There shouldn't be anything said before watching this video, but due to the obligations that go with my job title I'm going to have to say something about Justin Vernon. The man is on top of the world right now with his newest record, Bon Iver, jumping to or near the top of everyone's projected "Best of 2011" lists, and this performance shows an artist walking on water. A cover of the Bonnie Raitt classic performed live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in May, this live in studio performance does away with the gala and hoopla of television performances and distills the Bon Iver effect to its essence. There's nothing here but a piano, a whole lot of heartbreak, and Vernon's impeccable vocal delivery.
Bon Iver is out now on Jagjaguwar.
