Yim Yames Does George Harrison


2008 was a stellar year for My Morning Jacket. Stoked by the release of its fifth album, the critically acclaimed Evil Urges, the band reveled in a first-time appearance at Radio City Music Hall in June, and by New Years Eve, graduated to a celebration at the massive Madison Square Garden.

While the band is kicking back, on a bit of hiatus, news continues to pour from frontman Jim James, or, as he is now known while performing solo, Yim Yames. He has recorded with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, announced an album with friends Conor Oberst, M. Ward and Mike Mogis entitled Monsters of Folk, and on July 7, he will release Tribute To, an EP tribute to George Harrison.

Recorded in 2001, Tribute To features six tracks, including "Long, Long, Long," "Behind the Locked Door," "Love You To," "My Sweet Lord," "Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)," and "All Things Must Pass."

Yim writes:

Hello friends. Just like most everyone else under this crazy dome, I have been a fan of the Beatles since early childhood... But it wasn't 'till sometime in '99 that an old pal turned me on to "All Things Must Pass" and I quickly became even more enamored with the quiet beauty and majesty of all things George Harrison. He always seemed to be a beacon of good light unto the world, accomplishing the rare task of using his massive fortune and fame to promote peace - both within and around the World. I will always look up to and see him as a prime example of the healing power of music and how, in tune with it, all is possible.

The following are a selection of George's songs I recorded back in 2001, a few days after he passed that were moving me so very much at the time... I recorded them live at above the Cadillac in Shelbyville, KY... On my cousin John's "ol faithful" Fostex 8 track reel2reel, then overdubbed a banjitar or b. vox here or there. I find comfort knowing that all things must pass, but that as all things do pass their spirits are still out there moving us somewhere... doing what they do, just as real as they ever were in this physical world... I hear them singing and I feel them in my blood.

Thanks George for helping me to understand things just a lil bit better...

- yim yames (jim james from my morning jacket)

The proceeds from the sale of Tribute To will go to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Learn:
Yim Yames online

Listen:
Yim Yames - Behind that Locked Door