An all star cast including Thom Yorke and Michael Stipe have assembled to pay tribute to noted American songwriter Mark Mulcahy.
Mark Mulcahy may relatively unknown outside of the close-knit American indie rock scene, but it seems he has some friends in high places. After his wife died of cancer Mulcahy was left with the prospect of raising his daughter alone.
Forced to choose between his music and his family, his family won. Yet Mulcahy’s songwriting could be set to reach its biggest audience to date, with a tribute album featuring contributions from Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe and many more.
Mulcahy was the singer with Miracle Legion for almost a decade. Extremely well regarded in their native New England, the band failed to gain wider prominence. After their record label Morgan Creek went bust the group split.
Not to be deterred, the songwriter went on to form Polaris, who became the house band for the fondly remembered American TV series ‘The Adventures Of Pete & Pete’. Eventually going solo, perhaps Mark Mulcahy’s most popular moment is crafting the theme song to the TV series – ‘Hey Sandy’.
Whilst Mulcahy has not had the commercial attention he perhaps deserves, the singer is nonetheless highly praised by some. Nick Horny wrote an essay on one of the artist’s tracks for his tome ’31 Songs’.
Now it seems that Mark Mulcahy’s work is due to get a superstar make over. A new tribute album titled ‘Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy’ is due for release on September 29th in the United States.
Featuring contributions from Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, Frank Black and more the album is virtually a who’s who of American alternative rock. Running to some 21 tracks the record also features Ben Kweller and Mercury Rev, amongst others.
In addition to this, it has been announced that a further 20 tracks will be released digitally, by artists such as Buffalo Tom and AC Newman. Two concerts to coincide with the release are in the planning stage, although exact details have yet to be announced.
‘Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy’ is due to be released on September 29th in the United States.
Thom Yorke – ‘All For The Best’
The National – ‘Ashamed Of The Story I Told’
Michael Stipe – ‘Everything’s Coming Undone’
David Berkeley – ‘Loves The Only Thing That Shuts Me Up’
Dinosaur Jr. – ‘The Backyard’
Chris Harford & Mr Ray Neal – ‘Micon The Icon’
Frank Black – ‘Bill Jocko’
Vic Chesnutt – ‘Little Man’
Unbelievable Truth – ‘Ciao My Shining Star’
Butterflies Of Love – ‘I Have Patience’
Chris Collingwood (Fountains Of Wayne) – ‘Cookie Jar’
Frank Turner – ‘The Quiet One’
Rocket From The Tombs – ‘In Pursuit Of Your Happiness’
Ben Kweller – ‘Wake Up Whispering’
Josh Rouse – ‘I Woke Up In The Mayflower’
Autumn Defense – ‘Paradise’
Hayden – ‘Happy Birthday Yesterday’
Juliana Hatfield – ‘We’re Not In Charleston Anymore’
Mercury Rev – ‘Sailors And Animals’
Elvis Perkins – ‘She Watches Over Me’
