Texas songwriter and singer, Robert Earl Keen, has decided to go grass for his next album, Happy Prisoner – The Bluegrass Sessions. Though Keen has largely hewed close to the folk/Americana realm, this album marks a departure both in that it features all bluegrass songs, and that it is all covers as opposed to his own critically-acclaimed compositions.
Happy Prisoner was produced by Lloyd Maines, who enticed his daughter Natalie of Dixie Chicks fame to sing harmony on one cut. Other guest vocalists include Peter Rowan and Keen’s fellow Texan and former college buddy, Lyle Lovett.
Robert created a pair of videos to explain his vision for this project.
Look for Happy Prisoner on Dualtone Records releasing February 10. Pre-orders are available now online.
