HBO is about to lift the needle on its hedonistic first season of Vinyl. But there’s more blasts to come with a series final episode about to hit TV screens, and the release today (April 15) of a new album gathering some of the best tunes so far.
The Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger-produced sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll drama is set in New York in the early ‘70s and revolves around label head Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale). The series has a six-figure music budget per episode. And it shows, with each edition featuring up to 30 songs.
Chris Cornell’s bluesy cover of “Stay With Me Baby” was one of those musical blasts, featuring in the closing credits to last Sunday’s penultimate episode. The track, first recorded in 1966 by Lorraine Ellison, has been covered over the years by the likes of Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Mary J. Blige, and even American Idol’s runner up La’Porsha Renae. Listen to Cornell’s version below.
“I was very honored to be asked to record a version of ‘Stay With Me Baby’ for Vinyl,” Cornell told Vulture. “I get to pay tribute to Terry Reid, whose version of the song has been a favorite of mine for many years, and be included on a great soundtrack with an amazing group of artists.”
“Stay With Me Baby” is featured on the 17-track album Vinyl: Music From the HBO Original Series – The Essentials: Best of Season 1 which dropped today via Atlantic Records/Warner Bros. Records.
Recordings by Elvis Costello, Trey Songz, Iggy Pop, Charlie XCX and others feature on the compilation. The season finale of Vinyl airs this Sunday, April 17, at 9 p.m. on HBO.
Vinyl: Music From the HBO Series – The Essentials: Best of Season 1 Track List
1. “Kill the Lights” – Jess Glynne, Alex Newell, DJ Cassidy with Nile Rodgers
2. “Alright Lady (Let’s Make a Baby)” – Charlie Wilson
3. “Back Stabbers” – Elvis Costello
4. “Life on Mars?” – Trey Songz
5. “I Dig Your Mind” – Iggy Pop
6. “No Fun” – Charli XCX
7. “Strychnine” – John Doe
8. “Where Are You Now” – Royal Blood
9. “Watch Your Step” – the Arcs
10 “Stay With Me Baby” – Chris Cornell
11. “I’ve Been Wrong So Long” – Ty Taylor
12. “Woman Like You (A E I Want You)” – Nasty Bits
13. “Sugar Daddy (Theme from Vinyl)” – Sturgill Simpson
14. “Venus in Furs” – Julian Casablancas
15. “Love, I Want You Back” – Charlie Wilson
16. “Black Coffee” – Humble Pie
17. “I Wanna Be With You” – Nate Ruess