Mark Mulcahy, frontman of nearly forgotten ’80s college-rock act Miracle Legion, is the subject of a new tribute album featuring contributions by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, Dinosaur Jr, Mercury Rev and the Pixies’ Frank Black.
Due out Sept. 29 on Shout! Factory, Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy will feature 21 songs on CD (see full tracklist below), while a whopping 20 additional tracks — including cuts by A.C. Newman, Buffalo Tom and Laura Veirs — will be released digitally.
Stereogum today posted the set’s first track: Yorke’s glitchy cover of the 1987 Miracle Legion song “All for the Best.” Here it here. (Original posted below.)
Proceeds from the project will benefit Mulcahy, who was left to raise his twin 3-year-old daughters alone after his wife, Melissa Rich Mulcahy, died suddenly last September.
Formed in 1984 in New Haven, Conn., Miracle Legion released three albums and several EPs throughout the ’80s and early ’90s, garnering comparisons early on to R.E.M.’s southern jangle. In the mid-’90s, Mulcahy was approached to contribute music to Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” which led him to create the band Polaris. He released one more Miracle Legion album in 1996, and has recorded as a solo artist since then.
On his Web site, Mulcahy promises a pair of concerts in New York and London to coincide with the tribute album’s release.
Tracklist: Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy
1. Thom Yorke, “All For The Best”
2, The National, “Ashamed Of The Story I Told”
3. Michael Stipe, “Everything’s Coming Undone”
4. David Berkeley, “Loves The Only Thing That Shuts Me Up”
5. Dinosaur Jr, “The Backyard”
6. Chris Harford & Mr Ray Neal, “Micon The Icon”
7. Frank Black, “Bill Jocko”
8. Vic Chesnutt, “Little Man”
9. Unbelievable Truth, “Ciao My Shining Star”
10. Butterflies Of Love, “I Have Patience”
11. Chris Collingwood, “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”
Video: Miracle Legion, “All for the Best”
I stumbled upon this on youtube recently. Had no idea what had happened to Mark’s wife, may she RIP.
Was a huge Miracle Legion fan in the late 80’s…one of my faves from my days as a Holy Cross (WCHC 88.1) DJ.