Elvis Costello welcomes bluegrass

Elvis Costello: Secret, Profane & SugarcaneElvis Costello last recorded an acoustic album in 1986. On June 2, 2009 he is set to release another, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane. The album was produced by T Bone Burnett, recorded in Nashville in three days, and features a number of bluegrass musicians.

This if from Costello’s website, announcing the new record.

Joining Costello were Jerry Douglas (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Jeff Taylor (accordion) and Dennis Crouch (double bass), some of the most highly regarded recording artists and musicians in traditional American country music, Bluegrass and beyond.

Jim Lauderdale takes the close vocal harmony part throughout the record and Emmylou Harris contributed a third vocal part on the chorus of “The Crooked Line” on the final day of recording.

Obviously, it’s not a bluegrass record, but it will include the sounds of bluegrass and may introduce some new fans to the sounds and lead them down a path of discovery.

I’m continually thankful for musicians like those mentioned here, who so excel at their craft that their art is desired even by those who inhabit other musical genres.

I’m looking forward to hearing this recording.