All of the tracks were recorded in 2016, except "Hiding My Heart" and Ruby Amanfu's cover of "Shadow on the Wall", which was produced by Patrick Carney and released in 2015.

[2] The album opens with Shovels & Rope performing "Late Morning Lullaby", followed by Dolly Parton's version of "The Story".

[2] The album continues with "My Song" by Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim James' "Wasted", and The Avett Brothers performing "Have You Ever".

[2] Preceding the album's release, Carlile and her band "the Twins" will begin a nine-stop concert tour in April 2017, during which they will perform The Story in its entirety.

[2] Paste's Review Of The Day said "Not since Aaron Dessner joined forces with The Red Hot Organization and released Dark Was The Night, in 2009, has a charity record been as relevant and crafted as Brandi Carlile’s latest project", and called the album "a welcome reminder, not only of the timelessness of the original record, but the unique artistry of the cover itself as well".