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Song Stories

“Louisiana Fairytale”

Jim James and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band | 2010

My Morning Jacket singer Jim James sat in with these traditional New Orleans old-time jazz legends for a song on a benefit effort to support the group. First recorded by early jazz great Fats Waller, this version hews closer to that than anything written by MMJ. For authenticity, it was recorded at Preservation Hall's hallowed French Quarter home base, where fans can see the band nightly. "What a thrill," recalls James. "We did it old-school: all live with no electricity, and the garbage trucks even played along!"

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

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