Folk artist Tucker Zimmerman has been making music for more than 50 years; his 1969 debut was produced by Tony Visconti (Bowie was a fan) and he’s worked with Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Mick Ronson and more over the years. At age 83, he’s signed to 4AD records thanks in no small part to admirers Big Thief, who back him on his first album for the label, Dance of Love.
“It was an extreme honor to make a record with one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” say Big Thief. “We believe in this music with all of our hearts, and we hope it brings you joy.”
Born in the US, Tucker has lived in Belgium for many years but traveled back to the states to work with Big Thief on the album, which also features contributions from Mat Davidson, Zach Burba, and Tucker’s wife Marie Claire.
“After years of writing and filling a box with over 500 song sheets, I had finally found my path, my originality, my voice,” Tucker says. “It had become clear to me that songs of only one kind were worth spending time on: those which had a positive message and a peaceful vibration … Just poetry. Little hums that perhaps might lift us all above our daily worries and fears, little hums that try to make the world a better place to live in.”
You can watch the video for the lovely “Burial at Sea” below. Dance of Love is out October 11 via 4AD.
DANCE OF LOVE
1. Old Folks From Farmersville
2. Idiot’s Maze
3. Lorelei
4. The Season
5. Burial At Sea
6. They Don’t Say It (But It’s True)
7. Leave It On The Porch Outside
8. The Ram-a-lama-ding-dong Song
9. Don’t Go Crazy (Go In Peace)
10. Nobody Knows
TUCKER ZIMMERMAN TOUR DATES
Sun. Nov. 3 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute
Tue. Nov. 5 – London, UK @ Pitchfork London at The Lexington
Fri. Nov. 8th – Utrecht, NL @ Le Guess Who Festiva