Jason Isbell announces Georgia Covers Album “Georgia Blue”

With all eyes on Georgia in the days following the 2020 presidential election, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell made a promise: “If Biden wins Georgia, I’ll do a cover charity album.” of my favorite Georgian songs – REM, Gladys Knight, Vic Chesnutt, Allmans, Cat Power, Precious Bryant, Now It’s Overhead, etc… And damn, is that going to be fun, ”he said. tweeted at the time. Joe Biden shockingly became the first Democratic candidate to win Georgia in nearly 30 years, so Isbell got down to business – and now the resulting album, Georgia Blue, comes out next month, October 15th.

The album features covers of all these promised artists (including of them REM cuts), as well as songs from James Brown, Otis Redding, the Indigo Girls, and more. And Isbell did it with the help of a few friends, from Julien Baker and Brandi Carlile (who, in an unusually odd turn of events, guests on “Kid Fears” from Indigo Girls “) to his own wife Amanda Shires ( featured on Cat Power’s “Cross Bones Style”), to his group the 400 Unit, who supported him on the album. And he will donate all profits to Black Voters Matter, Fair Fight and Georgia STAND-UP.

“I have to admit my motives were a little selfish,” Isbell, himself an Alabamian, said in a statement on the album. “For years I searched for an excuse to record these songs with my band and friends. The songs on this album are some of my favorite songs related to Georgia. Today’s announcement comes with REM’s cover of Isbell of “Driver 8”, starring John Paul White, formerly of the US duo Civil Wars. “Keep listening to great music and fighting the good fight,” Isbell added. Find the full list of songs below.

1. “Nightswimming” (REM) exploit. Béla Fleck and Chris Thile
2. “Honeysuckle Blue” (Drivin ‘N’ Cryin ‘) feat. Sadler Vaden
3. “This is the human man’s world” (James Brown) feat. Brittney spencer
4. “Cross Bones Style” (Cat Power) feat. Amanda shires
5. The feat of “The Truth” (Precious Bryant). Adia victoria
6. “I love you too long” (Otis Redding)
7. “Sometimes Salvation” (The Black Crowes) feat. Steve gorman
8. “Kid Fears” (Indigo Girls) feat. Julien Baker and Brandi Carlile
9. “Reverse” (now it’s above)
10. “Midnight Train to Georgia” (Gladys Knight & The Pips) feat. Brittney Spencer and John Paul White
11. “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” (The Allman Brothers Band) feat. Pierre Levin
12. “I’m done” (Vic Chesnutt)
13. “Pilot 8” (REM) exploit. Jean-Paul Blanc