Ooh, looky-here... Steve Earle’s new CD came out on Tuesday. And it includes his cover of Tom Waits’s “Way Down in the Hole.”Yep, this version will be the main-title music for the fifth (and final) season of HBO’s “The Wire,” premiering in January.
It’s a hot track, y’all. The entire album, “Washington Square Serenade,” was produced by John King, one half of the Dust Brothers (who produced “Paul’s Boutique” and “Odelay”).
To hear “Way Down in the Hole” on my Vox audio stash, click here.
You can purchase this track from iTunes or (as I did for the first time) from Amazon.com.
FYI, there’s a FREE MP3 of another song off the album – “City of Immigrants” – available through Minnesota Public Radio. But you’ll have to move quickly to snag that one; MPR’s free tracks are only up for a few days.
Not bad. Thanks for pointing it out UBM. I would say the 4th season cover was still the best, closely followed by the Tom Waits' original.
ReplyDeleteI caught the season 5 teaser a few days ago. Can't wait!
Great choice! Steve Earle is one of my favorites...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to January.
We like Steve Earle. Didn't he play Waylon in S1? He also provided a song for the final episode of S2, I think.
ReplyDelete^ Yep, Anna, I think Waylon has popped up in each season... though I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteWaylon's only appeared in season 1 and the season 4 finale. From what I've heard, he supposed to have a pretty big role in season 5 though.
ReplyDeleteNot to knock Mr. Earle, but i am not feelin' this version. Last season's was the best. With seasons 2 and 1 following. This season may very well be the least likable.
ReplyDeleteNot feeling this one yet, but it may grow on me as the season progresses. My favorite version remains S1.
ReplyDeleteC'mon, January!
You know I've always dug David Simon's work and far as I'm concerned, The Wire is the shit. Hands down one of the best shows ever on t.v. But when Steve Earle ambled onto the screen in the first season, my estimation of David went up another notch.
ReplyDeleteThe guy is the real deal. I once interviewed him back in my J days. Very cool guy, very cool vibe. Been some dark places in his life. It's our fortune that he's lived to tell about them.
(Not sure who named Waylon but it would be cool if they got the name from the late great Waylon Jennings. You wouldn't know, would ya, David?
Anyway, you might not be a fan of that Waylon (might be a bit country for you) but check out my blog this week as I'll be posting a couple of very cool Waylon tunes there.)
Furious and dez: A lot of people don't seem to be feeling this one yet, from what I read on the internets. Must be the electronic sound bed, because there's not much to knock in Earle's singing, I think. (Well, some call it "flat.")
ReplyDeleteS.O.L.: Among the many gaps in my cultural education, you're right, I haven't put my ear to Waylon Jennings. I'll definitely be checking out yer audio uploads.
That might be it, UBM. I like Steve Earle, but to be honest, I haven't liked any of the versions as much as I like the S1 version.
ReplyDelete