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Okemah Rising is the twelfth studio album by American band Dropkick Murphys, released on May 12, 2023, on Dummy Luck Music. The album was recorded in 2022 during the band's recording sessions for This Machine Still Kills Fascists and like the songs from that album, the songs are composed of unused lyrics and words from Woody Guthrie. Like with the previous album, Okemah Rising does not feature vocalist Al Barr who was on hiatus from the band to take care of his ailing mother. The album was executive produced by Guthrie's daughter Nora Gutherie and also features appearances by Violent Femmes, Jaime Wyatt, Jesse Ahern and Woody's grandson Cole Quest.[2] The album features a reworked "Tulsa Version" of the band's biggest hit, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", which was originally written by Guthrie.
| Okemah Rising | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 12, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2022 | |||
| Studio | The Church Studio (Tulsa, Oklahoma) | |||
| Genre | Celtic punk | |||
| Length | 28:52 | |||
| Label | Dummy Luck Music | |||
| Dropkick Murphys chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Okemah Rising | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Blabbermouth.net | 8/10[1] |
Background edit
The album was recorded in Tulsa in Woody Guthrie's home state of Oklahoma at Leon Russell's The Church Studio. With Al Barr on hiatus from the band, the band thought it was the ideal time to record an acoustic album. The band released the first album from these recording sessions, This Machine Still Kills Fascists, in 2022.
Promotion edit
The album was preceded by the first single and music video for "I Know How It Feels" on March 1, 2023. The album's second single, "Gotta Get to Peeksill" (featuring Violent Femmes), was released on March 31, 2023, with a music video being released on April 6, 2023. The album's third single and music video for "Bring It Home" (featuring Jaime Wyatt), was released on May 31, 2023.
The band's early 2023 dates in Europe featured the first performances of songs from Okemah Rising. The band will continue to promote the album throughout their annual St. Patrick's Day shows in the US, which begin in March 2023.
For people who preorder the vinyl version of Okemah Rising through the band's website, they will receive a free limited edition 7-inch vinyl featuring acoustic versions of "Barroom Hero" and "Skinhead on the MBTA" recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The 7-inch will not be sold at retail.
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Woody Guthrie
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Eyes Are Gonna Shine" | 2:12 |
| 2. | "Gotta Get to Peekskill" (featuring Violent Femmes) | 2:46 |
| 3. | "Watchin the World Go By" | 3:37 |
| 4. | "I Know How It Feels" | 2:46 |
| 5. | "Rippin Up the Boundary Line" (featuring Jesse Ahern) | 3:27 |
| 6. | "Hear the Curfew Blowin" | 3:04 |
| 7. | "Bring It Home" (featuring Jaime Wyatt) | 3:22 |
| 8. | "When I Was a Little Boy" | 2:32 |
| 9. | "Run Hitler Run" | 2:42 |
| 10. | "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" (Tulsa Version) | 2:24 |
| Total length: | 28:52 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Talking Hard Work (Woody Guthrie Cover)" |
Personnel edit
Dropkick Murphys
- Tim Brennan – guitar, accordion, vocals
- Ken Casey – lead vocals, bass
- Jeff DaRosa – banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitars, vocals
- Matt Kelly – drums, percussion, vocals
- James Lynch – guitars, vocals
Additional musicians
- Cole Quest – dobro guitar, backing vocals
Charts edit
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[3] | 19 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[4] | 37 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[5] | 63 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[6] | 87 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[7] | 16 |
References edit
- ^ Erickson, Anne (May 7, 2023). "Reviews – Okemah Rising". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Okemah Rising – Out May 12". dropkickmurphys.com. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Dropkick Murphys – Okemah Rising" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Dropkick Murphys – Okemah Rising". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2023.