Barbata, Dave Mason, Calvin Samuels ... The result is convincing, Nash's aeuvre not be ashamed before Albums Crosby (If I Could Only Remeber My Name), Young (After The Gold Rush) and Stills (Stephen Stills) or met quartet. Between guitar and piano, Nash book some of his best compositions. The introspective Songs For Beginners is the privileged ground of protest songs, catchy anthem Military Madness, and Chicago (and its famous intro) chained by a utopian We Can Change The World. It is also the garden of delicate and poetic titles like Wounded Bird, and a Simple Man memorable, delicious ballads (the dark Better Days) as well as a majestic I Used To Be A King (Jerry Garcia the pedal steel and Phil Lesh on bass) on his lost relationship. I have saved for last the wonderful Sleep Song, probably the most beautiful piece composed by Nash and the beautiful melody Man In The Mirror, which I particularly like. Be Yourself and There's Only One look me against, a tone below. Sobre and wonderfully product, that this album is beautiful and still very topical. Do not miss.
