Blind Date Party

Description

The Blind Date Party, organized by Bill Callahan and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, featuring AZITA, Matt Sweeney, Alasdair Roberts, Matt Kinsey, Sean O’Hagan, Bill MacKay, George Xylouris, Dead Rider, David Pajo, Mick Turner, Meg Baird, Ty Segall, Emmett Kelly, Cory Hanson, Six Organs of Admittance, David Grubbs, Cassie Berman, Cooper Crain, and Sir Richard Bishop, took place online during the fall and winter of 2020/2021 – but the planning for this party began in the spring of 2020. Stuck at home, with no concerts scheduled in the near future, Bill, Bonnie, and Drag City needed a plan of action to keep themselves occupied, not to mention stay sane. In the absence of company or anything on the agenda, playing songs they loved became an idea; then playing with people they loved, the desire. And to make it fun – creating random duets, the very essence of a blind date, became the plan. They chose their favorite tracks, each song covered here was written and sung by someone they love and admire: Yusuf Islam, Hank Williams Jr., Dave Rich, The Other Years, Billie Eilish, Steely Dan, Lou Reed, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Wyatt, Lowell George, Johnnie Frierson, Demis Roussos, Leonard Cohen, David Berman, Iggy Pop, and John Prine. They reached out to musicians from the Drag City galaxy, and soon, songs began to bounce back and forth in the air! They entertained themselves this way throughout the summer of 2020, while so many things in the world were going wrong. Like the best parties, it was even better than they had hoped. Making albums has always required a strong sense of community and a surprising mix of independence and unity, inspiration and practicality. Blind Date Party is an album that celebrates the moments spent together, reminding us that they are not always guaranteed and is dedicated to those who have passed but will continue to live on in us. Join the party and make it last forever!