The Graduation Ceremony
Encyclopedia
The Graduation Ceremony is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur
, released on May 23, 2011 on Lonely Astronaut Records. Following two studio albums with backing band, The Lonely Astronauts
, The Graduation Ceremony is Arthur's first solo album since Nuclear Daydream
(2006), and was initially intended to be a joint release with session drummer Jim Keltner
. Prior to the album's release, Arthur noted, "early signs are quite good that people might like it. One can only hope. You do your thing put it out and move on. Artists and sharks are the same." Regarding the album's stripped-back aesthetic, Arthur stated, "I wanted to make something simple."
Produced by John Alagia
, the album features Liz Phair
, Jim Keltner
and Lonely Astronauts bassist Sybil Buck
amongst its contributors.
, Arthur subsequently recorded the track, alongside ten others at Sheldon Gomberg's studio, The Carriage House. Arthur noted, "I'm always looking for creative outlets when I'm in L.A., because L.A. scares me. There's a great energy in not being home. So I called Sheldon and I said I had some songs to record, and would he be up for it? He said 'sure', and I said, 'Well I'm already outside. Can I come in?' I went through all these tracks - some old, some brand new ones that I hadn't recorded - on mostly first or second takes, and that was going to be the record."
Eventually deciding that the tracks were "undercooked and underproduced," Arthur contacted session drummer Jim Keltner
, who had recently worked with Arthur on the collaborative album, As I Call You Down
, and had previously appeared on Arthur's second studio album, Come to Where I'm From
, to record drum tracks to the stripped-back acoustic recordings. Arthur subsequently contacted producer John Alagia
, who had previously produced Arthur's contribution to the Shrek 2
soundtrack, "You're So True", and the duo began working on the already recorded material, alongside other tracks.
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
, released on May 23, 2011 on Lonely Astronaut Records. Following two studio albums with backing band, The Lonely Astronauts
The Lonely Astronauts
The Lonely Astronauts is the band originally started as Joseph Arthur's touring band. Joseph and the band have recorded and released two studio albums together thus far, titled Let's Just Be , and Temporary People...
, The Graduation Ceremony is Arthur's first solo album since Nuclear Daydream
Nuclear Daydream
Nuclear Daydream is the fifth full-length album by Joseph Arthur, released on September 19, 2006. It was the first release through Joseph's own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records. The album version of "Enough to Get Away" was the first single in the UK to coincide with the album's release there...
(2006), and was initially intended to be a joint release with session drummer Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
. Prior to the album's release, Arthur noted, "early signs are quite good that people might like it. One can only hope. You do your thing put it out and move on. Artists and sharks are the same." Regarding the album's stripped-back aesthetic, Arthur stated, "I wanted to make something simple."
Produced by John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
, the album features Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Phair's entry into the music industry began when she met guitarist Chris Brokaw, a member of the band Come. Brokaw and Phair moved to San Francisco together, and Phair tried to become an artist there...
, Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
and Lonely Astronauts bassist Sybil Buck
Sybil Buck
Sibyl Buck is an American musician and former fashion model.- Biography :Born in Versailles, France, Buck started her modeling career in 1992 and has worked for Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen, and many other fashion houses.After quitting the modeling industry in...
amongst its contributors.
Background and recording
Upon writing the album's opening track, "Out on a Limb", on a friend's guitar, whilst staying in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Arthur subsequently recorded the track, alongside ten others at Sheldon Gomberg's studio, The Carriage House. Arthur noted, "I'm always looking for creative outlets when I'm in L.A., because L.A. scares me. There's a great energy in not being home. So I called Sheldon and I said I had some songs to record, and would he be up for it? He said 'sure', and I said, 'Well I'm already outside. Can I come in?' I went through all these tracks - some old, some brand new ones that I hadn't recorded - on mostly first or second takes, and that was going to be the record."
Eventually deciding that the tracks were "undercooked and underproduced," Arthur contacted session drummer Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
, who had recently worked with Arthur on the collaborative album, As I Call You Down
As I Call You Down
As I Call You Down is the debut album by American rock supergroup Fistful of Mercy, released on October 5, 2010.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Dhani Harrison - lead, harmony, and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboards...
, and had previously appeared on Arthur's second studio album, Come to Where I'm From
Come To Where I'm From
Come to Where I'm From is the second official studio album by Joseph Arthur released by Real World Records on April 11, 2000. The album was co-produced by T-Bone Burnett, and features the singles "Chemical" and "In the Sun."-Track listing:-Singles:...
, to record drum tracks to the stripped-back acoustic recordings. Arthur subsequently contacted producer John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
, who had previously produced Arthur's contribution to the Shrek 2
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to 2001's Shrek...
soundtrack, "You're So True", and the duo began working on the already recorded material, alongside other tracks.
Track listing
- "Out on a Limb"
- "Horses"
- "Almost Blue"
- "Someone to Love"
- "Watch Our Shadows Run"
- "This is Still My World"
- "Over the Sun"
- "Face in the Crowd"
- "Midwest"
- "Gypsy Faded"
- "Call"
- "Love Never Asks You to Lie"
Musicians
- Joseph ArthurJoseph ArthurJoseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
- lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums - John AlagiaJohn AlagíaJohn Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
- guitar, bass guitar - Jim KeltnerJim KeltnerJames Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
- drums - Sibyl Buck - backing vocals
- Brian Cohen - backing vocals
- Madie Diaz - backing vocals
- Liz PhairLiz PhairPhair's entry into the music industry began when she met guitarist Chris Brokaw, a member of the band Come. Brokaw and Phair moved to San Francisco together, and Phair tried to become an artist there...
- backing vocals
Recording personnel
- John Algia - producer, recording, mixing
- Joseph Arthur - producer
- Sheldon Gomberg - recording (The Carriage House)
- Ed Ackerson - recording (Flowers Studio)
- Scott Hull - mastering