New Eddie Vedder solo song: “Hard Sun” (with Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker)
Clearly intended as a birthday gift for me (it’s tomorrow), the first Eddie Vedder solo song from the Into The Wild soundtrack has now been posted on the Into The Wild website. This initial listen sounds well-suited to what I understand the movie is about (note to self: get the book!) — a journey into the great wide open, wanderlust, sweeping vistas, solo strength.
It builds from an organic acoustic/tambourine affair to a heavier, fuzzier, driving thing of beauty by the end. It is apparently a cover of an obscure song by Canadian musician Gordon Peterson under the name Indio, from the 1989 album Big Harvest. Searching for information on Peterson is near impossible, as he seems to have all but vanished since the album was released, but the original song apparently features backing vocals from Joni Mitchell.
Ed’s version ramps up the Middle-Eastern influences and reminds me of Pearl Jam songs like “Who You Are” or “Face of Love,” a bit exotic. Sleater-Kinney punk goddess Corin Tucker duets, taking the part that Joni filled 18 years ago.
Name: Heather Browne
First of all Heather, Happy B-Day.
Second, I had no idea that they were making this book into a movie. It is an outstanding book. I highly recommend it. I am unsure how it will be as a movie although I am usually pretty skeptical about those things.
Anonymous — August 19, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
This may sound like a ‘Noob’ blogger question, but how to you embed those play buttons for the mp3′s?
Dance Hall Hips — August 19, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
NICE. I’ve been waiting for this song since I first saw the tracklisting, I’ve missed Corin desperately since S-K decided to take a break. I know she’s only doing backing vocals, but it’s so nice to hear her voice anyway. Thank you thank you.
And I hope you have a fantastic birthday as well!
Lauren — August 19, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
hi heather,
while I’m not the biggest PJ fan – this site is MUST for those o’ the persuasion!
andrew
http://thearmyreserve.blogspot.com/
Anonymous — August 19, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Happy bday and greetings from Canada
Great site Heather, I’m happy I found it.
There is a much better version of this song I hear on the radio up here in Canada from time to time and it blows away the acoustic version you linked on youtube.
The Vedder/Tucker version is fantastic of course and thanks again!
Hope you got lots of good presents, you deserve them
tony s — August 19, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
I gave the song a spin being the big PJ fan that I am and then thought, “I know this song” I looked at the Amazon link and recognized the cover from back in my radio days (we played it a vinyl when we first got it at the radio station–CD versions usually came in a couple of weeks later) Not to date myself TOO much, but 1989 was a great year to work at a “modern rock” station back in the day, and the original “Hard Sun” was part of that.
Figgsrock2 — August 19, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
I LOVED this book. It sat with me a long time after I finished it. I saw a trailer for it recently, and got all excited. I also do love this site. Happy birthday!
alicia — August 19, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Thanks so much for letting us know about the movie. I love the book and had no idea that it was being made into a movie. The music they are playing on the site sounds great. I can’t wait to hear the soundtrack.
Jan — August 19, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
There is an article in Esquire mag this month with Sean Penn – it talks a lot about this movie (Sean Penn, directed it), and it does sound like the movie will be really good. They mention Vedder briefly in the article, that his soundtrack is “an open road opera” and it refers to his “jet engine roar” helping give goosebumps during certain moments in the film.
Hope you had a good birthday, HB.
c — August 20, 2007 @ 5:38 am
Happy Belated Heather!!
Amazing song, thanks for sharing!!
russ! — August 20, 2007 @ 7:03 am
tony s
she already mentioned the version up here is Indios original from which eddie covers.
i like eddies version but i like the percussion from the original a little more
great song, it is in my collection since day one.
let us hope sean penn has learned how to make a movie that doesn’t drag along
Anonymous — August 20, 2007 @ 9:37 am
anonymous:
just to clarify, there is actually a better Indio version than the youtube one she posted. Joni is much more involved and it’s a more powerful version.
unreal how it’s so hard to find online though. canadian radio plays the version i’m referring to from time to time.
tony s — August 20, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Happy Birthday – thanks for everything you share with all of us!
Anonymous — August 20, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Happy Birthday – thanks for everything you share with all of us!
Anonymous — August 20, 2007 @ 11:07 am
I actually HAD that Indio album, I know this song. Excellent.
HRH Courtney, Queen of Everything — August 20, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
looks like the link is broken…
Lin Wilde — August 20, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
I think the IntoTheWild.com site took it down. You can still stream it on their site.
heather — August 20, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Wow! Stunning song! Can’t say any more than that really…other than can’t wait to hear the whole album
groovyf — August 22, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
just another happy birthday note! still love your blogity blog- thnx
crazynicci
♥NiccoleLynn® — August 23, 2007 @ 3:22 am
Heather:
The book is damned great. Got it for a birthday present a few years ago. It’s a stunning portrait of a willful “outsider” who goes to a romantic extreme most of us can only dream of, but pays the ultimate price. and a cautionary tale of human impotence and misadventure in the wilderness.
I think a lot of comparisons will be made with “Grizzly Man” once it comes out…
Happy Birthday!!! And thanks for the many gifts (music, passion, great writing, attitude, etc. etc.) you share.
You’re almost a Virgo and that’s alright with me.
– Dan Aloi
PS on ‘AOMM’ (Elvis post) are you SURE that’s Norah?? Sounds like the girl in the Cardinals to me…
I’d also recommend Odds’ “Wendy Under the Stars” as the ultimate Dead Elvis tribute. (cf. “Dead Elvis” by Griel Marcus, where I first learned of that great Canadian band)
Dan A. — August 23, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Really Kool Site!! Your on my desktop now!! Thanks Heather!!! From one Brown to another…:)
EAB
http://www.edmundallanbrown.com
Edmund Allan Brown — August 26, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
Absolute Vedder-concentrate goodness! This album and the movie are going to be exceptional, I feel. Great blog, I’ll be back.
daniel j. — August 30, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=XCtflupT_U4
Anonymous — September 21, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8x33LyBCUw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng0iIPipSXI
Anonymous — September 22, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Thanks Anon! Those are cool videos.
heather — September 22, 2007 @ 8:07 am