Pitchfork: Elliott Smith Tributes on the Way, iTunes EP Out Now

Elliott Smith Tributes on the Way, iTunes EP Out Now

In the wake of Elliott Smith's posthumous 2004 release From a Basement on the Hill, tributes to the late troubadour continue to pour in. Semi-official but very connected Elliott Smith website SweetAdeline.net has details on several Smith tribute albums, as well as an upcoming concert in his honor at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, N.C.

That tribute show, entitled "Either/Or: A Celebration of the Music & Life of Elliott Smith", will bring together singer/songwriters such as Chris Stamey, Kaia Wilson, Ivan Rosebud, Erie Choir, Street Green, Billy Sugarfix, Fan Modine, the Feeble Hex, Hotel Lights, and Ben Davis on February 25. A Smith-themed slide show will be presented between sets and a psychedelic light-show will follow. No, we're serious.

In addition, Smith's former label Kill Rock Stars released the Speed Trials EP last week as an Apple iTunes exclusive. The previously out-of-print UK 7" contains songs recorded during 1997's Either/Or sessions, namely alternate versions of "Angeles" and "Speed Trials", but more importantly, the coveted b-side "I Don't Think I'm Ever Gonna Figure It Out."

Finally, a slew of small record labels are following suit with tribute records. Nashville's Double D Records, is releasing Tribute to Elliott Smith, an "officially licensed and authorized tribute" by the end of the month; Vitamin Records' The String Quartet Tribute to Elliott Smith is in stores now.