Jim James To Relase George Harrison Cover Album

from Billboard
Jim James does George Harrison covers as Yim Yames.
June 24, 2009 12:19 PM ET

Michael D. Ayers, N.Y.
Although roots-rock act My Morning Jacket are enjoying some much needed downtime after a big 2008, frontman Jim James isn't resting. For his first official solo outing, James will debut a George Harrison tribute EP entitled "Tribute To" under the name "Yim Yames" on August 4. The six song set is due on ATO and was recorded a few days after Harrison passed away in 2001. James takes on four of Harrison's tracks from "All Things Must Pass" and two tunes that he penned with the Beatles: "Long, Long, Long" and "Love You To."

The set is said to evoke a "raw, minimalist feel" with James utilizing just his voice and an acoustic guitar. James refers to Harrison as "a prime example of the healing power of music" in the liner notes.

Also slated is an album with indie folk rockers Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and M. Ward, under the tongue-in-cheek moniker "Monsters of Folk." The fifteen song, self-titled set is due September 22 on Shangri-La Music. The four have shared stages dating back to 2004 when they embarked on a tour together that was later referred to by the musicians and crew as the "Monsters of Folk." The studio recording efforts have taken place over the last two years with all four members playing every instrument featured on the recording.

My Morning Jacket have risen over the last few years to be a dominant force on the touring circuit, capping 2008 with a sold out New Year's Eve gig at Madison Square Garden. Their recent studio efforts have also faired well; 2008's "Evil Urges" has sold 194,000 according to Nielson SoundScan and its best seller is 2005's "Z" at 243,000.

With the success of My Morning Jacket, James has been stepping out on his own more- he recently joined the likes of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow and Eddie Vedder at David Lynch's "Change Begins Within" Concert at Radio City Music Hall. James also recently ventured down to New Orleans and recorded with legendary act Preservation Hall Jazz Band for an upcoming benefit album for legendary concert venue Preservation Hall.

Although no dates are firm, a Monsters of Folk tour is expected to begin in September.

Here is the "Tribute To" track list:

"Long, Long, Long"
"Behind That Locked Door"
"Love You To"
"My Sweet Lord"
"Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)"
"All Things Must Pass"

Here is the "Monsters of Folk" track list:

"Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)"
"Say Please"
"Whole Lotta Losin'"
"Temazcal"
"The Right Place"
"Baby Boomer"
"Man Named Truth"
"Goodway"
"Ahead of the Curve"
"Slow Down Jo"
"Losin Yo Head"
"Magic Marker"
"Map Of The World"
"The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me"
"His Master's Voice"

Austin Music Picks for the Week

Monday, June 22nd:
Cactus Cafe: Shane Nicholson, Kasey Chambers
Continental Club: Continental Graffiti, Earl Poole Ball & the Cosmic Americans
Hole in the Wall: McKay Bros, Leslie & the Badgers, Paul Minor, Jim Trainer & His Workingman's Blues Band, Leo Rondeau
Ming's Cafe: Brad Houser, Eldridge Goins, Trevor Labonte, Leah Zeger
Saxon Pub: Matt the Electrician, Bob Schneider, Jeff Plankenhorn
The Scoot Inn: Show Me Tiger!
Stubb's: Outside: The Heartless Bastards, Jenny Lewis; Inside Later: Suzanna Choffel

Tuesday, June 23rd:
Botticelli's: Kalu James
Continental Club: Toni Price, Leeann Atherton
Saxon Pub: Phil Lee, No Show Ponies, Sean Fairies
Waterloo Records in-store: Charlie Robison (5pm)

Wednesday, June 24th:
Antone's: Girl Guitar, Akina Adderly & the Vintage Playboys
Carousel Lounge: Amanda Hickey, Russell Beach, Gracias Holmes
Chain Drive: Fresh Millions, Butcher Bear & Charlie
Emo's: Outside: Bavu Blakes, Traygood, Zeale, Strongarm Steady, Talib Kweli
Momo's: Ryan Harkrider, Johnny Goudie, Dan Dyer, Jess Klein
Red Fez: Atash
Saxon Pub: Dean Seltzer, Walt Wilkins, the Trishes, Steven Ray Will
Trophy's: Something Called Nothing, When Pandas Attack, Smiling Knights

