Preservation, an Album Benefiting Preservation Hall and its Music Outreach Program

Take a bunch of artists from all different schools of music — country, blues, indie rock, gospel, folk and that strange place in music that can only be occupied by Tom Waits — and set them to covering some classic New Orleans songs, backed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and what do you have?  A phenomonal sounding record with all proceeds going to benefit Preservation Hall and its music outreach program. 

Preservation Hall has been operating since 1961 in New Orleans’ French Quarter, showcasing traditional  New Orleans jazz.  The building has no running water or electricity, no food or drinks are served, and seating is minimal at best.  But none of that matters, as Preservation Hall has one focus only: the music.  Each of the artists involved in the project traveled to Preservation Hall itself to record new takes on old classsics. 

The album comes out on Tuesday, February 16 as a standard CD, deluxe edition double CD, and a double LP.   While you’re waiting to pick up your copy, you can stream the album online at Stache Media or using the tiny little controls at the top of the album’s website.

All Tracks featuring the PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND:

1. Andrew Bird – “Shake It and Break It”
2. Paolo Nutini – “Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea”
3. Tom Waits – “Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing”
4. Yim Yames – “Louisiana Fairytale”
5. Del McCoury – “After You’ve Gone”
6. Ani DiFranco – “Freight Train”
7. Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger – “Blue Skies (Comin My Way)”
8. Jason Isbell – “Nobody Knows You”
9. Brandi Carlile – “Old Rugged Cross”
10. Richie Havens – “Trouble in Mind”
11. Merle Haggard – “Basin Street Blues”
12. Blind Boys of Alabama – “There is a Light”
13. Dr. John – “Winin’ Boy”
14. Louis Armstrong – “Rockin’ Chair”
15. Amy LaVere – “Baby Won’t You Please Come Home”
16. Steve Earle – “Tain’t Nobody’s Business”
17. Cory Chisel – “Some Cold Rainy Day”
18. Buddy Miller – “I Ain’t Got Nobody”
19. Angelique Kidjo with Terence Blanchard – “La Vie En Rose”

Bonus Tracks (Deluxe CD):

1. Anita Briem – “C’est Si Bon”
2. Paolo Nutini – “Pencil Full of Lead”
3. Yim Yames – “St. James Infirmary”
4. Tom Waits – “Corine Dies On The Battlefield”
5. Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger – “Sailin’ Up Sailin’ Down”
6. Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger – “We Shall Overcome”