The National cover Grateful Dead’s ‘Morning Dew’ on Colbert

Ahead of releasing their star-studded tribute album ‘Day of the Dead’ later this month (on 20th May via 4AD, to be precise) The National dropped by Colbert to play a cover of Grateful Dead’s ‘Morning Dew,’ which appears on the compilation.

A project several years in the making, the record is a benefit for the AIDs-fighting not-for-profit company The Red Hot Organization. Brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner - both from The National - have curated the album, and basically everyone in music ever appears on the tracklisting. 60 artists in total make up the massive roll-call.

From Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste, to Courtney Barnett, Jenny Lewis, and Kurt Vile and the Violators to Perfume Genius, Angel Olsen, Wilco, and Shura there are a huge number of musicians getting involved in the fundraiser. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Real Estate, Fucked Up, and The Flaming Lips also appear, among many others. This is The Red Hot Organization’s 20th original compilation, and follows on from the totally ace 2009 collection ‘Dark Was The Night’.

Read our guide to some of the most influential compilation albums going here, and watch The National’s Colbert performance below.