The Nationalcelebrated the release of their massive, three-disc Grateful Dead tribute albumDay of the Dead by visiting CBS This MorningSaturday to perform the legendary jam bands Peggy-O and talk about the all-star tribute compilation.
Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National spoke to CBS Anthony Mason about the mammoth collection, which benefits Red Hot. It was really hard to decide when we were done, because honestly it could be 12 hours long, Aaron Dessner said of the 59-track album.
The twin brothers also talked about performing with the Deads Bob Weir inspired the duo to work on the tribute LP, which also features Wilco, Flaming Lips, Mumford & Sons, the War on Drugs and dozens more.
We had a kind of wish list of artists we wanted to work with, But once word got out, artists started coming to us, Bryce Dessner said. Aaron added, There is chemistry, real chemistry between these groups of people coming together to play the music so well. It wasnt a forced kind of awkward, Lets cover the Grateful Dead. It was like it was already there. We were just kind of turning the faucet on essentially.
The National also performed their dreamy, atmospheric rendition of the Dead live staple, Jerry Garcia and companys version of the Scottish folk song The Bonnie Lass o Fyvie. In addition to the Nationals performance, Bonnie Prince Billy, who pops up on threeDay of the Deadtracks, performed his tender, piano-led take on Shakedown Streets If I Had a World to Give for the program.
Watch Aaron and Bryce Dessners interview with CBS This Morning below: