Within days after the George Harrison died in 2001, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James felt an odd compulsion to record cover versions of several of the former Beatle’s songs. Described in a press release as having “a serene quality that mourn the loss of a legendary spirit,” the tracks will at last be released as an EP, titled Tribute To, on Aug. 4, under the pseudonym Yim Yames.
In an interview this week with Billbaord.com, James offered details regarding the circumstances in which the songs were recorded.
“I felt like I was in the weirdest head space when I did that EP," he told Billboard. "I felt really confused a lot of the time. I wanted to just do it and let it come out even if I messed stuff up. It's definitely not the tightest or most professional recording you're ever going to hear in your life, but I like that."
James went on to say that only recently did he sense the time was right for the recordings to see the light of day. His participation in film director David Lynch’s “Change Begins Within” concert sparked a desire to make the tracks available to the public.
“Being at that benefit, George's name came up a lot,” he told Billboard. “Talking with people who had known him, his spirit was very big at that event."
Fans will be able to preview the EP beginning July 7, when pre-orders for CD and vinyl versions of the EP get underway via YimYames.com. One track, “Behind That Locked Door,” is already available as a free download at the website. Portions of the proceeds from sales of the EP will go to the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Here’s the track listing for Tribute To:
1. “Long Long Long”
2. “Behind That Locked Door”
3. “Love You To”
4. “My Sweet Lord”
5. “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)”
6. “All Things Must Pass”