Boardwalk Empire, HBO’s drama about prohibition-era bootleggers in Atlantic City is returning for its second season in a couple of weeks, and they’ve roped in more big names to help them out with the soundtrack.
Rather than record entirely new songs, the artists are recording covers of songs made famous in the 1910s and 20s by the likes of Irving Berlin, Eddie Cantor, Sophie Tucker and Ted Lewis. The songs come from a time when jazz and blues really started to have an influence on mainstream dancehall music, and can be seen as one of the golden ages of the art form. So far the artists who have agreed to take part in recording for the show are St. Vincent, Justin Townes Earle, Regina Spektor, Loudon Wainwright III, Leon Redbone, Martha Wainwright and Kathy Brier.
Boardwalk Empire‘s music supervisor Randall Poster believes that “It tests the ability of a contemporary singer to render a period sound.” Fortunately these acts will have the backing of the show’s house band Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks who have plenty of experience in these matters.
Additional songs have been recorded by Moldy Peaches man Adam Greean and New York Dolls singer David Johansen; these songs will feature in the show but will not make the released edition of the soundtrack. It has not yet been announced when the soundtrack will be released, but you can expect a full track list soon.
