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If there are any two words that get a music fan’s heart rate going like “three-CD set envisioned by former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno,” well, I guess I’m unlucky enough not to know ’em.
(Least appealing press release in recent memory follows the jump.)
DATE: JUNE 18, 2007
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI
‘SONG OF AMERICA’
50-SONG, THREE-DISC COLLECTION TELLS STORY OF AMERICA THROUGH SONG;
JOHN MELLENCAMP, BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, MARTHA WAINWRIGHT, THE BLACK CROWES, ANDREW BIRD AND OTHERS CONTRIBUTE TRACKS
“The historical detail of the songs fascinated me and I suggested that Ed [Pettersen] record a whole album of songs focusing on key periods in American history, in order to tell our story to young people who might find joy in learning history through music.”
—Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General
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 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’.”
The complete track listing for SONG OF AMERICA is as follows:
Lakota Dream Song Earl Bullhead
Once More Our God Vouchsafe To Shine Julie Lee
Let Us Break Bread Together Blind Boys of Alabama
God Save The King John Wesley Harding
Young Ladies In Town Elizabeth Foster
The Old Woman Taught Wisdom Malcom Holcombe
The Liberty Song Ed Pettersen
Yankee Doodle Harper Simon
Jefferson & Liberty The Wilders
Hail Columbia Steven Kowalczyk-Santoro
Star Spangled Banner Take 6
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child Beth Nielsen Chapman
Peg and Awl Freedy Johnston
Sweet Betsy From Pike BR549
Trail of Tears Will Hill and Jehnean Day Washington
Declaration Of Sentiments Minton Sparks and Pat Flynn
Go Down Moses Fisk Jubilee Singers
Dixie’s Land Mavericks featuring Thad Cockrell
John Brown’s Body Marah
Battle Hymn of the Republic Joanna Smith
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye Janis Ian
Thousands Are Sailing To Amerikay Tim O’Brien
The Farmer Is The Man Otis Gibbs
Home On The Range Joni Harms
Stars & Stripes Forever Jake Shimabukuro
Over There Jen Chapin
How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down
On The Farm Andrew Bird
Lift Every Voice And Sing Karen Parks
Happy Days Are Here Again Danielson
Brother Can Spare A Dime? Andy Bey
Seven Cent Cotton and Forty Cent Meat Jim Lauderdale
Deportee Old Crow Medicine Show
Rosie The Riveter Suzy Bogguss
Reuben James Folk Family Robinson
Apache Tears Scott Kempner
The Great Atomic Power Elizabeth Cook and The Grascals
Little Boxes Devendra Banhart
The Times They Are A Changin’ The Del McCoury Band
Get Together Kim Richey
Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud The Dynamites/Charles Walker
Ohio Ben Taylor
What’s Going On Anthony David
I Am Woman Martha Wainwright
Youngstown Matthew Ryan
Streets Of Philadelphia Bettye LaVette
Wave Gary Heffern/Chris Eckman
The Message Shortee
Sleep, My Child (Schlof Mayn Kind) Judith Edelman/Neilson Hubbard
Where Were You When The World
Stopped Turning The Wrights
This Land Is Your Land John Mellencamp
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Marcee Rondan
Senior Vice President
MSO
14724 Ventura Blvd. Suite 710
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
[PHONE NUMBER REDACTED]
www.msopr.com