While this release is technically dubbed an “iTunes Session,” the most promising detail within today’s Ryan Adams announcement was the facility where his new set was recorded: Hollywood’s Capitol Studios. That’s the space housing Les Paul’s famed natural echo chambers among other classic tools used by a host of legends — for those of us keeping track of that sort of thing. As for the tunes, Adams put four Ashes & Fire songs to tape along with Whiskeytown standout “Houses on the Hill,” a pair of enduring Heartbreaker tracks, and one of the two Bob Mould covers he’ll be releasing on limited vinyl for Record Store Day three days prior. That cut, “Black Sheets of Rain,” we’ve heard him slay a number of times in recent memory, particularly on Letterman in December.
Looking forward to seeing if anything comes of Adams’ recent jam sessions with emerging L.A. trio Haim, but an 8-song set recorded at a top studio is a nice treat in the meantime. Check out the tracklist for the April 24-due release, as well as the aforementioned Mould cover clip, after the jump.
Long before Ethan Johns gained notoriety for his work producing and performing on some of the best singer-songwriter records of the past decade, the British multi-instrumentalist was a promising solo artist in his own right. Now it looks like he’s ready to release a record with his name on the back and front of the packaging: “Whip-Poor-Will,” a new Johns cut just hit the web in official video form, complete with guest backing vocals from famous friends/collaborators Ryan Adams, Laura Marling, and more. No word yet on whether this sparse tune is set for the LP he was once 
At this point, an official album of ’80s metal songs interpreted as heartfelt acoustic cuts by Ryan Adams doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Following up last year’s