“California Stars” is a song from 1998’s Mermaid Avenue Vol. II, a collection of some of Woody Guthrie’s previously unrecorded songs that Bob Dylan thought had been promised to him. Fate wasn’t having it though, and a little over 20 years after Woody Guthrie’s death in 1967, his daughter Nora tapped Billy Bragg who then recruited Wilco to help him record versions of Guthrie’s songs for a newer generation.
YouTube kept recommending the song “California Stars,” which I finally clicked on. Very shortly thereafter, I ordered the three CD collection, and found it chock full of goodies. I decided to use this song instead though, as it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. “Hesitating Beauty” is incredibly fun, and “Birds and Ships” featuring Natalie Merchant is angelic.
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