Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John

Released in 2007, 'Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John' represents a significant pivot toward traditionalism for Peter Case. While Case was a founding member of The Nerves and The Plimsouls, this album eschews his power-pop roots entirely in favor of a stark, Grammy-nominated folk aesthetic. The title is a nod to the influential bluesman Sleepy John Estes, signaling Case's intent to engage deeply with the roots of American music. Recorded with a minimalist philosophy, the album features contributions from Richard Thompson and Duane Jarvis, yet maintains a singular focus on Case's fingerstyle guitar work and weathered vocals. Critically, it was hailed as a return to form and a definitive statement in the Americana genre, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album. It stands as one of the most intimate and lyrically dense entries in his extensive catalog.