An all-star collection of artists have collaborated to pay tribute to the great folk troubadour John Prine. The project titled, Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, was released earlier this week (June 22) on Prine’s very own Oh Boy Records. The album includes many of the current “monsters of folk,” with Conor Oberst and Jim James’ My Morning Jacket, along with several other indie-folk staples, like Justin Vernon, The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter and many more. I have yet to hear the record but it is already receiving much love from the blogosphere and the greater indie community. Looks like a fun little adventure for Prine and folk enthusiasts. Be on the look out for Prine himself as he will be on tour this summer in support of his own recent release, In Person and On State.
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows Tracklist
1. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver – Bruised Orange (Chain Of Sorrow)
2. Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band – Wedding Day In Funeralville
There seems to be a trend of cover/tribute albums this year. The latest that has come to my attention is the new covers project by Mates of State called Crushes. The record was released last week and includes the duo’s unique take on many different artists, such as Belle & Sebastian, Fleetwood Mac, & Death Cab For Cutie.
The Connecticut based duo have apparently been “talking about doing a covers record for a long time.” I am personally glad that all the talking paid off and that this album has finally come to fruition. The few tracks that I have heard so far are very different from the original, but they stay within Mates of State’s unique indie-pop style. I am very excited to hear the rest of the record.
1. Laura (Girls)
2. Son et Lumiere (The Mars Volta)
3. Sleep the Clock Around (Belle & Sebastian)
4. Technicolor Girls (Death Cab for Cutie)
5. Long Way Home (Tom Waits)
6. Love Letter (Nick Cave)
7. Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
8. 17 Pink Sugar Elephants (Vashti Bunyan)
9. Roller Coaster Ride (Dear Nora)
10. True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston)
Back in April I introduced you all to a new singer/songwriter called Lissie, via her captivating cover of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Well she is back again, this time with a stellar version of hip-hop artist Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness.” I am tempted to once again declare Lissie’s cover the better version of the song. I’m not convinced yet though. For those of you interested in hearing more from Lissie, you will be happy to know that her full-length debut, Catching A Tiger, is coming out later this summer. More on the new album in the weeks to come. For not enjoy this great reinvention of one of the catchiest rap songs of last year.
An all-star collection of artists have collaborated to pay tribute to the great folk troubadour John Prine. The project titled, Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, was released earlier this week (June 22) on Prine’s very own Oh Boy Records. The album includes many of the current “monsters of folk,” with Conor Oberst and Jim James’ My Morning Jacket, along with several other indie-folk staples, like Justin Vernon, The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter and many more. I have yet to hear the record but it is already receiving much love from the blogosphere and the greater indie community. Looks like a fun little adventure for Prine and folk enthusiasts. Be on the look out for Prine himself as he will be on tour this summer in support of his own recent release, In Person and On State.
