Soundtrack / various artists - American Epic: The Sessions / 180 gram vinyl 3LP set

American Epic is a three-part documentary that tells the extraordinary story of the trailblazing era when country-wide, the music of ordinary Americans was recorded for the very first time.

The series culminates with The American Epic Sessions, the feature-length film showcasing contemporary artists in recording sessions using original recording equipment from the era. American Epic: The Sessions is an album of exclusive new recordings produced by Jack White and T Bone Burnett of music legends and contemporary artists including Alabama Shakes, The Americans, The Avett Brothers, Beck, Frank Fairfield, Ana Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Merle Haggard, Bobby Ingano, Elton John, Auntie Geri Kuhia, Pokey LaFarge, Bettye LaVette, Los Lobos, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Fred Martin and The Levite Camp, Ashley Monroe, Nas, Willie Nelson, Charlie Kaleo Oyama, Blind Boy Paxton, Raphael Saadiq, and Jack White.

The artists have recorded both new compositions and songs from the 1920s and 1930s that are featured in the PBS documentary, American Epic. For the American Epic: The Sessions segment, the producers re-assembled a recording lathe from the late 1920s-the last of it's kind in existence-and replicated the atmosphere of America's seminal 1920s field recordings down to the smallest detail. The artists recorded straight to wax, using all the original microphones, amplifiers, and other equipment from that era. It was the first time that any performer has been able to use this machinery for over 80 years.