Kevin Morby Releases Two Versions of Previously Unreleased “Baltimore” to Benefit Local Nonprofit

Kevin Morby already released City Music earlier this year, but he’s still has more music about cities up his sleeve. He shared two iterations of a previously unreleased song, “Baltimore,” and not only is he showing love for the city through the lyrics, he’s also giving the proceeds from the digital sale of the single to benefit Believe In Music, a local nonprofit that empowers “youth with self-expression and community engagement through music and technology education.”

“Baltimore (Sky At Night)” was recorded during the making of 2016’s Singing Saw, while “Baltimore (County Line)” was recorded during the City Music sessions. Each of the versions were recorded with different bands. As a piano drives the “Sky At Night” version forward, the “County Line” rendition ambles with soft rhythms and more subdued vocals from Morby.

Although “Baltimore” didn’t make the cut for either record, Morby says he “love[s] the song dearly, but in the end thought that thematically it didn’t belong on either album, and thus ha[s] been waiting for this moment to release it as what it has always been meant to be—a single.” Of the city and the charity, he says:

I love Baltimore. It is a city with a giant heart and has remained one of my favorite places to keep returning to on tour. It is unique and beautiful and you can’t mistake it for anywhere else in the world—Baltimore is one hundred percent Baltimore. All proceeds from both my and the label side will go to the Believe In Music education program, which provides “an innovative music education for Baltimore’s youth.” I do hope you enjoy both versions of the song and if you do decide to donate—thank you for contributing to what I believe to be a great cause.

Check out both versions of “Baltimore” below, along with the single’s cover art, and purchase the tracks via Morby’s Bandcamp here. While you’re at it, check out our review of City Music here.