Ironically, one of the last of Jay’s contribution to the world was a charitable effort in support of the vastly influential New Zealand musician, artist, and Flying Nun mainstay Chris Knox who suffered a suffered a “life altering” stroke. To help with his rehabilitation costs 33 bands have donated Knox-related covers to the double CD collection Stroke – Songs For Chris Knox. The tracklist includes Yo La Teno, Lou Barlow, Jay Reatard (RIP), David Kilgour, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Stephin Merritt, Bill Callahan, the Mountain Goats, the Chills, the Verlaines, Tall Dwarfs themselves, etc. Jeff Mangum offers a deeply felt take on “Sign The Dotted Line.”
We have begun purchasing and listening to these songs to support Jay and the other bands generous efforts and are very impressed with the quality of artists and songs Merge records have compiled for this effort.
Check out the full track listing over at Merge and, if you can, please support their effort by buying some of the music or the full album on their website
Jay Retard – Pull Down the Shades
Yo La Tengo – Coloured
Lou Barlow – Song of the Tall Poppy
Jeff Magnum – Sign The Dotted Line
From Go To Whoa 