So this week we finally found out the title of the new Wilco album — "Wilco (the album)," how's that for inspiring? — and its release date (June 30). And to help promote the thing, the Chicago-based roots band has gone back to another set of roots, recording another Woody Guthrie lyric a la the band's successful Mermaid Avenue albums of Woody covers with British folk-rocker Billy Bragg. "Jolly Banker" is a Depression-era gem that applies rather neatly to the country's new economic woes and throes. Woody sang:
When your car you are losing and sadly you're cruising I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I I'll come and foreclose, take your car and your clothes I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I
The song's available for download at Wilco World, for free or ideally a suggested donation of $2 — 100 percent of which will support the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives. (Which even contains this blogger's research notes!) Listen to the band discuss the new recording here.
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