Thursday, June 25th:
The Amsterdam: Kacy Crowley, Billy Harvey
Austin Moose Lodge No. 1735: Post Honeymoon, Falcon Buddies, Focus Group
Beauty Bar: Trouble & Bass
Cactus Cafe: Scott Miller
Emo's: Outside: Butcher Bear & Charlie, Many Birthdays, International Waters, Red Leaves
Flipnotics: Troy Campbell, Ethan Azarian, Brian Beattie, Lee Barber, BettySoo, Aaron Blount
Lucky Lounge: Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, Twilight Broadcast
The Madison: Mista Swift, Graham Wilkinson
Mohawk: 2 Live Crew
Momo's: Grant Ewing, Kalu James, Jonny Burke, Earle Brown
The Parish: Zest of Yore w/ The Golden Boys
The Scoot Inn: Shawn Nelson & the Ramblers, Charlie Terrell & the Murdered Johns, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, Darren Hoff & the Hard Times
Stubb's: The Soldier Thread, Speak, Built by Snow

Friday, June 26th:
The Parish: John Vanderslice & The Tallest Man on Earth
The Parlor: Autons
Threadgill's World HQ: The Greencards

Saturday, June 27th:
BB Rovers: Bob Cheevers
Cactus Cafe: Eliza Gilkyson
Dougherty Arts Center: Atash
Jovita's: Nakia & His Southern Cousins
Ruta Maya: Georgia & the Boys, Edison Chair
Threadgill's World HQ: La Guerilla, Grupo Fantasma

Sunday, June 28th:
Lamberts: Black, Red & Black
Long Center Terrace Lawn: Austin Symphony Orchestra
Waterloo Ice House on 38th Street: Jeff Lofton Quartet (11am)

Pre-Release Preview Track from Deer Tick's Upcoming Release!

Deer Tick's latest album, Born on Flag Day, is being released next Tuesday, June 23rd. Be one of the first to check out this track for an early taste of what's to come! Enjoy!

Deer Tick
"Easy" (mp3)
from "Born on Flag Day"
(Partisan Records)

More On This Album

Austin Show Picks of the Week

I want to encourage any Austinites to sigh the petition below. I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.

"Save Austin Music!"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/austinmusic?e

As always, there is some great music on the agenda for this week in Austin. Highlights for me last week included No Show Ponies, Kalu James, and Deleted Scenes. Now go see some live music!

Monday, June 15:
Antone's: Anni Rossi, Camera Obscura
Beauty Bar: Code Named Code, the Grown-Ups
Mings Cafe: Brad Houser, Eldridge Goins, Steve Johnson, Matt Hubbard
Mohawk: Pink Nasty, Little Gentlemen, Vitamins, Mt St Helens Vietnam Band
Saxon Pub: Matt the Electrician, Billy Harvey, Jeff Plankenhorn, the Twalls
Stubb's: Amanda Blank, Trouble Andrew, Santigold (or Santogold, as I still like to think of her)

Tuesday, June 16:
Cactus Cafe: Molly Venter, Suzanna Choffel
Emo's: Outside: Bear Colony, The Dear Hunter, mewithoutyou; Inside: Bright Light Social Hour, Quiet Company, Dear & the Headlights
Iguana Grill: Greezy Wheels
The Parlor: That Damned Band
Saxon Pub: Waylon Payne (5pm), George Macias, No Show Ponies, Trent Turner
vino vino: Kat Edmonson

Wednesday, June 17:
The Amsterdam: Paula Nelson, Bo Porter
The Belmont: Skyrocket! (yes, a cover band, but probably the best one in Austin)
Continental Club: Kevin Welch, Jon Dee Graham, James McMurtry
Creekside Lounge: L.A. Dies, Goldcure, the Executive Life
Mohawk: The Black Shirts, Followed by Static, The Strange Attractors, Golden Boys
Red Fez: Atash
Saxon Pub: Monte Montgomery, Walt Wilkins, the Trishes, Steven Ray Will, Garrett LeBeau
Stubb's: Tom Schraeder, the Devil Makes Three
Symphony Square: Children's Day Art Park w/ Beto y los Fairlanes (9:30am)
Waterloo Park: Blues on the Green w/ Cyril Neville
Z Tejas: Will Sexton, Stephen Doster, Bill Carter (6pm)

Thursday, June 18:
The Amsterdam: Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus, Betty Soo, Karen Mal, Will Taylor, Meagan Tubb
Botticelli's: Chris Jamison
Carousel Lounge: Robin Rubbermaid, Automusik, Mistress Stephanie & Her Melodic Cat
Emo's: Inside: Booher & the Turkeys, Royal Bangs, Oh No! Oh My!; Outside: Peter Murphy
Gruene Hall: Porterdavis
Mohawk: Starving Martyrs, Cali Zack, B Real & Bizzy Bone
Saxon Pub: Tom Gilliam, George Devore, Jarrett Schaub
The Scoot Inn: Dave Clucas & the Horsepainters, Chaparral w/ Jeff Hughes, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, Mike & the Moonpies

