Iron & Wine will release Around the Well, “a 2-CD/3-LP collection of rare tracks ranging from out-of-print to never-before-released” via Sub Pop on May 19th, 2009. Around the Well is the official release of the many outtakes that have rattled around the internet over the years in one all-encompassing collection. “The double-disc collection is broken up into two sections. The first half is an assortment of hushed home recordings, unedited and raw, and the second highlights moments captured in the confines of proper studios with the help of other musicians, friends and engineers.”

Chicago fans listen up, the band will play two very special shows in the city, including a very intimate performance at Schubas! For both shows the band is allowing fans to determine the set lists via their website and will be making each show available for download here. Good stuff!

5/12 – Iron & Wine – Lakeshore Theatre
5/13 – Iron & Wine – Schuba’s

Iron and Wine, Around the Well Track Listing –> (more…)

We kicked off our Saturday by seeing the Fleet Foxes for the third time this year. They were absolutely incredible, one of my favorites sets of the day as the band continues to top themselves each time I see them. On top of that, their onstage banter/comedy was unexpected, but very funny.

The Drive-By Truckers put on a tight demonstration of Southern Rock the way it should be. The highlight was the extended story intro of “18 Wheels of Love,” which if you haven’t seen live, hope you do the next time you catch DBT. I caught Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears on the recommendation of many and was glad I did. They guy makes no secret his desire to be the next James Brown, and if this young Texan keeps at it, he’s got the pipes and musical talent to make him famous. Britt Daniel was in the crowd for this set, which is fitting enough, consider Britt worked on Black Joe’s record.

Erykah Badu started her set in typical diva fashion – late. Despite her tardiness, I was absolutely enamored with her set. It was my first time seeing her and it was great watching her huge band and huge beats, all powered by her huge hair! Going from one extreme to the other, I next checked out John Fogerty, whose set was a nod to the greatness he created with Credence Clearwater Revival. Honestly, people all around lost their heads as Fogerty rolled out one CCR tune after another. It was just about as close as I’ll ever get to seeing and hearing a band that was on heavy rotation during my youth.

Going into this festival, the headliners did very little for me. I wasn’t really interested or excited about seeing any of them. On Friday, I stuck around and was rewarded with a great closing set from Manu Chao. Last night offered the dilemma of choosing between Robert Plant & Allison Kraus or seeing Beck. All day I was set on seeing the former as I’d never seen them before and have seen Beck plenty of times. That changed around 6pm when the excitement around the festival convinced me that seeing Beck was the right thing to do. I’m glad I did. Starting his set out with “Loser” was an absolute shock (didn’t think he played that anymore) and a catapult into a set that was filled with generous samples from his catalog including Modern Guilt material for the first time, which sounded great. It ended up being my favorite set of the day. Make sure you check him out on this tour.

Fleet Foxes

José González

Drive-By Truckers

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Erykah Badu

John Fogerty

Iron & Wine

Beck

Who can resist the warm and welcoming sound of Calexico? Take a record of theirs, add cold drinks and good friends, and you’ve got yourself the essentials in a great gathering. The Tucson, AZ based group will release Carried To Dust on September 9th via Touch & Go Records. “The band lineup that solidified around “Feast of Wire” is back again, along with a number of guests, including Sam Beam, Douglas McCombs, and Pieta Brown.” Yeah, we’re excited.

Chicago fans/readers can catch Calexico for free on Thursday, September 25th as part of the Chicago World Music Festival. If that wasn’t special enough, the band will be joined by Mariachi Luz de Luna and Salvador Duran, the latter whose pipes you’ll remember for his contributions to the Iron & Wine/Calexico collaboration of In the Reins.

Myspace: Calexico