posted July 25, 2002 02:55 PM            

Recorded this spring in Los Angeles, New York, and London, DAYLIGHT finds Sheik working within a more modern musical framework than ever before. "Iıve lately been in the mood for music that has an immediate and uplifting effect on the listener," Sheik says. "I was interested in making a record that seemed more positive and electric, but still contained within it layers of subtlety and nuance. What started out as an experiment in making music for an audience, as opposed to making music purely for myself, ended up becoming an album of songs that is more gratifying for me than anything Iıve done before."

DAYLIGHT features contributions from a number of renowned musicians, including guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Gerry Leonard (David Bowie, Laurie Anderson), bassist Jeff Allen (Avril Lavigne), drummer Doug Yowell (Suzanne Vega), and honorary fifth member of the band, producer Patrick Leonard, who contributes various keyboards. In addition, the London Session Orchestra - led by Gavyn Wright, with strings arranged and conducted by Simon Hale - appears on four tracks. All songs on DAYLIGHT were written by Sheik, except "On Her Mind," which was penned in collaboration with legendary guitarist/songwriter Mick Jones, and "Start Again," written by Gerry Leonard.

DAYLIGHT is Sheikıs first new album since his widely acclaimed 2001 collection, PHANTOM MOON. The Nonesuch/Atlantic release - written in collaboration with playwright Steven Sater - received remarkable reviews in such publications as People, Us Weekly, and the New York Times, where it was acclaimed as "the most entrancing collection of pop dream songs since Nick Drakeıs 1969 album, ıFIVE LEAVES LEFT.,"

Hailed by Rolling Stone as "beautiful and benevolent of spirit," Sheik's 1996 self-titled Atlantic debut was one of the yearıs most popular and praised releases. The RIAA gold-certified album - which includes the top 20 smash, "Barely Breathing," one of the longest-charting singles in Billboard 'Hot 100' history - spent some 30 weeks on the Billboard 200. Duncan returned in 1998 with HUMMING, which drew raves from coast-to-coast, including the New York Times, which noted that "Sheikıs beautifully orchestrated meditations suggest that pop can still aspire to a lofty, searching classicism."

Alongside his solo recordings, Duncan continues to be involved in a variety of musical/theatrical projects. Most recently, he composed original music for the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festivalıs presentation of Twelfth Night in New York Cityıs Central Park. The production - which stars Julia Stiles, Kristen Johnson, Jimmy Smits, and Christopher Lloyd - opened on June 25th and runs through August 11th. In 2003, Sheik will again team with Steven Sater for a musical adaptation of the 19th century play, Spring Awakening. The Roundabout Theatre production is tentatively set to bow at New Haven, Connecticutıs Long Wharf Theater in January, with a New York opening slated for early Spring.

Duncan Sheik DAYLIGHT - Album Track Listing:
Genius
Half-Life
Start Again
On Her Mind
Such Reveries
On A High
Magazines
For You
Good Morning!
Memento
Shine Inside
Chimera (hidden track)

**** The Only Important thing here is that Duncan be true to himself. I just can't wait for the release!!!!

posted July 28, 2002 12:27 AM            

It looks as if Atlantic is getting ready to give us a sneak preview of the "Daylight" tracks., but it's not working yet. Try it and let me know when it's up and running.