Friday, June 19:
Cactus Cafe: Guy Forsyth
Evangeline Cafe: Murder Ballads w/ Jon Dee Graham & Jessee Sublett
Mohawk: Outside: Pattern Is Movement, St. Vincent; Inside: The Sad Accordions, The Soldier Thread
Southpark Meadows: Paul Green School of Rock Music
Waterloo Records in-store: St Vincent (5pm)

Saturday, June 20:
Cactus Cafe: Rhythm Angels, Jimmy LaFave
Guero's: The Boxing Lesson (6pm)
Hanover's: Paul Green School of Rock Music, Cracker Mojo
Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill: Blues Mafia, Omar & the Howlers

Sunday, June 21:
Long Center Terrace Lawn: Symphony In the Park w/ Austin Symphony Orchestra (7:30pm)

Austin Show Picks of the Week

Monday, June 8:
The Independent: Little Joy
Ming's Cafe: Brad Houser, Eldridge Goins, Laura Scarborough
Saxon Pub: Matt the Electrician, Bob Schneider, Jeff Plankenhorn, the Twalls
Stubb's: JJ Grey & Mofro, Gomez
Waterloo In-Store: Gomez (5pm)

Tuesday, June 9:
Austin Music Hall: Dub Trio, Les Claypool, Matisyahu
Continental Club: Gallery: Ephraim Owens Experience, Club: Planet Casper, Row Craven
Evangeline Cafe: Brennen Leigh, Kevin Gallaugher, Greg Anderson
Saxon Pub: Waylon Payne (5pm), Shelley King, Adam Hood, Relentless Jones

Wednesday, June 10:
The Amsterdam: Matt Hubbard, Kittinger
Antone's: Ben Mallott, Chris Hawkes, Douglas Jay Boyd
Cactus Cafe: Sarah Jarosz CD Release
The Independent: Clues
Momo's: Ryan Harkrider & the Night Owls, Johnny Goudie, Ginger Leigh, Jess Klein
Republic Square Park: The Black & White Years, Fastball (5pm)
Waterloo In-Store: Tish Hinojosa

Thursday, June 11:
Antone's: Blues Mafia, Akina Adderly & the Vintage Playboys
Continental Club: Howlin' Wolf Tribute w/ Jesse Sublett, Jon Dee Graham, Charlie Terrell & the Murdered Johns, Izzy Cox, Derek O'Brien, Kathy Valentine, David Murray, Eve Monsees & Mike Buck, Big Foot Chester, Nathan Singleton
Emo's: Drums of Death, Peaches
Gruene Hall: Brock Zeman, Dan Walsh
Hole in the Wall: Snowbyrd, the Summer Wardrobe, Kevin McCarthy & Strawdog
Mohawk: Outside: Woven Bones, Crocodiles, Holy Fuck; Inside Later: Moonlight Towers, Goldcure
Momo's: Wisebird, Spring Standards, Johnny Burke, Kalu James
MonkeyWrench Books: That Damned Band, Jordan Moser, Chicken Little
One World Theatre: Edwin McCain
The Scoot Inn: Doug Warriner & His Only Band, Paul Minor & the Texas Tycoons, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, Austin Collins & the Rainbirds

Friday, June 12:
Momo's: Kacy Crowley, Shawn Pander, Marmalakes, Feeding 5000
Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill: Doug Warriner, Paul Minor & the Texas Tycoons
Romeo's: Rob Greenfield & Ephraim Owens

Saturday, June 13:
Cherrywood Coffeehouse: Brave Julius, Fluoxetine, Ukemi
Club de Ville: Loxsly, Deleted Scenes, La Snacks
Lamberts: KJ Hines, Perseph One, Devin the Dude
Momo's: Amy Atchley, Skyblue, Patrice Pike

Sunday, June 14:
Continental Club: Gallery: Jon Dee Graham & James McMurtry, Mike Flanigin

Monday Sucks. Enjoy Some Free Tracks From The Fresh & Onlys

Here's hoping this starts your week off on the right foot - free pre-release tracks from San Francisco's garage/psych/pop The Fresh & Onlys. The album will be released in July.

The Fresh & Onlys
"Peacock and Wing" (mp3)
from "The Fresh & Onlys"
(Howells Transmitter)

More On This Album


The Fresh & Onlys
"Endless Love" (mp3)
from "The Fresh & Onlys"
(Howells Transmitter)

More On This Album