I'll Take Care of You (Mark Lanegan album)

Overview
I'll Take Care of You is the fourth solo studio album by American musician Mark Lanegan, released on September 21 1999. The album consists entirely of cover versions of songs by various artists, ranging from classic country to blues and folk. It was issued through Sub Pop and Beggars Banquet Records and produced by Martin Feveyear.

Background and Production
Following the 1998 release of Scraps at Midnight, Lanegan recorded I'll Take Care of You with the intention of interpreting songs that had influenced his musical development. The selection includes works by Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Brook Benton, Tim Hardin, Leaving Trains, Fred Neil, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones, Overton Vertis Wright, Buck Owens, Stephen Harrison Paulus, and Tim Rose, as well as the traditional folk ballad “Little Sadie.” Recording took place in 1999, with Lanegan’s vocals accompanied by a roster of musicians, including former Screaming Trees members and other collaborators. Martin Feveyear served as producer, engineer, and mixer, also contributing organ, percussion, piano, and Wurlitzer parts.

Musical Style
The album is categorized as alternative rock, though its arrangements draw heavily from Americana traditions, incorporating elements of country, blues, and folk. The overall length of the record is 33 minutes and 40 seconds.

Release and Promotion
I'll Take Care of You was released on September 21 1999 in the United States. It was distributed by Sub Pop in the United States and Beggars Banquet internationally. The cover art features a monochrome photograph of Lanegan, with design and layout handled by Jeff Kleinsmith and photography by Stanford Wilson.

Critical Reception
The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Steve Huey of AllMusic praised Lanegan’s interpretive abilities, noting that his “already well‑established style” served the covers effectively, describing many tracks as “stunning to merely excellent.” Pitchfork Media awarded the album a score of 7.5 out of 10, with reviewer Neil Lieberman commending Lanegan’s ability to “tug on the timeless threads that hold the patchwork of American music together.” NME referred to it as “probably his finest, most tenderly‑delivered work to date.” The album also appeared in professional ratings from Alternative Press, Robert Christgau, and Q magazine.

Track Listing

Personnel

Primary Artist

• Mark Lanegan – vocals

Musicians

• Mike Johnson – guitar
• Steve Berlin – organ, flute, piano
• Mark Boquist – drums
• Van Conner – bass
• Martin Feveyear – organ, percussion, piano, Wurlitzer (also producer, engineer, mixing)
• Mark Hoyt – acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
• David Krueger – violin
• Barrett Martin – percussion, vibraphone
• Mark Pickerel – drums
• Ben Shepherd – bass

Technical Staff

• Brett Eliason – engineering
• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Jeff Kleinsmith – layout design
• Chris Takino – A&R
• Stanford Wilson – photography

Commercial Performance and Legacy
While the album did not achieve major commercial chart success, it has been recognized for its artistic merit within Lanegan’s discography. Critics highlighted Lanegan’s interpretive skill and the album’s role in showcasing the breadth of his musical influences. It is often cited as a notable example of 1990s cover albums in the alternative rock sphere.

Chronology

References

• AllMusic, “I'll Take Care of You – Mark Lanegan.”
• Robert Christgau, “CG: Artist 882.”
• Pitchfork, “Mark Lanegan: I'll Take Care of You.”
• NME, “I'll Take Care Of You,” September 12 2005.
• Pitchfork Media, review by Neil Lieberman, 7.5/10.
• AllMusic review by Steve Huey.