Today, The Black Crowes announced a new collection of covers entitled 1972, an Amazon Original EP due to release digitally exclusively on Amazon Music on May 4 and physically on May 6 via Silver Arrow. The tribute project is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of some of the best rock-and-roll songs, including The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” which was released in conjunction with the EPs announcement.

1972 was recorded at one of the most iconic studios in the world Sunset Sound in Los Angeles in January. Sunset Sound produced Prince’s 1999, The Rolling Stones’ Let it Bleed, Love’s self-titled LP, and many many more.

“The year 1972 was a watershed moment, some of the greatest rock and roll songs ever made came out of that year. To get our band back together in the studio, it had to be a celebration of rock and roll,” said The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson. “This record is about love and devotion to something that makes us feel good. We hope that it makes fans around the world feel the same.”

The album will feature covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Rocks Off,” Rod Stewart’s “You Wear It Well,” Little Feat’s “Easy To Slip”, “The Slider” by T-Rex and “Moonage Daydream” along with the aforementioned cover of “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.”

“The Black Crowes have been celebrating their influences for their entire career, and a whole generation of fans (this one included) surely discovered Otis Redding’s ‘Hard To Handle’ and Bob Marley’s ‘Time Will Tell’ through their versions,” said global co-head of artist relations for Amazon Music, Stephen Brower in a press release. “To work with them to re-visit 1972, a truly magical year in music, was an absolute thrill. I can’t imagine another band having the skill and the swagger to take on these songs and pull it off so spectacularly.”

Additionally, The Black Crowes will perform the EP live from Whiskey a Go-Go in Los Angeles on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel on May 4 at 7:00 p.m. PST. The show will also mark the 50th anniversary of a Little Feat performance at the famed venue in 1972.

Listen to “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” here.  Pre-Order 1972 here.

The Black Crowes: 1972 Track List:

  1. “Rocks Off” (The Rolling Stones)
  2. “The Slider” (T-Rex)
  3. “You Wear It Well” (Rod Stewart)
  4. “Easy To Slip” (Little Feat)
  5. “Moonage Daydream” (David Bowie)
  6. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” (The Temptations)

Watch a trailer for the album below: