The Avett Brothers’ Seth Avett recorded an album of covers of songs written by renowned singer-songwriter Greg Brown. Ramseur Records will release Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown on November 4.
According to press materials, Avett “transcribed, interpreted and went deep inside 10 songs by the indie legend who’s been one of his guiding lights since he first heard him at age 15.” Avett’s first preview of the tribute album is the single, “Good Morning Coffee,” which is out now. Avett co-produced the album with Dana Nielsen and recorded it primarily in various hotels around the country while touring with his band.
Regarding the project, Avett stated:
“When I heard Greg Brown’s music, it opened the door to a world of songwriting inspiration. Since then, I’ve been connecting to the arc of a man’s life and his story. It’s laid bare the simultaneous nature of the entire human experience in a way. With this record, I just hope listeners get an introduction to Greg Brown, and for anyone who can enjoy it, I hope it’s a bridge into a place that otherwise perhaps they wouldn’t have walked into.
“I wanted to explore, not just through listening, but through my hands, through my body, through my own vocal cords, what some of the deeper meaning of these songs are. They’re very malleable – lending themselves more easily to interpretation and discovery.
“He has such a unique, incredible kind of sage-like energy. The most confusing thing to me now is how in the world he made so many records, because as I know him, as a man in his seventies, the day is coming to him. He doesn’t seem to be chasing anything, and the idea of ambition is just hilarious, when coupled with his spirit and personality.
“I see him as a master songwriter. I don’t think all of this work is indicative of his narrative. There is an autobiography through his forty records, but he is speaking for us. Like all the great authors and poets speak for us. He is in those records fully, but there’s a lot more in them than just him.”
An Iowa native, Brown released his first album, Hacklebarney with Dick Pinney in 1974. Subsequent solo albums 44 & 66 and The Iowa Waltz were released in the early 1980s. Brown has released more than 25 albums, his most recent 2012’s Hymns to What Is Left.
Avett recently met Brown at his home in Iowa that he shares with his wife, fellow singer-songwriter Iris Dement. Avett will open The Avett Brothers’ show at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on November 4 — the album’s release day — with a Greg Brown-centric set.
“Before we met, I had sent him three songs,” Avett added. “I think that helped open the door a bit and make him more willing to take me seriously. Otherwise, I’m just some dude coming out of nowhere, like, ‘I love your songs and I made this record.’”
Stream “Good Morning Coffee,” which appeared on Brown’s 1985 album In The Dark With You, below:
Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown Tracklist
- The Poet Game
- Good Morning Coffee
- Just a Bum
- You Drive Me Crazy
- I Slept All Night by My Lover
- My New Book
- Laughing River
- Telling Stories
- The Iowa Waltz
- Tenderhearted Child
