Family Reunites on Jim Kweskin’s “You’re Just In Love,” New Single Featuring His Granddaughter Fiona Kweskin
Fresh Take on Irving Berlin Classic Marks Final Preview of Duets Album Never Too Late, Out January 26th via StorySound Records
Jim Kweskin is Set to Play Renowned Cafe Wha? on January 24th Followed by The Jim Kweskin Extravaganza on February 4th
Today, American music legend Jim Kweskin releases “You’re Just In Love” featuring granddaughter Fiona Kweskin. The track serves as the final preview of his upcoming duets album Never Too Late, slated for release on January 26th via StorySound Records. Celebrating the timeless magic of love, the track puts a folk spin on a classic Broadway melody.
Watch the duo navigate and create new memory lanes in Nashville in the touching video HERE, shot less than a month ago when Jim visited Fiona at her home in Nashville.
When discussing why he chose to record the track, Kweskin explains:
“‘You're Just in Love’ was written by Irving Berlin, who wrote it for the 1950 Broadway musical Call Me Madam. It's been recorded many times but never like this—we do it almost as a folk song. I love the counterpoint, the two different words, and the melodies going on at the same time. Irving Berlin, of course, is a famous American popular music composer. He's written songs that everybody knows, like ‘God Bless America’ and ‘White Christmas’ but in fact, he wrote hundreds of hit songs for Broadway musicals, movies, and pop records. He's one of my favorite composers. And for me, what could be better than a grandfather singing to his granddaughter about what it feels like to be in love?”
Listen to “You’re Just In Love” HERE
“You’re Just In Love” follows “I Ain’t Never Been Satisfied,” featuring Rose Guerin and Samoa Wilson, a track characterized by seamless harmonies and vibrant harmonica solos. Lead single “Let's Get Happy Together” features Maria Muldaur, who has collaborated with Kweskin since the 1960s as part of his influential Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band.
In addition to these features, Never Too Late boasts collaborations with some of Kweskin’s favorite female singers, including Juli Crockett and Meredith Axelrod, spotlighting the genre- and generation-hopping nature of his musical interests. Across its 18 tracks, Never Too Late presents a Great American Songbook where Leadbelly’s “Relax Your Mind” precedes the Tin Pan Alley tune “Sheik of Araby,” seamlessly leading into the 1940s country hit “Remember Me.”
Jim Kweskin recorded Never Too Late in early 2023 at Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain, MA, near his Boston home base. According to Kweskin, “almost every song on Never Too Late was either the first or second take because everyone was so good and prepared.” Joining Kweskin on this album are fiddler Suzy Thompson, dobro & steel guitar player Cindy Cashdollar, harmonicist Annie Raines, and his regular bassist/producer Matthew Berlin.
Jim Kweskin's music career took off in 1963 when Maynard Solomon, Vanguard Records co-founder, saw him play at Club 47 in Cambridge, MA. Suitably impressed, Solomon offered to record Kweskin, leading him to assemble the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, featuring key members Geoff Muldaur and Fritz Richmond. This unconventional group gained fame with their spontaneous and unscripted performances, in contrast to the formal folk groups of the early 60s. Despite only lasting five years and releasing four studio albums, they left an enduring impact on the music scene. Esteemed critic Ed Ward ranked them among the most important bands of the early 60s, and their influence can be seen in the likes of the Lovin' Spoonful, the Grateful Dead, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks.
In anticipation of his upcoming album release, Kweskin will take the stage at iconic New York City folk institution Cafe Wha? on January 24th. The evening promises a special performance alongside album collaborator Samoa Wilson. Find more details here.
Kweskin will also celebrate the release of Never Too Late at The Jim Kweskin Extravaganza, taking place at The Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA on February 4, 2024. The event will feature appearances by Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Samoa Wilson, and Fiona Kweskin. Find more details here.
Never Too Late Tracklist
- Let’s Get Happy Together - with Maria Muldaur
- You’re Just In Love - with Fiona Kweskin
- Honey In The Rock - with Samoa Wilson
- Mother Earth - with Rose Guerin & Group
- Leaving Home (Frankie and Johnny) - with Meredith Axelrod
- Side By Side - with Fiona Kweskin
- Sally Don’t You Grieve - with Meredith Axelrod
- Never Too Late - with Juli Crockett
- Engine 143 - with Samoa Wilson
- The Lone Pilgrim - with Nell Foote & Group Choir
- Moby Dick - with Juli Crockett
- Relax Your Mind - with Rose Guerin
- The Sheik Of Araby - with Maria Muldaur
- Remember Me - with Samoa Wilson
- What Does The Deep Sea Say - with Fiona Kweskin
- Live And Let Live - with Juli Crockett
- I Ain’t Never Been Satisfied - with Rose, Samoa, & Fiona
- The Cuckoo - with Jessie Benton
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