Released on the back of 3 studio albums since 1999 (Tennessee Fire, At Dawn and It Still Moves) Chapter One: The Sandworm Cometh and Chapter Two: Learning are a look back at some of the pre-1999 MMJ recordings previously only available on singles and other compilations.
The dual release is both fantastically interesting and incredibly enjoyable to boot. The records highlight the formative years of the developing genius that is Jim James. In general the songs fall into 3 distinct categories; early recordings and demos of tracks that later appear on Tennessee Fire and At Dawn, other less familiar tracks and some well known covers.Fans of the under produced sound of the Tennessee Fire album are in for a treat with these 2 albums with a real loose tinny sound reverberating throughout the recordings. Set against the ever impressive vocals of Jim James the perfect contrast is created.
From the Sandworm Cometh tracks such as 'They Ran' (with Jim James breaking into some Chris Martin-esque vocals), 'Evelyn is Not Real' and 'Old September Blues', (becoming even more of a slow burning affair but every second as enjoyable) provide a familiar yet fresh feel. In truth there's not a dud track to be found from the beautiful frail sounding 'Isobella' to the strangely upbeat 'I Just Wanted to be Your Friend'. That said the real cream of the album comes in the form of 2 covers. Firstly Jefferson Airplanes 'White Rabbit' sounding as dark and haunting as ever and last but by no means least the Elton John standard 'Rocket Man' whom James' voice takes to another level.
From 'Learning' familiarity is brought to us through early demo versions of 'Death is the Easy Way' and 'Just One Thing' as well as superb live versions of 'Bermuda Highway' and 'I Will be There when You Die' which fits perfectly, attached at the back end of the beautiful 'Sunrides and the Girls Scream'. Once again the covers are up there with some of the best tracks on the album with James exhibiting his talent for taking the work of others and making it that bit better. Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls' aside which feels strangely out of place (though James shouldn't be blamed for his willingness to experiment) the standard is unerring. The brilliant 'Dream a Lil Dream O' Me' made famous by Mama Cass and Hank Williams' 'Why Don't You Love Me' are only surpassed by 'Take My Breath Away' with the ingenious addition of real footage from Top Gun which has to be heard to be believed.
In short 2 incredible albums in their own right but 2 compulsory albums for any diehard My Morning Jacket completest.
![Ch. 2: Learning [Australian Import]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jd2--69mL._SL500_.jpg)
