Okay, let me explain, y’all. On March 17, bright-eyed-guy Conor Oberst will release his brand new album — presumably concerning the theme of getting older and its effects on one’s relationship to drugs and friends — on Nonesuch Records.
Or… well, kinda brand new?
See, the 17-track affair, titled Salutations and recorded with a full-band comprised of The Felice Brothers and superhero drummer Jim Keltner (dude’s held it down for Neil Young, Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and more) — not to mention a chunky smattering of guest stars like Jim James, M. Ward, Gillian Welch, Blake Mills, and Jonathan Wilson — is actually a reconstruction of last year’s humble 10-track album Ruminations album (which was tracked with just vocals, guitar, piano, and harmonica) with seven brand new jams added. Got that? Great.
The new tunes were recorded at Echo Park’s Five Star Studios this past fall. “Jim was really the captain of the ship and the spiritual leader of the project. We leaned heavy on his fifty-plus years of musical insight to get us to where we needed to be,” says Oberst of the sessions. “He brought such depth and dignity to the proceedings that made everyone else involved rise to the occasion. It was a true stroke of luck that he got involved when he did.”
Pre-order the end-results of all this spirituality and dignity now on iTunes or via the Nonesuch store. All pre-orders come with immediate downloads of the reworked tracks “A Little Uncanny” and “Tachycardia,” as well as a new song called “Napalm.” (Hint: the Nonesuch pre-orders also include “an exclusive print autographed by Conor Oberst.”)
Whew. I’m spent. So much info… I must be getting older myself! But shit, there’s still one more thing: along with The Felice Brothers as his backing band, Oberst will also be touring in support of the album this spring and summer. AND he’s partnered up with the good folks at Plus 1 to donate $1 from every ticket sold to Planned Parenthood (the March dates go on sale starting January 21, but the May and July dates don’t go on sale until January 27). Check out the full schedule down below, riiiiight after the clip for the new version of “A Little Uncanny” (directed by The Felice Brothers’ Josh Rawson) and the full album tracklist.
Salutations Tracklist:
01. Too Late to Fixate
02. Gossamer Thin
03. Overdue
04. Afterthought
05. Next of Kin
06. Napalm
07. Mamah Borthwick (A Sketch)
08. Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out
09. Barbary Coast (Later)
10. Tachycardia
11. Empty Hotel by the Sea
12. Anytime Soon
13. Counting Sheep
14. Rain Follows the Plow
15. You All Loved Him Once
16. A Little Uncanny
17. Salutations
Conor Oberst tour dates:
02.27.17 - Sydney, AU - Sydney Opera House
03.09.17 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room Lounge
03.10.17 - Kansas City, MO - Madrid Theater
03.11.17 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
03.12.17 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom
03.14.17 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
03.16.17 - Spicewood, TX - Luck Reunion
03.17.17 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
03.18.17 - New Orleans, LA - The Civic Theatre
03.19.17 - Macon, GA - Cox Capitol Theatre
03.21.17 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
03.22.17 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29
03.23.17 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
03.24.17 - McMinnville, TN - Bluegrass Underground
03.25.17 - St Louis, MO - The Pageant
03.26.17 - Iowa City, IA - The Englert Theater
05.12.17 - Oakland, CA - The Fox
05.13.17 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek Theater
05.19.17 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at The Moody Theater
07.14-16.17 - Louisville, KY - Forecastle Festival
07.20.17 - Brooklyn, NY - Celebrate Brooklyn
07.21.17 - Boston, MA - The House of Blues