randomWalks

Pitchfork: Speaking of Poison, you head one of the few acts in which one hears as much metal as soul. What's the soundtrack in the tour van?

James: Oh man, everything. Danzig 2: Lucifuge has been in heavy rotation, as has Europe's The Final Countdown. Roy Orbison's Best Of. Strange mix CDs. And Erykah Badu live. Also we've been jamming to the new Swearing at Motorists, Bobby Bare Jr., and Ben Kweller. As well as the Scorpions' Love at First Sting and The Muppet Movie soundtrack.

Pitchfork: Did you get your ears on Willie Nelson's killer version of The Muppet Movie's "Rainbow Connection"? Whoooo.

James: I saw Willie do it in concert and nearly cried. The crickets were out and it was at the state fair. It was a beautiful night for a beautiful song. My mom was there too and that meant a lot, because that was a big song for us growing up. It was a magical moment.

This is actually not all that good an interview, but that's okay, because I'll read anything I can right now pertaining to My Morning Jacket. Buy At Dawn, see them live, listen to this appearance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. The singer's voice is like the fifth and heretofore unknown element.