Out There in the Distance Somewhere.. Maybe. (Part 2)

Our latest installment of Out There in the Distance Somewhere.. Maybe (OTDS/M) brings a little more info on the new album we hinted at in the first OTDS/M.

So work has definitely begun on the album, which has a working title of "No Better Than This." Not only has John written 30 new songs (and he's writing more), but he and Andy York have spent a week in and out of the studio cutting demos for 20 of them.

As previously reported, John intends to record the album in old buildings like the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson recorded blues classics like "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Crossroad Blues." Many of these are turn-of-the-century hotels built to accommodate railroad passengers-and are now sadly dilapidated.

John does hope that the album, which is being produced by T Bone Burnett, will be out next January or February. He has written a song titled "No Better Than This," but is not sure whether it will make the final cut.

We understand, too, that the album will be "a complete change of style-and voice" for John-but that's all we know! So read anything further into it at your own risk. And once again, all information herein is subject to change.

--jim bessman