Last year, country artist Jason Isbell announced he’d do an album of songs made famous by Georgia artists if Joe Biden won the state during the 2020 election.
He is now following through on that promise. A new album, “Georgia Blue,” is coming out Oct. 15 in digital form with CD and vinyl versions released a month later.
The album includes covers of songs by artists ranging from James Brown and Otis Redding to R.E.M. (twice) and the Indigo Girls. He also received help from various musicians such as Steve Gorman, Béla Fleck, Brandi Carlile and his wife, Amanda Shires.
“I will admit my motivations were a bit selfish,” Isbell said in a statement on the album. “For years, I’ve been looking for an excuse to record these songs with my band and some friends. The songs on this album are some of my favorite Georgia-related songs.”
He also told Rolling Stone magazine: “It was so much fun and it didn’t take us very long to do, and it was really nice to go into the studio and not have the pressure of bringing in a bunch of new songs, because I already know all these songs are great. And, you know, I got to sing my favorite Vic Chesnutt song and Amanda got to sing Cat Power.”
He said the proceeds will go to Black Voters Matter, Fair Fight, and Georgia STAND-UP.
The track list:
1. “Nightswimming” (R.E.M.) feat. Béla Fleck and Chris Thile
2. “Honeysuckle Blue” (Drivin’ N’ Cryin’) feat. Sadler Vaden
3. “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (James Brown) feat. Brittney Spencer
4. “Cross Bones Style” (Cat Power) feat. Amanda Shires
5. “The Truth” (Precious Bryant) feat. Adia Victoria
6. “I’ve Been Loving 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 Overhead)
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. Peter Levin
12. “I’m Through” (Vic Chesnutt)
13. “Driver 8” (R.E.M.) feat. John Paul White
