Williamson, James -& Petra Haden-
Blues Jumped The Rabbit
This is the second of three singles that James Williamson will be releasing this year. The first was with The Bellrays' Lisa Kekaula for their single "I Love My Tutu" / "Never Far From Where The Wild Things Are" out now digitally and on 7-inch vinyl. Proceeds from this first record will benefit Project Hawai'i, which helps homeless children in Hawaii. The Stooges' James Williamson has collaborated with singer, violinist and composer Petra Haden for this new benefit single "Blues Jumped The Rabbit" backed with "Last Kind Words." Both of these songs are traditional folk/blues compositions. The lyrics for the A-side can be traced back to Blind Lemon Jefferson's 1926 recording "Rabbit Foot Blues" for Paramount Records, while the B-side was first recorded by blues enigma Geeshie Wiley back in 1930, also for Paramount. James said "I asked her to come in and do a demo with me in L.A. while working on the last Iggy and the Stooges record Ready to Die. I was hooked. Not only did she sing with perfect pitch, but she also played her violin with authority and tasteful music sensibilities. I used her to great effect as a background singer thereafter on Ready to Die, my last solo album Re-Licked and "I Love My Tutu" single, but I have always wished that I could find the right songs to spotlight her as a lead vocalist."