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Robert Earl Keen, Happy Prisoner - The Bluegrass Sessions, feature CD, 2/27

KSUT will feature the new CD by core artist Robert Earl Keen on Friday, February 27 at noon. Debuting at #1 on Billboard's Bluegrass Albums Chart this week, Keen's album 'Happy Prisoner' has proved to be a successful first venture into the world of bluegrass for the legendary Texas songwriter. 

Along with critical praise from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR's Fresh Air and others, the stylistic risk-taking of 'Happy Prisoner' has also been embraced by Keen's loyal fans.

'Happy Prisoner' is an album unlike any other in Keen's storied catalog, paying tribute to fifteen bluegrass standards and other beloved acoustic songs that influenced his musical education as a child. Produced by Lloyd Maines, the album features guest performances from Lyle Lovett and Natalie Maines on vocals, Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins on fiddle, Peter Rowan on vocals, Danny Barnes on banjo and Kym Warner on mandolin. 

Eschewing the high lonesome vocal style typically associated with bluegrass, Keen opens new doorways into these songs by sticking with his trademark Texan twang and bringing "the enthusiastic curiosity of a visitor to this music," which "immediately distinguishes Keen's bluegrass from many other recordings in this genre" (Fresh Air). Listen to Ken Tucker’s entire album review  - http://www.npr.org/2015/02/18/387230502/robert-earl-keen-delves-into-bluegrass-with-a-texan-twang