Unreleased John Prine, David Allan Coe Songs Grace New Projects

On the surface maybe, pairing up John Prine and David Allan Coe might feel a little awkward. But those who know their country history are familiar with the fact that John Prine was the unspoken co-writer of David Allan Coe’s big hit and signature song “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” with Steve Goodman. So there is a correlation.

But otherwise, these two have nothing to do with each other currently, aside from the fact that just like a bevy of other deceased or vocally incapacitated country performers—including Waylon Jennings, Gary Stewart, Don Williams, Randy Travis, and others—they’re getting on board with releasing unreleased and previously-unheard tracks as part of upcoming projects (here’s looking at you, Merle Haggard estate).

Maybe you’re not into listening to demos, remainders, and seconds. But for many hardcore fans, they want their ears to touch most anything their favorite artists recorded.

On August 21st, Sun Records will be releasing Texas Moon (Deluxe), which was originally recorded in 1973 with Coe’s road band at the time for Plantation Records. It finds Coe covering songs from Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver and Jackson Browne, and others, along with the Coe originals “Mary Magdeline” and “Fuzzy Was An Outlaw.”

The album wasn’t actually released until 1977 when Coe had already signed to Columbia since they bought the rights to it but never released it. It was also reissued on CD in 1993. Texas Moon was also notorious because the cover featured Coe and his band (and even a dog ) “mooning” the camera. Now it’s being reissued to include previously unreleased demos David did with Plantation Records’ Shelby Singleton. This will also be the first time the album is being issued on vinyl in four decades.

To pre-order/pre-save Texas Moon (Deluxe), CLICK HERE.

On October 9th, John Prine’s Oh By Records will be doing their own reissue of unreleased recordings in an album they’re calling Found Dogs. The expanded reissue coincides with the 30th Anniversary release of Prine’s 1995 album Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings. It’s also being released the day before what would have been John Prine’s 80th Birthday.

Found Dogs comes with demos, alternative takes, and acoustic solo performances, along with five previously-unreleased John Prine original songs, including “World Without Love” that is out now. Though the album was initially previewed in April as part of Record Store Day, this will be the Found Dogs wide release. The original album was produced by Howie Epstein of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame, and features multiple co-writes with Gary Nicholson.

The release is part of a greater celebration of the life of John Prine around his 80th birthday that will include a concert series in Chicago called Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine, with artists such as Hayes Carll, Margo Price, Steve Earle, Nathaniel Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann, Billy Prine, Briscoe, and others performing.

To pre-order/pre-save Found Dogs, CLICK HERE.