Blackberry Smoke announce new EP 'Live From Capricorn Sound Studios' as a tribute to recording studio's legacy
Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke is set to release their new EP on June 19 titled 'Live From Capricorn Sound Studios'.
The six-track EP is made-up entirely of covers as a homage to the historic Macon, Georgia, recording facility, which became an epicenter of the Southern rock genre in the early '70s. The new EP marks the first project cut at Capricorn Sound Studios by a major recording act in over 40 years, according to Rolling Stone.
The new EP, recorded earlier this year at the legendary studios, consists of the band's renditions of songs that tie to Capricorn's studio and record label.
Artistes such as The Allman Brothers Band, the Marshal Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Percy Sledge, Stillwater and many more have all left their mark at the studio where country music and rock 'n' roll became faithful companions over the years.
Produced by members of Blackberry Smoke, the new live-recorded EP will be followed by the band's 'Spirit of the South Tour: A Celebration of Southern Rock and Roll Music'. Dates for the tour are currently set for summer.
The first track off 'Live From Capricorn Sound Studios' is a cover of The Allman Brothers Band's iconic 'Midnight Rider', which they played as a longtime staple for concerts.
Blackberry Smoke's rendition of 'Midnight Rider' comes in celebratory timing of a pair of anniversaries including the formation of the Allman Brothers Band 51 years ago today on March 26, 1969, as well as the release of the staple track on the same day in 1971.
Singer-songwriter Gregg Allman infamously broke into the Capricorn Sound Studios when he recorded the original demo of 'Midnight Rider'.
According to Relix, Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr said, “We chose a handful of songs that are Macon, Ga. songs," adding, “A couple of Allman Brothers songs, a couple of Wet Willie songs, a Marshall Tucker Band song that was recorded in that room at Capricorn and a Little Richard song that is not a Capricorn song, but since Little Richard is probably one of Macon, Ga.'s greatest gifts to the world, we recorded that."
The upcoming Blackberry Smoke EP 'Live From Capricorn Sound Studios' will be available for pre-order on CD and vinyl starting Friday, March 27. A portion of the proceeds from the EP's sales will be donated to the Recording Academy's MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
