Morgan Freeman is unleashing his unmistakable voice and production wizardry on 'Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience', a monumental project tracing 100 years of blues music. This behemoth of an album drops on August 7 via Decca Records, promising to take listeners on a sonic journey from the Mississippi Delta's fertile roots to its global influence.
Freeman's passion for the genre is evident as he produces and narrates this sprawling epic. He declares the blues a 'testament to the unbroken human spirit' and 'the heartbeat of a culture that refused to be forgotten'. Expect a thrilling mix of blues legends and contemporary artists, including Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', and Shemekia Copeland, who join forces on this 100-year odyssey. The album kicks off with Blind Willie Johnson's haunting 'Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground' before tackling iconic tracks like B.B. King's 'The Thrill Is Gone' and 'Traveling Riverside Blues'. It concludes with a spine-tingling rendition of Sinners' Oscar-nominated track 'I Lied to You', which recently introduced the genre to a younger audience.
In celebration of Juneteenth, Freeman unveiled a sneak peek at Taj Mahal's cover of Son House’s 'Death Letter Blues', highlighting the personal significance of the music. He reflects on his grandmother's porch in the Mississippi Delta, where he first discovered the blues – an experience that has stayed with him to this day. Freeman praises the truth-telling nature of artists like Son House and Taj Mahal, underlining the album's connection to its musical heritage.
Producer Eric Meier echoes Freeman's sentiments, noting the music emerged from the same history that Juneteenth commemorates. He hails 'Death Letter Blues' as one of the most raw and honest pieces in the American songbook, praising Taj Mahal's symphonic rendition – recorded between Royal Studios and Abbey Road – as groundbreaking. This project marks Freeman's most significant foray into music to date, building on his previous narration work with Metro Boomin and 21 Savage.
Freeman's deep affection for the blues is well-documented; he co-owns the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi – a town synonymous with the genre's origins. This album promises to deliver a rich, educational, and emotionally charged exploration of a musical form that has shaped global culture, all presented through the unique lens of one of cinema's most respected voices.
While this is an American-centric project, the blues has a sizeable following in the UK, with numerous festivals and dedicated fan bases. The album's release on Decca Records suggests it will be widely available across the UK, and streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are set to carry it upon its release.