Nashville crooner Nicole Atkins, releases her take on the Guns N’ Roses classic ballad, “November Rain,” as a duet with The Screaming Trees singer, Mark Lanegan. Premiering the song with Stereogum, they describe, “Atkins and Lanegan’s “November Rain” cover turns the song into a slow-cooking country-rock duet. The Screaming Trees singer’s signature grizzled, gothic baritone makes an ideal complement to Atkins’ sweet high-pitched twang.” The song is available on all digital platforms this Friday, November 23rd, 2018. Listen/Embed here.
Atkins found her inspiration for the cover while staying at a cozy Vermont Inn, a retreat from the usual corporate hotel digs provided while on tour. At the inn, Atkins found herself having strange dreams, one of which inspired the track. Atkins explains, “I dreamt that I was in an old tower and I was singing an old ’60s country style duet of the Guns n’ Roses song “November Rain,” and it sounded awesome. I immediately woke up and sang it into my phone the way I heard it.”
Returning to her home in Nashville, Atkins gathered a group of musician friends and headed into the studio to record the song as she dreamt it. Missing a duet partner, Atkins called upon The Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan to complete the track. Atkins states, “I still didn’t know who I’d get to sing it with me and then I thought, “well who’s the best living singer?” For me it’s Mark Lanegan… Mark and I have been talking about singing together now for over ten years so this seemed like the perfect time to do it. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose by asking and it turned out exactly as I’d pictured.” Lanegan adds, “Doing this song was a blast. It combined two of my favorite things: Nicole’s beautiful voice and GNR.” The result is a gorgeous, sprawling country reimaging of the rock n’ roll classic.
This past weekend saw Atkins perform at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY as part of an all-star collection of musicians to recreate The Complete Last Waltz. Atkins brought her vocal prowess to Neil Young’s “Helpless” and Young’s version of the Ian & Sylvia classic “Four Strong Winds” which appeared on The Band’s The Last Waltz. Click here to watch the performance. Atkins can next be seen heading overseas for a UK tour with Mercury Rev, kicking off on December 8th, 2018. All announced dates and tickets are available at www.nicoleatkins.com Stay tuned for North American tour dates to be announced soon.
