Graduation Ceremony

Joseph Arthur | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: LONELY ASTRONAUT
• ASIN: B004V9J9B2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,173 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Out On a Limb

2. Horses

3. Almost Blue

4. Someone To Love

5. Watch Our Shadows Run

6. This Is Still My World

7. Over The Sun

8. Face In The Crowd

9. Midwest

10. Gypsy Faded

11. Call

12. Love Never Asks You To Lie

Editorial Reviews

Produced by: John Alagia & Joseph Arthur

Recorded by: Sheldon Gomberg at Carriage House LA and John Alagia at Village Recording

Mixed by: John Alagia at Village Recording

Mastered by: Scott Hull at Masterdisk

Joseph Arthur: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keys, Drums
Jim Keltner: Drums
John Alagia: Guitar, Bass, Keys
Jessy Greene: Violin
Jessy Greene, John Alagia and Joseph Arthur: String Arrangements
Sibyl Buck, Brian Cohen, Madi Diaz, Liz Phair: Backing Vocals


Joseph Arthur Announces The Graduation Ceremony (May 24th / Lonely Astronaut), His First Solo Album Since 2006's Nuclear Daydream Joseph Arthur's music has been described as 'a dynamic swirl of noise that somehow appears magically around him' (NPR), 'emotional (but tuneful) exorcisms (Entertainment Weekly), and 'lush, poetic, squalling, spiritual, and strange. Just like life' (Boston Globe). Vanity Fair has hailed him as 'one of our most emotionally revealing and talented singer-songwriters.' Michael Stipe once told the Los Angeles Times that 'Jo is one of those rare writer-performers where you get the sense, whatever you believe, that something greater is being channeled through his music and voice...It touches something very deep and universal.' 'There s nothing to do in the Midwest but dream,' sings Joseph on The Graduation Ceremony (May 24th / Lonely Astronaut), his first solo album since Nuclear Daydream(2006) and follow up to Fistful of Mercy, his 2010 collaboration with Ben Harper and Dhani Harrison. Produced by John Alagia and featuring legendary session drummer Jim Keltner (John Lennon, Bob Dylan), this sparkling new collection of songs is orchestrated with Arthur's signature noise-scapes and a full string section; an elegantly haunting album anchored by classic songwriting. Joseph Arthur will be touring the US throughout 2011 and the Gershwin Hotel in New York City will be exhibiting his paintings for the month of June.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Immaculately gorgeous album- His best to date May 25, 2011

By lanegan

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a long-time fan of Joseph Arthur, and he is one of my favorite artists. My expectations for any album of his are quite high, but this album has even blown those lofty expectations away. Quite simply, this is his best album to date, and one of the best collective albums I have ever heard. Those familiar with his work will recognize the atmospheric tones, hauntingly beautiful lyrics, and unique approach to crafting songs, all of which permeate through this entire record perfectly. The album is amazing. Each song is fantastic. There are no throw-away tracks here. In addition, the songs seem to fit together quite well. Standout tracks for me include "Midwest", "Gypsy Faded", "Call", and "Into The Sun". Do yourself a favor and buy this record. Those new to Joseph Arthur will find this as a great introduction to his music. Those familiar with his music will find this to be an essential component to their collection. Ten or twenty years from now, people will still be talking about how incredible this record is. There are very few albums I give 5 stars to, but this is certainly one of them.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph's Grauation May 27, 2011

By Bobthebuilder24

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's unfortunate that such a immensely talented artist goes unrecognized by so many. I think this is hands down the best album I've heard for the year (i listen to a lot of music). I won't write much more, if you are reading this you are probably already a Joseph Arthur fan. Just let me say, this is his best work yet.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and Haunting June 29, 2011

By Elizabeth

Format:Audio CD

Graduation Ceremony is a great introduction to Joseph Arthur. I bought copies for friends and family who had never heard of him. The melodies are beautiful; the lyrics are great as always. As a Joseph Arthur fan, I would agree that it is less daring than some of his other work, but that isn't the point. This record is about loss and healing. Even though it deals with a failed romance, it works as a metaphor for loss itself--the music has some hauntingly beautiful sounds that make the listener almost ache in some impenetrable stupor.

As someone who was born and raised in the midwest, I understand all too well that "there's nothing to do in the Midwest but dream."