The Levi’s Pioneer Sessions have been pretty top-notch of late. We were fans of Ryan Bingham before his song and appearance in Crazy Heart made him a household name. If you don’t have his album, Mescalito in your collection, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Bingham rolled out a haunting take on “That’s How Strong My Love Is” for Levi’s Pioneer Sessions. The song, made famous by Otis Redding, has been included on many mix cd’s I’ve made over the years, and, heard Bingham’s take, I’m sure his will be included on future compilations I create for friends.

Download: Ryan Bingham – “That’s How Strong My Love Is”

Ryan Bingham will release his next album, Junky Star (September 7, 2010) on Lost Highway Records. You can stream new material from the forthcoming release here.

“Ryan Bingham at the legendary Topanga Roadhouse on Saturday January 31st, 2009. In this tiny venue was once the place where the Doors performed as well as Neil Young. There’s no place like it.”

I missed my one and only chance of seeing Ryan Bingham live last year at Austin City Limits. If you’ve never heard his album Mescalito, follow through with the impulse buy link below. It’s a damn fine listen, and “Hard Times” is one great number. He currently has no dates outside of the south, hopefully that changes as the weather warms, otherwise my friends and I are gonna grab a handful of wheel and go to him.

Buy: Ryan Bingham – Mescalito
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Myspace: Ryan Bingham