Legendary comedian/actor Steve Martin and folk/rock singer Edie Brickell will release a collaborative album, Love Has Come For You, on April 23rd via Rounder Records.
Martin’s prowess on the banjo dates far back into his career – it often showed up during his standup routines in the 1970s-1980s, and he’s been involved with the bluegrass act Steep Canyon Rangers between 2009 and 2011.
Love Has Come For You will link up Martin with Brickell, resulting in an album of 13 original recordings pairing his banjo-plucking with her distinctive vocals.
From Rounder Records’ site:
The banjo can be so evocative when it’s used sparingly, and that was in the back of my mind as we were writing,” says Martin. “It’s the way I’ve longed to play and hear the banjo, rather than it being present at every moment. In these songs, the point is to tell the story and get out.”
Brickell:
This is the kind of music that I’ve always wanted to make, but I never knew how until now.
The album was produced by the great Peter Asher (check out our interview with Asher here), and also incorporates guest appearances from the Steep Canyon Rangers, bassist Esperanza Spalding, Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek and studio guitarist Waddy Wachtel.
Song titles include When You Get to Asheville, Sarah Jane and the title track.
Love Has Come For You looks to be a pretty special album, considering the figures involved. Martin and Brickell will also embark on a tour in support of the album.
Says Martin of the project:
I think that the goal of any collaboration should be to come up with something that each individual wouldn’t have come up with on their own, and I think that we’ve done that here.
UPDATE: Tour dates have been announced – hit Martin’s website for details. There’s also this blurb:
The North American tour, which kicks off on May 22 in Ft. Meyers, FL, will showcase new material performed by Martin and Brickell, along with the unique hybrid of bluegrass and comedy that Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers have been delighting audiences with at their sold-out, critically acclaimed shows.
In the meantime, here’s a short video of Brickell performing Love Has Come For You alongside Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers:
Related links:
Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir (Interview)
