Courtney Barnett Covers Neil Young for New Compilation
The Aussie artists joins Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, The Doobie Brothers and more contributing covers to the album.
Image via @courtneybarnettmusic
Courtney Barnett is back with her first new release in two years – a cover of Neil Young’s ‘Lotta Love’. The singer-songwriter recorded the tune for the upcoming Young covers compilation Heart of Gold: A Tribute to Neil Young Volume 1 (pre-order here).
Released April 25 via Cinema Music Group and Killphonic Records, proceeds from the sale of the 14-track compilation will go towards The Bridge School, an organisation educating children with severe speech and physical impairments.
‘Lotta Love’ was first recorded by Young in 1978 for his ninth studio album, Comes a Time. The album topped the US Billboard Easy Listening Album Chart and peaked at #11 on the ARIA Album Chart.
The track has been covered by several artists over the years, with Dinosaur Jr. taking it on for the 1989 Young tribute album, The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young.
In a brief statement about her cover choice, Barnett said: “‘Lotta Love’ is one of my favourite Neil songs and the lyrics feel especially relevant at this moment in history. It’s a real honour to be part of this tribute helping to raise funds for The Bridge School.”
Barnett also revealed the track was recorded in Los Angeles “at the end of 2023 with Stella Mozgawa on drums, Zach Dawes on bass and Dave Palmer on keys.”
The Aussie’s take on ‘Lotta Love’ was produced by Niko Bolas and Dave Resnik, engineered by Alisse Laymac and Niko Bolas, and mixed by Niko Bolas.
READ MORE: Neil Young Drops ‘Big Change’, the First Song From his New Band The Chrome Hearts
American singer-songwriter Chris Pierce also shared a cover of ‘Southern Man’ that appears on the album. Unlike Barnett’s cover, which has an indie twang, Pierce went back to basics for his raw cover that has an almost haunting quality.
“Time and time again, I’m reminded of the power of Neil Young’s songs,” Pierce said of his cover. “When I was presented with the privilege to be a part of Heart of Gold – The Songs of Neil Young, his impactful song ‘Southern Man’ came to me in a dream.
“The early morning session at Village Recorders, gallantly led by producers David Resnik and Niko Bolas was an experience that I’ll never forget. I felt that the spirits of my ancestors visited us in the studio during the recording of this song, and I was in tears while singing it with the soulful congregation of stellar musicians in the room.”
The compilation also includes covers by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Fiona Apple, The Doobie Brothers, Sharon Van Etten and more.
Heart of Gold: A Tribute to Neil Young Volume 1 is released on April 25. You can pre-order here and check out the artwork and tracklisting below.
Heart of Gold: A Tribute to Neil Young Volume 1
1. Brandi Carlile – Philadelphia
2. Fiona Apple – Heart of Gold
3. Mumford & Sons – Harvest
4. Eddie Vedder – Needle and The Damage Done
5. Courtney Barnett – Lotta Love
6. Stephen Marley – Old Man
7. Sharon Van Etten – Here We Are In The Years
8. Lumineers – Sugar Mountain
9. The Doobie Brothers with Allison Russell – 'Comes A Time
10. Steve Earle – Long May You Run
11. Rodney Crowell – Mr. Soul
12. Anders Osborne – Cowgirl in the Sand
13. Charlie Greene – Such A Woman
14. Chris Pierce – Southern Man
