Beck’s ‘Song Reader’ recording to include Jack White, Norah Jones

What’s an album with no recorded music on it? That’s the question Beck posed on his 2012 effort “Song Reader,” a collection of original compositions only published as sheet music.

The contrarian “record” was a conceptual gambit (and, for sight-reading musicians, a chance to bring a Beck album to life at home). But now Beck has caved a little bit on the premise, and will release a recorded version of “Song Reader” featuring a huge roster of guests.

Norah Jones, Jack White, Fun., Laura Marling and Jarvis Cocker are among the many artists tackling Beck’s sheet music compositions on the record. Some unexpected interpreters include the Latin-rock titan Juanes and L.A. avant-soul favorite Moses Sumney.

In a statement, Beck said, “It amazes me to hear how these musicians have made the songs their own and in the process revealed that the interpretation is the living, breathing soul of the piece...These interpretations have made the book something new -- something better.”

The album comes out July 29 on Capitol. It follows Beck’s well-received 2014 record “Morning Phase,” a return to the lonely and hazy folk sounds he previously explored on 2002’s beloved “Sea Change.”

Follow @AugustBrown for breaking music news.