• News

• All

Feb 26, 2019 By Christopher Roberts Morrissey

Morrissey previously announced his intention to release California Son, a covers album. Now he has shared its first single, a cover of Roy Orbison’s “It’s Over” that features LP (aka Laura Pergolizzi), and has confirmed the album’s other details, such as its tracklist and other featured artists. California Son is due out May 24 via BMG. The album also features Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste, Broken Social Scene’s Ariel Engle, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, The Regrettes’ Lydia Night, Petra Haden, and Young The Giant’s Sameer Gadhia. Check out “It’s Over” below, followed by the album’s tracklist.

In a press release Roy Orbison, Jr. had this to say about the cover of his dad’s 1964-released song: “We love Morrissey! Morrissey’s hair, and melancholy and poetic lyrics always reminded me of my dad. His version of ‘It’s Over’ is great.”

LP had this to say: “When I would think of Morrissey and his music it was always with great respect and appreciation as I’m sure is the case with many of his fans. However, I soon realized when I hung out with him and he played me all the songs he was putting on this record that behind this was the heart of an audiophile and a deep fan of his own musical heroes. He is well versed in so many genres and knows deep cuts of artists I thought I knew so much about. It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm and intellect he brings to people through his own musical journey.”

Morrissey’s last album was 2017’s Low in High School. The album’s deluxe edition, which was released last December, included four previously unreleased tracks and five covers of songs by his favorite artists, including his cover of The Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang.”

Also read our review of Low in High School.

California Son Tracklist:

1. Morning Starship (Jobriath) with Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear
2. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (Joni Mitchell) with Ariel Engle of Broken Social Scene
3. Only a Pawn In Their Game (Bob Dylan) with Petra Haden
4. Suffer the Little Children (Buffy St Marie)
5. Days of Decision (Phil Ochs) with Sameer Gadhia of Young The Giant
6. It’s Over (Roy Orbison) with LP
7. Wedding Bell Blues (The Fifth Dimension) with Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day & Lydia Night of The Regrettes
8. Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets (Dionne Warwick)
9. Lady Willpower (Gary Puckett)
10. When You Close Your Eyes (Carly Simon) with Petra Haden
11. Lenny’s Tune (Tim Hardin)
12. Some Say I Got Devil (Melanie)

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.