Bill Callahan: “Heaven Help The Child” (Mickey Newbury Cover)

Hearing Bill Callahan do a cover tune used to be a rare event. In recent months, though, the ex-Smog singer has not shied away from paying homage to a few greats — from Leonard Cohen, with “So Long, Marianne,” to a live rendition of Lee Clayton’s “If You Could Touch Her at All.” Now we have perhaps the best cut yet of the run: “Heaven Help The Child,” a sparse, moving Mickey Newbury cover that’s perfect to these ears and available now via Drag City. What’s more, Callahan brings his own solemn presence to the official video below: