“This American Life” Fans Rejoice: Ira Glass Sings Elliott Smith

"Say Yes" duet with Lucy Wainwright Roache was Glass' idea

Bob Dylan has nothing on Ira’s nasal tunes.

National Public Radio DJ Ira Glass has lent his unique vocal talents to a cover of the late Elliott Smith’s “Say Yes,” New York mag’s Vulture blog reports.

To those unfamiliar with the eccentric “This American Life” host’s soul-affirming radio work, this may not be such a big deal.

But Glass'  fans are likely to find his duet with Lucy Wainwright Roache simply adorable.

Roache, the daughter of musicians Suzzy Roache and Loudon Wainwright III, told WNYC’s John Schaefer it was Glass’ idea to collaborate for what eventually became the bonus track of her debut full-length album.

“Somewhere along the line Ira made a joke about us doing a song together but we decided to take the joke seriously,” she said.

Check out a live version of the result, and Lucy Wainwright Roache's interview here ("Say Yes" at around 12:30).

Selected Reading: Vulture, Soundcheck, This American Life
 

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