Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions [LP]

Take a look at the cover of Rodney Crowells brilliant new album, The Chicago Sessions, and you might recognize a familiar callback to the legendary songwriters 1978 debut.

In a lot of ways, this album feels like that very first record to me, Crowell reflects. When my daughter Chelsea suggested we lay the artwork out similarly, the connection made perfect sense. Theres something very simple, very innocent about it. Its just me and the band in a room together, loose and live and having fun.

Produced by Wilcos Jeff Tweedy, The Chicago Sessions is indeed a throwback to Crowells early days of making records, but its no nostalgia trip. The songs here are vital and timely, touching on everything from love and mortality to race and religion, and the performances are nothing short of intoxicating, fueled by raw guitars, honky-tonk piano, and tight, punchy drums. Tweedy wields a light touch as a producer, his influence subtle yet unmistakable, and engineer Tom Schicks mixes are dynamic and alive, alternately lush and spacious in all the right places with a spotlight fixed firmly on Crowells warm, weathered vocals throughout. Put it all together and youve got a masterful, cross-generational collaboration that manages to feel both fresh and familiar all at once, an incisive, engaging collection that balances careful craftsmanship with joyful liberation at every turn.

Tracklist:

1. Lucky
2. Somebody Loves You
3. Loving You Is The Only Way To Fly
4. Youre Supposed To Be Feeling Good
5. No Place To Fall
6. Oh Miss Claudia
7. Everything At Once (feat. Jeff Tweedy)
8. Ever The Dark
9. Making Lovers Out Of Friends
10. Ready To Move On

UPC: 607396572519
Label: NEW WEST RECORDS
Release Date: 5.5.23
Format: Vinyl