Graham Nash - Songs For Beginners

John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then the audience puts the questions. Graham Nash has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame - once with The Hollies and then with Crosby, Stills and Nash. In May 1971 he released Songs For Beginners as a solo project (it was one of four solo albums released by each member of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in the wake of their hit album Deja Vu). Made directly following his breakup with Joni Mitchell, many of the songs are about their time together. But it's an album that also reflects his political activism and so the confessional "Simple Man" and wistful "Better Days" sit alongside the still prescient "Military Madness" and the heartfelt "Chicago". He also performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from his new album, which reflects back on a songwriting career that has (so far) spanned more than five decades.