Once-in-a-generation folk guitarist and singer Muireann Bradley is today releasing new single ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’. Her original take on Hank Williams’ 1949 classic is a shining example of how music has the ability to transcend all barriers of time and place.
The track was recorded with multi-GRAMMY award-winning recording engineer Russell Elevado; widely recognised for the sound he created for D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’ album, he has also worked with the likes of Kamasi Washington, Michael Kiwanuka, Alicia Keys and The Roots. Russell is renowned for only using analogue equipment – this brings an unrivalled authenticity to the track, which was recorded directly to tape in just a couple of takes, letting Muireann’s virtuosic talent shine.
Muireann says, “I’m excited to have my take on ‘I’m so Lonesome I could Cry’ released. I’ve always really loved the original Hank Williams record; he was such an amazing writer. I once saw an old interview with Willie Nelson where he said he felt ‘I’m so Lonesome I could Cry’ was the greatest song ever written. I have to agree it’s a pretty perfect song. That didn’t stop me from changing the arrangement quite a bit from the original though, I wanted to slow the waltz down even more and add in more harmony from the guitar so I changed the chords up a bit and took some inspiration from the great Merle Travis’ 1952 recording of the 1924 jazz standard by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams.’ It’s different but I think it really works and I’m looking forward to hearing what people think about it.”
18-year-old Muireann is rapidly garnering a devout fanbase – as well as the admiration of veteran artists – thanks to her unique style, which blends traditional guitar playing with personal and mature interpretations of classic blues songs, bringing the genre to a whole new generation.
Today’s release follows on the heels of her rendition of the Bob Dylan classic ‘Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright’ which she recorded for Mahogany Sessions, watch here. A standout favourite from her live show, Muireann brings a fresh energy to the track; her stripped-back delivery echoes the power of Dylan’s original, while infusing it with her own distinct style.
Muireann’s acclaimed debut album ‘I Kept These Old Blues’ is out now; the first pressing sold out everywhere and is already regarded as a collectible among in-the-know music fans – truly remarkable given Bradley was just 15 years old when she recorded it. Now remixed and remastered by Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Kevin Reeves, ‘I Kept These Old Blues’ demonstrates the kind of assuredness and skill to be expected of a musician five times her age, on blues standards such as Blind Blake’s ‘Police Dog Blues’ as well as Rev Gary Davis’s ‘Candyman’.
Her journey from playing in her bedroom to performing on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny (watch here) and wowing Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott on The Late Late Show has captivated audiences, establishing Muireann as one of Ireland’s brightest emerging stars. Now, she is poised for a global breakout – watch a brilliant overview of her story to date here.
Currently on tour in the US, Muireann is playing in Washington, Brooklyn, Nashville and Chicago, before heading back to the UK to play at FOCUS Wales. After enchanting crowds at last summer’s Green Man Festival on the main stage, she will also play at The Great Escape, Bearded Theory festival and End Of The Road this summer.
