John Oates, one-half of the iconic pop-rock duo Hall & Oates, is premiering his cover of Jimmie Rodgers’ classic “Miss the Mississippi and You” exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play below to hear the song.
“Miss the Mississippi and You” is a folksy tune that sounds decidedly different than what most Hall & Oates fans are used to, but Oates’ iconic voice is unmistakable on the track. Oates says he first performed “Miss the Mississippi and You” at Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Festival in 2010, the year that the festival paid tribute to Rodgers.
“I immediately fell in love with the song. The chord changes and mood were beautiful. Since that time, I have included it in my live solo shows …,” he tells The Boot. “The song is so evocative of the era of the late 1920s and early 1930s, it seems to take me back in time when I sing and play it. ‘Longing for my homeland muddy water shore’ is one of my favorite lines and pretty much says it all.”
Oates’ version of “Miss the Mississippi and You” appears on his forthcoming album Arkansas, set for release on the Thirty Tigers label early next month. Arkansas is the sixth solo release for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; the project was recorded in Nashville, where Oates resides, with some of Music City’s finest session musicians, including Sam Bush.
Arkansas is scheduled to arrive on Feb. 2. Visit JohnOates.com to learn more about his solo work.
Listen to John Oates’ “Miss the Mississippi and You”:
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This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
