It’s good to know a knight. Just ask Steve Martin. OneThirtyBPM turned us on to the news that the 65-year-old comedian/actor turned bluegrass star has tapped Sir Macca to sing on his forthcoming album, Rare Bird Alert. The 13-track effort (set to be released on March 15th via Rounder Records) will attempt to continue the magic Martin created on 2009’s The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, and once again finds him backed by The Steep Canyon Rangers.
If you don’t really watch The Grammys then you probably have no idea that Martin and the six-piece bluegrass outfit from Brevard, N.C., took home the 2009 award for Best Bluegrass Album. They’ve headlined Merlefest, Bonnaroo, and even tore it up on Austin City Limits once, but if you’re still weirded out by seeing the guy from TV and movies like The Jerk and Three Amigos rip it up on a banjo, then Martin looks to ease your pain.
Martin – who was recently praised for his uncanny ability to stay focused – wrote every single song on Rare Bird Alert, and a press release says the disc will even feature a cover his hilarious SNL performance of “King Tut”. And while that should certainly prove to be awesome, Martin is just happy to be playing. “[The album] represents an intense, but joyful period of songwriting and touring,” he said, “My love of this music still continues.” Check out Martin playing said music in the clip below .
Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers – “The Crow” (Austin City Limits)
