Centro-Matic's Will Johnson to Join Jay Farrar, Jim James on Album of Woody Guthrie Songs

By Daniel Hopkins Thu., Nov. 3 2011 at 1:07 PM

Woody Guthrie and Will Johnson kinda look alike, amiright?

As far as collaborations go, it's hard to imagine that Centro-Matic's Will Johnson would be able to top his stint in Monsters Of Folk, with whom he backed up Conner Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward and Mike Mogus, on the drums. But this morning we learn that Johnson's going to work on a project associated with some equally impressive artists.

As Listen, Dammit reports, Johnson will team up with Jay Farrar, whose band, Son Volt, has laid dormant for a few years since releasing their last album, American Central Dust; Anders Parker; and Jim James, who is going by his non-My Morning Jacket Yim Yames moniker. The purpose of the project is to create an album of Woody Guthrie songs, which is, interestingly enough, something Farrar's ex-Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jeff Tweedy has already done on his Mermaid Avenue collaboration with Billy Bragg.

Nevermind the potential copycat accusations. It will be interesting to hear Farrar's distinct voice singing Guthrie songs, and even more interesting to hear Johnson's contribution on whatever songs they choose to do.

According to Farrar's website, the record will be released on Rounder in January 2012, which will mark the centennial anniversary of Guthrie's birth.

We're still not sure what Johnson's role in the band will be. We reached out to Centro-Matic's publicist and were told that they're "not ready to talk about this project just yet."

Stay tuned.

Tags:

Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Yim Yames

We Recommend

1127589155

timberland botas is known for the fashion.Thisyear's winter monclerjassen outlet and leatheras the main character,monclergiacca theannual autumn and

Canada goose jakke , but this year. Carry on

uggsoutlet

with your fingertips, infact, is the simple, practical style, is the most typical

moncleronline of style.

1127589155

Keep your nike free run laptop batteryhealthy by fully charging and then fully discharging moncler italia itat least once a month.It is ideally suited forpeople, particularly for some sub-standard components of unquestionablythe body. The uggboots sale are made of the high quality material, whichis famous for the world. And timberland botas is known for the fashion.Thisyear's winter monclerjassen outlet and leatheras the main character,monclergiacca theannual autumn and Canada goose jakke , but this year. Carry on

uggsoutlet with your fingertips, in fact, is the simple, practical style, isthe most typical moncleronline of style.

jcz

Love it, long time Farrar fan and in the past year Will's blowing me away. This is Woody so I wont say much, but this will blow Tweedy and Bragg's stuff away. I always thought of Jay having the heart. He's still here at home doing benefit shows and making albums. Can't wait!

Noah W. Bailey

From what I understand this is a true collaboration, with all parties contributing music for Guthrie's lyrics.

http://kdhx.org/music/music-ne...

Darryl

why not just call it "mermaid avenue, part III"? or better yet, why don't farrar and tweedy bury the hatchet and record this together. ask bob mould and grant hart to help out as well.