Robert Earl Keen Set to Release 'Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions'

REK is releasing a new record, a bluegrass album, on February 10th, but you can pre-order your copy now. Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions, will be available on cd and limited edition 2XLP 180gram gold vinyl that comes with five extra songs not found on the cd. All pre-orders include a download of the first single "Hot Corn, Cold Corn." 

Why a Bluegrass record? “I've had a lifelong love of bluegrass,” says Keen. “I've always had an affinity for music that I felt like you'd listen to in your living room. Music that felt real. My mom liked the old hillbilly music, and as a kid, I used to fall asleep listening to an 8-track tape of Jimmie Rodgers' greatest hits. When I was in 9th grade, one of my first dates was taking a girl to a bluegrass festival. That sounds crazy for someone in Texas. But I was fascinated with that music, even though it wasn't part of the gulf coast at all. When I started playing, my first guitar hero was Norman Blake. In college, I had a bluegrass band called the Front Porch Boys, went to fiddle contests, learned a jillion fiddle and old-timey songs. My whole education in music started with bluegrass.

“And that's partly where the album title comes from,” he continues. “I've been listening to it forever, I love it, and so I feel like I'm something of a happy prisoner of bluegrass."

Vinyl Track List:

Side A:

1. Hot Corn, Cold Corn
2. 52 Vincent Black Lightning
3. Footprints in the Snow
4. 99 Years For One Dark Day (feat. Peter Rowan)
5. East Virginia Blues

Side B:

1. Poor Ellen Smith
2. Long Black Veil
3. This World Is Not My Home
4. T For Texas (feat. Lyle Lovett)

Side C:

1. Peter Rowan Intro
2. Walls Of Time
3. White Dove
4. Old Home Place
5. Twisted Laurel
6. Wayfaring Stranger (feat. Natalie Maines)

Happy Prisoner on vinyl includes 5 extra songs not available on the CD!

Side D:

1.  Little Log Cabin Home On The Hill
2.  Dark As A Dungeon
3.  I'm Troubled, I'm Troubled
4.  14 Carat Mind
5.  Steam Powered Aeroplane

For more information and to pre-order visit here

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