Pitchfork

Okkervil River has posted a mixtape for free download on the band's website, which includes primarily covers recorded at live shows, radio sessions, etc. over the past couple of years. I can definitely vouch for this version of Randy Newman's "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear". The original is a holiday tune called "Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas", which is something we should all consider doing. There's downloadable art, liner notes, the whole deal. Tracklist is below.

MP3:> Okkervil River: Golden Opportunities Mixtape

1. "April Anne" (John Phillips)
2. "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear" (Randy Newman)
3. "I Want To Know" (Charles F. Olsen/Ed Sanders)
4. "Do What You Gotta Do" (Jimmy Webb)
5. "I Came Here To Say I'm Going Away" (Serge Gainsbourg/Trans. By W. Sheff)
6. "The Blonde In The Bleachers" (Joni Mitchell)
7. "Antarctica Starts Here" (John Cale)
8. "Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas" (Will Sheff)
9. "Solo" (Sandy Denny)

[Stage Names is out now on Jagjaguwar]