My Morning Jacket and Modest Mouse Unveil Neil Young Covers for New ‘Heart of Gold’ Tribute Albums

My Morning Jacket and Modest Mouse have each released a cover of a Neil Young song from the upcoming tribute albums “Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2: Out of the Blue” and “Vol. 3: Into the Black.” Both collections are set for release on November 6, 2026, with proceeds going to The Bridge School.

My Morning Jacket paired with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a rendition of “Like a Hurricane,” a song Neil Young wrote in 1975 before releasing it on his 1977 album “American Stars ‘n Bars.” Modest Mouse joined forces with the Chicago band Califone to record “Barstool Blues,” which Young originally cut with Crazy Horse in 1975 for the album “Zuma.”

• Both tribute volumes arrive November 6, 2026, and together make up a 24-track set.
• My Morning Jacket recorded its cover live at Marigny Studios in New Orleans with producer Ross Hogarth.
• The Bridge School was established in 1986 by Neil and Pegi Young and is marking its 40th anniversary this year.
• The first “Heart of Gold” volume came out in April 2025 with 14 Young songs performed by artists including Eddie Vedder, Fiona Apple and Brandi Carlile.

What Jim James Said About Recording ‘Like a Hurricane’

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James described the recording session as a chance to reconnect with a cause the band has supported at past Bridge School Benefit concerts. “We were so honored to get to be at several of the Bridge School Benefit concerts in the past, and are so honored to once again be a part of raising funds for this amazing school, with these amazing songs of Neil Young,” James said in a statement.

James explained that bringing in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band was meant to give the track an extra spark. “We felt like teaming up with Preservation Hall Jazz Band would add some magic to this track, so we all got together with producer Ross Hogarth down in New Orleans and recorded it live at Marigny Studios,” he said.

Why Isaac Brock Chose ‘Barstool Blues’ Over ‘Cortez the Killer’

Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock revealed that “Barstool Blues” was not his first pick for the tribute project. He said he had already begun work on a version of “Cortez the Killer” before deciding to change course. “I had initially chosen and started working on a cover of ‘Cortez the Killer’ before I realized that, in order to pull this off the way I’d like to, it was going to take me a thousand hours,” Brock said in a statement. “Then it struck me: there is a song that I like just as much and find personally more relatable, ‘Barstool Blues.’ This was a song I could really sink my teeth into.”

Brock added that the song carried a more immediate emotional pull for him than “Cortez the Killer,” which he said held more of a historical resonance. He also noted his approach to distinguishing the cover from Young’s original: “I made it go Kraut,” he said, calling the whole experience “a wonderful project to be included on.”

‘Heart of Gold’ Tribute Series and The Bridge School

The two new volumes are being issued through Cinema Music Group and Killphonic Records, with City Slang handling physical distribution and marketing in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Every artist involved donated their recording in support of The Bridge School’s mission.

The Bridge School was founded by Neil Young and his then-wife Pegi Young to support their son, Ben, along with others facing severe speech and physical impairments. The organization is observing its 40th anniversary this year.

Ahead of the arrival of Vol. 2 and Vol. 3, King Princess released a cover of “Helpless” and Draco Rosa shared a version of “After the Gold Rush.” The full rosters for both volumes include contributions from LP, Ann Wilson, Peter Frampton, Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Edie Brickell, Tyler Ballgame, Sharlotte Gibson, Jesse Malin, Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera, Dramarama, Briston Maroney, Ben Gibbard, MJ Lenderman, Cold War Kids, Kurt Vile and The Violators, Devendra Banhart, Emily Hackett, RAC with Kelcey Ayer, and New Constellations.

‘Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2: Out of the Blue’ Tracklist

1. My Morning Jacket featuring Preservation Hall Jazz Band, “Like A Hurricane”
2. Ann Wilson, “Walk With Me”
3. Draco Rosa, “After The Gold Rush”
4. Peter Frampton & John Jorgenson feat. Jay Dee Maness, Herb Pedersen, Steve Duncan, and Mark Fain, “Heart of Gold”
5. Lucinda Williams, “Don’t Be Denied”
6. Los Lobos, “Cinnamon Girl”
7. Edie Brickell, “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
8. Tyler Ballgame, “Tell Me Why”
9. Sharlotte Gibson, “Ohio”
10. Jesse Malin, “Pocahontas”
11. Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera, “Rockin’ In The Free World”
12. Dramarama, “Kinda Fonda Wanda”

‘Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 3: Into the Black’ Tracklist

1. Briston Maroney, “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)”
2. LP, “Harvest Moon”
3. King Princess, “Helpless”
4. Modest Mouse featuring Califone, “Barstool Blues”
5. Ben Gibbard, “Don’t Cry No Tears”
6. MJ Lenderman, “Separate Ways”
7. Cold War Kids, “Tonight’s The Night”
8. Kurt Vile and The Violators, “When Your Lonely Heart Breaks”
9. Devendra Banhart, “Pardon My Heart”
10. Emily Hackett, “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”
11. RAC x Kelcey Ayer, “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)”
12. New Constellations, “Unknown Legend”

More Info

• My Morning Jacket Modest Mouse Cover Neil Young For Heart Of Gold Benefit Album | JamBase
• My Morning Jacket Modest Mouse Share Their Covers From New Neil Young Tribute Albums | Stereogum
• My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse Unveil Neil Young Covers for Tribute Albums: Stream | Consequence
• Hear My Morning Jacket and Modest Mouse Take on Two Neil Young Classics Ahead of Upcoming Tribute Comps | floodmagazine.com
• Photos: MY MORNING JACKET, MODEST MOUSE Cover Neil Young Tracks | broadwayworld.com
• Hear My Morning Jacket, Preservation Hall Jazz Band Cover Neil Young’s ‘Like a Hurricane’ | rollingstone.com