Happy Birthday Jim James: Paying Tribute Spotify Covers Playlist

Jim James (James Edward Olliges, Jr.) was born in Louisville on this date 41 years ago. The My Morning Jacket frontman and accomplished solo performer harnesses one of the most distinctive and captivating voices currently making rock music.

MMJ only has three tour dates scheduled in 2019, but James has a full slate of solo shows planned throughout the year. Last year, James released his solo album Uniform Distortion and companion LP Uniform Clarity. Those two records followed his 2017 set of covers, Tribute To 2.

That set of covers, a sequel to his “Yim Yames” credited 2009 Tribute To EP of George Harrison covers, is among the tracks included in the Jim James Spotify Playlist presented below. The 25-song collection features “My Sweet Lord” and “All Things Must Pass” from the first EP and three selections from its follow-up, The Beach Boys’ “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times,” Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away” and Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies.”

Also featured are solo arrangements of Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low” and James backed by Calexico on Bob Dylan’s “Goin’ To Acapulco.” James’ contribution to the Grateful Dead tribute album Day Of The Dead, “Candyman,” is one of several tribute related recordings in the playlist.

There are solo covers of songs by Brandi Carlile, Townes Van Zandt and Jason Molina. And James can be heard with MMJ honoring Dylan, The Band, John Prine, Buddy Holly, John Denver and Donovan. There are also MMJ covers of classics by Pink Floyd, The Who, Woody Guthrie, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley. Stream the covers collection below:

[Updated article originally published April 27, 2018]