Tag: Happy Prisoner

New Robert Earl Keen Track: “Wayfaring Stranger”

Robert Earl Keen Happy Prisoner

Robert Earl Keen‘s upcoming album Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions (2015) heads into bluegrass territory on tracks like the classic nineteenth century ballad “Wayfaring Stranger.” As Rolling Stone reports, Keen grew up listening to bluegrass music and that music has continued as a “hidden influence” throughout his career. So, it is exciting to see him bringing this music to the forefront with the new album.

The song “Wayfaring Stranger” has been recorded by many artists including Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, and Burl Ives, who used the song’s name for the title of his autobiography. On Keen’s new version of “Wayfaring Stranger,” Natalie Maines provides harmonies. Check it out.

“Wayfaring Stranger” is not Natalie Maines’s only connection to Keen’s Happy Prisoner album. Her father Lloyd Maines produced the album. Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions will be released on February 10, 2015.

What is your favorite version of “Wayfaring Stranger”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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