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"Song of America" Overview
Artists as diverse as John Mellencamp, Blind Boys of Alabama, Martha Wainwright, The Black Crowes and Andrew Bird contribute tracks to SONG OF AMERICA, a unique 50-song, three-CD set envisioned by former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and artist/producer Ed Pettersen, and co-produced by Pettersen, Bob Olhsson and Grammy-winning producer David Macias. Due out September 18 as a joint venture between Split Rock Records and 31 Tigers (via RED Distribution), the collection tells the history of our country through song, from 1492 through modern times. These new versions of beloved songs interpreted by contemporary artists who span the folk, blues, rock, R&B, country, classical and hip-hop genres offer listeners a way to connect or reconnect with America’s vast musical and cultural heritage. Janet Reno explains, "I thought that music would be a great way to engage listeners, especially young listeners, and spark their interest so they could gain a greater understanding and appreciation for our history. I am very proud to be associated with this collection of inspired performances." Reno originally conceived of SONG OF AMERICA with Pettersen, who is also her niece’s husband. After Pettersen further developed the idea, they met with David Macias--who earned a Grammy in the Best Traditional Folk Album category for his co-production work on the critically acclaimed 2004 release Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster--and things began to move forward. "The seed for the SONG OF AMERICA was planted," explains Reno, "when Ed entertained me with some of his beautiful folk songs, ‘Nowhere to Roam’ describing the fencing in of the ranges and ‘La Tragedia de Heraclio Bernal’ which recast an old Mexican folk tale." Key tracks include John Mellencamp’s version of Woody Guthrie’s "This Land Is Your Land," Blind Boys of Alabama’s "Let Us Break Bread Together," Bettye LaVette’s transcendent take on Bruce Springsteen’s "Streets Of Philadelphia," the first recording of The Black Crowes’ Robinson brothers singing with their father Stan ("Reuben James"), Martha Wainwright’s updated rendition of "I Am Woman," Andrew Bird’s wistful account of "How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm," Harper Simon’s "Yankee Doodle," and The Del McCoury Band’s soon-to-be-classic take on Bob Dylan’s "The Times, They Are A Changin’."
"Song of America" Specifications
On paper, this project appears as improbable as the partnership that conceived it: former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and veteran Nashville indie-punk troubadour Ed Pettersen (who happens to be married to Reno's niece). The history of America through 50 songs, encapsulated on three discs? The first disc alone spanning 1492 to 1860, from the landing of Columbus to the Civil War? An idiosyncratic selection that includes songs familiar to almost all Americans and others familiar to practically none? Rather than a dry, dusty museum piece, the results are compulsively listenable, as producer Pettersen invites a wide range of artists to do what they do best--interpret the material and make it their own. Highlights are many, as the early days of the republic find Harper Simon (Paul's son) rendering "Yankee Doodle" as if it were an indie-rock Viagra commercial; the advent of the Civil War shows Marah, like an American Pogues, bringing a punk ferocity to "John Brown's Body"; and Del McCoury's bluegrass rendition of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" finds an older man renewing a young Bob Dylan's anthem. The sonorous dignity that jazz vocalist Andy Bey brings to the Depression-era panhandler's plea, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," is particularly moving, as is Bettye LaVette's gospel rendition of Bruce Springsteen's AIDS ballad, "Streets of Philadelphia." Revolution, immigration, war, atomic power, civil rights, feminism, faith, depression, and despair--it's all here, in song. --Don McLeese
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