Joe Henry releases ‘Our Song’ from his upcoming reissue series through earMUSIC today.

Following the recent announcement and pre-order start of Joe Henry‘s forthcoming reissue series, today marks the release of a special first single from his newly mastered 2007 record ‘Civilians’. ‘Our Song’ is released on all platforms today in memory of the late Willie Mays, who passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93. The lyrics of ‘Our Song’ describe a fictionalized encounter with Willie Mays at a Home Depot store in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mays was an American baseball center fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball. Very popular amongst fans and teammates alike, he was included into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1979 to honor his career and legacy.

“I never intended to make a metaphor of the greatest baseball player of my life time; he simly presented himself to me as such, on 4th of July, in 2006, while my country was criminally at war in the Middle East, and I was at a loss, personally and spiritually, as to how to celebrate the day as mandated.”, Henry describes the inspirtation behind the single, “He appeared upon my tongue like a vision might to the eye – and I followed him; allowed him to speak. And even though I learned into his heroic countenance with neither his knowledge nor permission… I’m grateful that he stood with and for me in that hard moment.”

Starting off Joe Henry‘s forthcoming reissue triology will be his record ‘Civilians’, originally released in 2007. On August 23, 2024, the album will be made available on vinyl for the very first time via earMUSIC. ‘This reissue Series – with this particular trio of albums – represents my sort of ‘coming-of-age’ as a record maker: a song’s composition and its studio articulations all becoming a single impulse for me.’, Henry reflects on the reissue series.

The 2024 edition of ‘Civilians’ will feature all original album tracks in remastered sound as well as previously unreleased intimate demos from Joe‘s personal archives.

Pre-order ‘Civilians’ HERE

Listen to ‘Our Song’ HERE

Next to ‘Civilians’, the reissue triology also includes Henry‘s 2009 record ‘Blood From Stars’ and the 2014 album ‘Invisible Hour’. All three reissue-albums will be pressed on 180g double-vinyl and additionally be made available as CD Digipack, for streaming and digital download via earMUSIC.