My Morning Jacket is ready to usher in the holiday season with a special Christmas-themed iTunes Session EP out today! This comes after a busy year that included tours through the U.S. and Europe, and the release of the bands 6th full-length album, Circuital, which just secured a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Album. My Morning Jacket has at least one more surprise up their sleeve before the year is out.
The EP features beautiful re-imaginings of Christmas standards “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, which showcase Jim James’ transcendent, striking vocals and the band’s appropriately graceful arrangements. It also includes two special holiday gifts: a reworking of Circuital’s “Wonderful (The Way I Feel)” and a brand new song “Welcome Home.” Both tracks compliment the warmth and sincerity of the Christmas classics.
This collection of songs was recorded in one 14-hour session while on tour in Amsterdam. Like on Circuital, each track was recorded live as a one-take performance, capturing the organic spontaneity My Morning Jacket has come to embody. The iTunes Sessions EP is a great stocking stuffer for any My Morning Jacket fan, or the perfect mood setter while sitting around the Yule Log.
Also arriving next week in select independent records stores is the limited 7" with the fan favorite "Friends Again" as the A-side and an “Alternate Universe Mix” of "Outta My System" placed on side B.
Please check your local independent record store to make sure they will carry this very limited piece.
**Jason Ashcraft is a freelance music writer who focuses on Kentucky's original music scene. Visit his blog at LouisvilleScuttlebutt.com or you scan this QR code on your smart phone to view the mobile site:
