KCRW released a new live session with Bright Eyes over the weekend, which, in addition to being a fundraiser for KCRW, fits into Bright Eyes’ current celebration of 21 years of their two albums released on the same day in 2005, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. The session features stripped down, acoustic versions of a few songs off each, with frequent collaborator Maria Taylor of Azure Ray joining Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott on drums. They also take a break from their 2005 material by including two very rare tracks, both of which originally appeared on their 2002 EP There Is No Beginning to the Story, “Messenger Bird’s Song” and “Amy in the White Coat.” It’s the first time they’ve played either in well over a decade, and it appears they haven’t played the former since 2002, so it’s definitely a treat to hear them both. Listen below.
Bright Eyes’ first of three Wide Awake/Digital Ash shows happened last week at Red Rocks, and they have two more coming up: Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl on May 23 (with The Moldy Peaches) and NYC’s Forest Hills Stadium on June 6 (with Built to Spill).