Last month, Belgium-based, American-born, singer-songwriter Tucker Zimmerman announced his 4AD debut and eleventh career studio record Dance Of Love, out on 11 October, and shared its lead single ‘Burial At Sea’. Today, Zimmerman blesses us with two new singles, ‘The Idiot’s Maze’ and ‘The Season’.
An up-tempo singalong romp with campfire sensibilities, ‘The Idiot’s Maze’ is composed of lively tambourine hits and jubilant head-bobbing bass, it transports listeners into the heartwarming camaraderie fostered by Zimmerman and backing band Big Thief, Zach Burba (IJI) and Mat Davidson (Twain). Meanwhile ‘The Season’ features a processed Casio and pedal steel along with the natural sounds of a powerful thunderstorm behind Zimmerman’s voice, creating an atmospheric, transportive meditation.
Over a career that spans half a century, Zimmerman’s discography is a sonic memoir. A sprawling collection of records that have explored folk, 12-bar blues, full-band rock concertos and classical piano compositions, his work is also a tribute to the people, experiences and sounds that have shaped his life, amassing in a deeply personal and resonating songbook.
Despite sailing under the radar throughout most of his storied and multi-layered career, the 83-year-old native Californian has received praise from contemporaries like Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker (“Tucker Zimmerman is one of the greatest songwriters of all time,”) and even from some of the all-time greats (David Bowie called Zimmerman, “too qualified for folk” and listed Tucker’s 1969 album Ten Songs among his 25 favourite albums). Inspired by Lenker’s appreciation for his work, Zimmerman was brought to the States to record the album, with Big Thief (and collaborators Mat Davidson and Zach Burba) serving as his backing band. On many tracks, Lenker meets Zimmerman half-way, their vocals fusing together in a soothing harmony; Zimmerman’s beloved wife of Marie-Claire, who graces the album’s cover, also joined the chorus line.
With Dance Of Love, listeners will find a multi-faceted and heartfelt record from a songwriter who has had a full and exciting life decorated with meaningful friendships, hard but valuable lessons, worldly experience, and ultimately, lots of love.
Dance Of Love will be released digitally and on CD, standard black LP and recycled LPE vinyl (indie retail and Tucker store only) on 11 October. For pre-order information, head HERE.
Tucker Zimmerman – Dance Of Love
4AD 0756
Tracklisting:
- Old Folks of Farmersville
- The Idiot’s Maze
- Lorelei
- The Season
- Burial At Sea
- They Don’t Say It (But It’s True)
- Leave It On The Porch Outside
- The Ram-a-lama-ding-dong Song
- Don’t Go Crazy (Go In Peace)
- Nobody Knows
TUCKER ZIMMERMAN ONLINE
