Includes tracks from My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams and MJ Lenderman among others.
Cinema Music Group, Killphonic Records, and City Slang have announced Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2 – Out of the Blue and Vol. 3 – Into the Black. Both volumes will be released on 6th November. The companion releases follow 2025’s Vol. 1 and feature more than twenty artists celebrating the music of Neil Young with proceeds from the albums benefiting The Bridge School, the nonprofit founded by Neil and Pegi Young to serve individuals with severe speech and physical impairments. All participating artists donated their recordings in support of the organisation’s mission. You can pre-order both volumes on limited-edition coloured vinyl here.
Featuring contributions from Modest Mouse featuring Califone, My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, Peter Frampton, LP, MJ Lenderman, Ben Gibbard, Kurt Vile and The Violators, there is so much to get your teeth into, whether you’re a die-hard Young fan (guilty!) or just a casual listener. The track Helpless is the lead single from Volume 3 from King Princess, the project of Brooklyn-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and actor Mikaela Straus,
About the song, King Princess says: “It felt kismet that they asked me to do ‘Helpless’. It’s my mom and my favourite Neil Young song; I can hear her singing it in the car on our way upstate. As far as the recording process, Brad Oberhofer and I decided to take it on together at my dad’s studio (recorded by my dad himself). We tried to record it as simply and intimately as the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young version. Brad played guitar, and I played drums and keys. We did it as a one-take off-click, and the rest we just built together as a two-man band. The only thing we changed was just making it longer. My only complaint about the original is that it’s too short. I want more.”
Latin superstar Draco Rosa launches Vol. 2 with a reimagining of After the Gold Rush. Rosa says, “Bridge School holds significance. Neil Young’s melodies resonate deeply. After the Gold Rush is a pivotal song in my journey, reflecting the hope of finding a new home in the sun. It’s a true honour to be included in this purposeful project.”
The Bridge School themselves have commented on the project: “As The Bridge School celebrates our 40th anniversary, these Heart of Gold tribute albums are a meaningful reminder of the incredible community that has supported our mission for so many years,” said Gabriela Berlanga, Executive Director. “We know that music has an extraordinary ability to connect us, inspire us, and bring people together for a greater purpose. We are especially grateful to those whose love and appreciation for music have inspired them to support our mission and help ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have a voice. And we’re deeply grateful to the artists, supporters, and everyone who helped bring these albums to life. Every purchase helps ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have access to communication, education, resources, and the opportunities they deserve.”
Volume I, originally released in April 2025, featured covers by Eddie Vedder, Lumineers, Courtney Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, Mumford and Sons, Brandi Carlile, The Doobie Brothers, and more.
Founded in 1986 by Neil and Pegi Young to help meet the communication and educational needs of their son, Ben, The Bridge School was built on the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to communicate. Over the past 40 years, the organisation has helped transform the lives of thousands of individuals with complex communication and physical disabilities while helping shape the fields of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) through innovative education, research, and professional development.
Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2 – Out of the Blue and Vol. 3 – Into the Black tracklists:
Volume 2 – Out of the Blue:
My Morning Jacket with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Like A Hurricane
Ann Wilson – Walk With Me
Draco Rosa – After The Gold Rush
Peter Frampton & John Jorgenson feat. Jay Dee Maness, Herb Pedersen, Steve Duncan, and Mark Fain – Heart of Gold
Lucinda Williams – Don’t Be Denied
Los Lobos – Cinnamon Girl
Edie Brickell – Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Tyler Ballgame – Tell Me Why
Sharlotte Gibson – Ohio
Jesse Malin – Pocahontas
Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera – Rockin’ In The Free World
Dramarama – Kinda Fonda Wanda
Volume 3 – Into the Black:
Briston Maroney – My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)
LP – Harvest Moon
King Princess – Helpless
Modest Mouse featuring Califone – Barstool Blues
Ben Gibbard – Don’t Cry No Tears
MJ Lenderman – Separate Ways
Cold War Kids – Tonight’s The Night
Kurt Vile and The Violators – When Your Lonely Heart Breaks
Devendra Banhart – Pardon My Heart
Emily Hackett – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
RAC featuring Kelcey Ayer – Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
New Constellations – Unknown Legend
Here are both singles:
