When we posted the tracklist and background information forCiao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy, we hadn't heard anybody's contributions. As we said then, the compilation's 21-track lineup is impressive, the reason behind it -- the sudden death of Mulcahy's wife Melissa (pictured), leaving him to raise his three-year old twins alone -- heartbreaking. Now, going beyond the names next to the contributions, we can report that the opening track, Thom Yorke's percussive, electro-tinged cover of Miracle Legion's "All For The Best," is also impressive. He didn't mail it in, making it his own, while retaining the spirit of the original. As a result, fans of Radiohead, Miracle Legion, and Mulcahy should equally enjoy.
Indeed that is his brother Andy on backing vocals. A contextual refresher:
01 Thom Yorke - "All For The Best"
02 The National - "Ashamed Of The Story I Told"
03 Michael Stipe - "Everything's Coming Undone"
04 David Berkeley - "Loves The Only Thing That Shuts Me Up"
05 Dinosaur Jr. - "The Backyard"
06 Chris Harford & Mr Ray Neal - "Micon The Icon"
07 Frank Black - "Bill Jocko"
08 Vic Chesnutt - "Little Man"
09 Unbelievable Truth - "Ciao My Shining Star"
10 Butterflies Of Love - "I Have Patience"
11 Chris Collingwood (Fountains Of Wayne) - "Cookie Jar"
12 Frank Turner - "The Quiet One"
13 Rocket From The Tombs - "In Pursuit Of Your Happiness"
14 Ben Kweller - "Wake Up Whispering"
15 Josh Rouse - "I Woke Up In The Mayflower"
16 Autumn Defense - "Paradise"
17 Hayden -"Happy Birthday Yesterday"
18 Juliana Hatfield - "We're Not In Charleston Anymore"
19 Mercury Rev - "Sailors And Animals"
20 Elvis Perkins - "She Watches Over Me"
21 Sean Watkins - "A World Away From This One"
Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy is out 9/29 via Shout! Factory. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon. An additional 20 tracks from folks like A.C. Newman, Buffalo Tom and Laura Veirs will be released digitally.
