Listen: Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames – Old LA

Here’s something rather special. Remember a few years back (well, 14 to be precise), Billy Bragg and Wilco joined forces to delve deep into the Woody Guthrie archive to create music for some of the hugely influential folk icon’s back catalogue. What resulted was Mermaid Avenue (volumes 1 and 2), one of the true great collaborative efforts of recent memory. So it goes, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco’s old sparring partner Jay Farrar (formerly of Uncle Tupelo, currently frontman of Son Volt) has teamed up with My Morning Jacket’s Yim Yames, Will Johnson (Centro-matic) and Anders Parker (Gob Iron) to record a collection of Guthrie songs as part of the great man’s 100th birthday celebrations.

The first track to be lifted from New Multitudes – the full-length due to drop on February 27 – is ‘Old LA’. Fuelled by Farrar’s signature ringing telecaster tone, this is a beautiful slice of Americana – executed with utter ease by some of the great leaders in their field.

Farrar, Johnson and Parker will be in the UK at the end of January to take part in an exclusive one off show at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. With support from Woody’s grandaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie.