Graham Nash has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind—whether through his timeless songwriting, political activism, or candid reflections on life with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Now, at 80 years old, Nash is revisiting his first two solo albums, Songs for Beginners and Wild Tales, with a new live double album that captures the raw simplicity and emotional depth that made those records enduring classics.
Speaking with Kyle Meredith With..., Nash shared the inspiration behind the live album, crediting his wife Amy for planting the seed. "She said, 'I'd like to see a show like that,' and I thought, why not?" Nash recalls. Despite only three days of rehearsal with a band he'd never played with before, the performances are strikingly intimate and authentic. "Apart from two mistakes on my part—one on harmonica and one on electric piano—there are no overdubs. It’s purely live."
Reflecting on the original Songs for Beginners, Nash described it as a necessary outlet during a time when CSN, CSNY, and Crosby-Nash weren't recording. "We were all writing constantly—me, David, Stephen, Neil—but when none of the groups were active, I had all these songs with nowhere to go." The result was a solo debut filled with personal and political reflections, many of which, Nash notes, are still painfully relevant today.
The album opens with "Military Madness," a song whose relevance has sadly endured. "It’s incredibly important to me that we haven't learned from history," Nash says, addressing the current war in Ukraine. "I started my recent tour with Find the Cost of Freedom, followed by Military Madness. I told the audience, ‘Normally I’d start with something familiar and ease you in, but people are being slaughtered right now.’ I’ll continue to do that as long as this insane war continues."
Nash also touched on how he updates some of his older songs to reflect current issues. "Songs like Prison Song and Grave Concern are just as relevant today. It’s sad, but it shows these issues haven’t gone away." Despite the heavy subject matter, Nash balances the setlist with lighter, more intimate tracks like "Sleep Song," which he wrote for his first wife, Rose. "I had a dream she was leaving me. She wasn’t, but in my dream, I saw the back of her dress as she slipped through the door. It’s an incredibly simple song—just three chords, something I learned from Buddy Holly."
Of course, no conversation about Nash’s solo work would be complete without mentioning Joni Mitchell, whose influence and presence loom large over both Songs for Beginners and Wild Tales. "Once I fell in love with Joni, I knew I’d love her for the rest of my life," Nash admits. Their relationship, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on his songwriting, and their mutual respect has endured through the decades. "Every year on her birthday, I send her a bouquet of roses," he reveals. "She’s an incredible woman, a great songwriter, and an amazing painter." While their time together may have been brief, the emotional resonance of that chapter in his life continues to shape his music and legacy.
While Nash’s solo work often delves into personal stories, his connection to CSN and CSNY remains a defining part of his legacy. He reflected on the dynamics within the group, particularly the shift that occurred when Neil Young joined. "The first Crosby, Stills & Nash album is full of sunshine and Laurel Canyon romance. By the time we made Deja Vu with Neil, everything had changed. I wasn’t with Joni [Mitchell] anymore, Stephen wasn’t with Judy [Collins], and David’s girlfriend had tragically passed away. Neil brought a certain darkness to our music, and that’s what made CSNY a completely different band."
Despite the group's turbulent history, Nash still considers his bandmates family. "They’re my brothers. I never had any brothers growing up, so these guys became my family. Sure, we argue like brothers, but that’s part of it."
Nash also touched on the group’s decision to pull their music from Spotify in solidarity with Neil Young’s protest against COVID misinformation on the platform. "Crosby had been railing against Spotify for years because of how little they pay artists. But when Joe Rogan started spreading misinformation, that was the last straw. Neil pulled his music, and we followed. It wasn’t about the money—it was about doing what felt right."
Looking ahead, Nash is excited about new music on the horizon. He’s nearly finished with a new solo album, despite the challenges of recording during a pandemic. "A lot of it was done remotely because of COVID, but my producer, Todd Caldwell, wanted it to sound like five guys playing live in a room together. I think we pulled it off."
With a legacy that spans decades and continues to evolve, Graham Nash remains a vital voice in both music and activism. His new live album is a testament to the enduring power of simple, heartfelt songs—and the man who refuses to stop making them.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
