The story of It’s a Sad and Beautiful World stretches back to the early 2000s, when Norah Jones was singing regularly with Hopkins’ band, the J.C. Hopkins Biggish Band. Around that time she signed her record deal, recorded their co-write “Painter’s Song”, and later duetted with Willie Nelson on Hopkins’ song “Dreams Come True.” While Norah’s first record was taking off, Hopkins was recording this album at the same studio, with friends Martha Wainwright, Teddy Thompson, and some of New York’s finest jazz musicians. Martha introduced him to Garth Hudson, and soon after Levon Helm agreed to play on a track. Levon loved the music so much he ended up recording drums on six songs. Though the album never saw the light of day back then, at long last, it is finally being released.
“This project means the world to me,” says Hopkins. “To make music with Levon and Garth — artists whose songs shaped generations — was not only an honor but a reminder of why we play in the first place: to connect, to celebrate, and to keep the flame alive.”
It’s a Sad and Beautiful World highlights Hudson’s visionary keyboard textures and Helm’s unmistakable drumming, woven into Hopkins’ lush arrangements and storytelling. The result is a record that resonates with resilience, joy, and reflection — a timeless document of artists in full command of their craft.
