THE PIECES OF EDEN BRENT'S 'JIGSAW HEART': HOW MISSISSIPPI LIFE AND MUSIC INSPIRED HER MOST DEEPLY-FELT ALBUM TO DATE

Eden Brent walked us through the fascinating pieces of her new Americana album 'Jigsaw Heart' (out this week on Yellow Dog Records), her most deeply-felt album to date. Here are some highlights:

+ "Back in the 70’s the IRS auctioned some of Jerry Lee Lewis’s belongings to offset his outstanding tax debt, and my Daddy was highest bidder on his confiscated home stereo. So, I used to listen to Floyd Cramer’s 'Last Date' on a record player that once to belonged to Jerry Lee Lewis!"
+ "'Better This Way' is the only song I’ve ever written that made me cry while I was writing it."
+ A local Greenville, MS bluesman cautioned Brent about her reputation, which lead to the rollicking "Everybody Already Knows."
+ The McCrary Sisters add vocals to "Opportunity," giving it a hint of Nashville gospel flavor.
+ Though a pianist by trade, Brent wrote "The Last Time" on guitar, for a friend who died in a car accident.
+ "Let's Go Ahead and Fall In Love" features sly double entendre verses inspired by the blues tradition.
+ "Locomotive" was inspired by how Brent's father met Johnny Cash in 1956 and Brent likens the beat to that of "Folsom Prison Blues," which Cash dedicated to Brent's father at a show. "'Locomotive'" has the same country two-step rhythm with a strong backbeat."
+ "Valentine" strips down the arrangement and lays bare the emotions; Brent was in tears by the end of the recording.

Eden Brent will perform at Iridium in NYC and at Hill Country Live in D.C. Complete tour dates here.

American Songwriter is streaming 'Jigsaw Heart' in its entirety.

EDEN BRENT CONFIRMS 'JIGSAW HEART' TOUR DATES WITH NEW AMERICANA ALBUM OUT MAY 6

Eden Brent — the acclaimed singer/pianist/songwriter who has been compared to Lucinda Williams and Norah Jones — has confirmed new tour dates soon after the release of her new album 'Jigsaw Heart' (May 6 / Yellow Dog Records). The new album is her most heartrending to date and was recorded at historic RCA Victor Nashville Sound Studios and produced by Colin Linden (Williams, Lindi Ortega). CMT Edge says that 'Jigsaw Heart' "sounds like it could've come out of 1970s Nashville."

She kicks off the string of dates with a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival appearance May 2 at 12:25pm in the Blues tent.

5/2/2014 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5/7/2014 - Nashville, TN- Family Wash
5/8/2014 - Memphis, TN - BB King's (afternoon)
5/9/2014 - Memphis, TN - Center For Southern Folklore
5/14/2013 - New York, NY - Iridium Jazz Club
5/15/2014 - Washington, DC - Hill Country
5/24/2014 - Sedan, KS - Chautauqua Hill Blues Festival
5/25/2014 - Kansas City, MO - Knuckleheads Saloon
5/30/2014 - Charlotte, NC - The Double Door
6/13/2014 - Chicago, IL - Buddy Guys Legends
6/14/2013 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Blues Fest ("Meet Me In Memphis" Stage)
6/21/2014 - Flagstaff, AZ - Flagstaff Blues & Brews
7/9/2014 - Clymer, NY - Peek'n Peak Resort

American Songwriter premiered the video for "Everybody Already Knows."