Following the success of their 2009 debut release, a critically acclaimed alt-country/bluegrass interpretation of the classic U2 album The Joshua Tree, Earl Pickens & Family have returned with their sophomore disc, GATHERING. The new album features ten brand new songs by EP & Fam songwriters Earl Pickens, Bruce W. Derr and Jessie Yamas. Available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDbaby.com.
Folks be digging on Gathering
“With ‘Gathering,’ Earl Pickens and his Family are clearly still riding the wave of traditional Americana revivalism down from the mountain, and what’s also clear is that they have the chops to keep themselves afloat.” — Americana UK
”... delivered with such beauty and warmness that you end up smiling even when the lyrical content is trying to crush you and I kind of love the contrast. A beautiful folk record.” — Onechord.net
“Ook al gaan de teksten over liefdesverdriet, het enthousiasme van de band heeft zijn weerslag op de luisteraar.” — this is from a Dutch music blog. They gave us 4 out of 5 stars, so I assume this quote is favorable.
Songs from GATHERING and The Joshua Tree are currently streaming on our myspace page, so check ‘em OUT!
The Joshua Tree by Earl Pickens & Family is currently available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDbaby.com.
Here’s what some folks have been saying about our Joshua Tree:
“It’s a brave man who dares to do an acoustic take on U2’s “The Joshua Tree,” but Earl Pickens has the vision and the chops to pull it off. And more than being just a novelty, Earl’s album brings to light the Americana gospel roots lurking below the surface in U2’s music.”
— John Platt, WFUV, New York City
“Stripped of The Edge’s in-your-face guitar effects and Bono’s dramatic wail, Pickens’s version allows U2’s rootsy influences to surface and blossom.”
— Helen Leicht, WXPN Philadelphia
“So brazen that I was sure it was going to be a car wreck, but the YouTube video convinced me otherwise. An acoustic, countrified rendition of the classic U2 album The Joshua Tree, in its entirety? Yeah, I know that’s what I thought.”
— Twang Nation
“It should come as no surprise that the full-length countrified version of U2’s The Joshua Tree is such a winner. Pickens makes sure that the timeless songs from U2’s best album sound right at home as twangy country shuffles & folk-rock ballads. I can’t imagine fans of country music finding a better album to sing along with this year.” – Pop Headwound
Check out our videos for With Or Without You...
and Where the Streets Have No Name...
Watch more Earl Pickens videos at youtube.com/earlyeehawpickens. Tell ‘em Earl sent you.