NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) - Custard/Atlantic Records has announced the release this week of "ALL THE LOST SOULS," the eagerly anticipated second album from multi-platinum singer/songwriter
James Blunt. The album - which features the hit single, "1973" - arrives today in international markets, with its U.S. release set for tomorrow.
"ALL THE LOST SOULS" comes nearly three years after the original October 2004 UK release of Blunt's breakthrough debut, "BACK TO BEDLAM," and two years following its U.S. release in October 2005.
The album has already been reaping critical praise. "He shows the abandon and confidence of a long-term artist," raved Billboard. "Sounding like John Mayer channeling Jeff Buckley in the middle of Abbey Road, each of Blunt's songs are infused with love, loss and confusion, but are rendered so elegantly that it sounds like he's got everything figured out... There's not a misstep throughout."
Blunt is heralding the album's release with special sold-out performances in New York and Los Angeles. He plays two shows this week at New York City's Highline Ballroom, on September 19 & 20, followed by a show at the El Rey in L.A. on September 25. Blunt will begin a full-fledged tour of North America in February.
As part of an extensive slate of media activities, Blunt is set for a string of major television appearances, including both "The Today Show" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" tomorrow, "Nightline" on Friday, September 21, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on September 25, and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on September 28.
The album was premiered on The Leak on VH1.com beginning on September 11 and is featured on Live@VH1. The companion video for "1973" was added to the channel in Gung Ho rotation, and is currently No 5 on the "VSPOT Top 20 Countdown." Over at MTV, Blunt is set for a special appearance on "TRL" tomorrow, September 18.
Prior to its release, "ALL THE LOST SOULS" became the first-ever album on iTunes where the pre-order allowed streaming of snippets of every song before purchasing. Also on iTunes, the single "1973" was No 1 during its entire first week of release. Blunt has been selected as Artist of the Month on MSN, and September Featured Artist on MySpace.
On October 8th, imeem will begin streaming an exclusive James Blunt live concert, presented by Dentyne. The show will be recorded this week at Blunt's performance at the Highline Ballroom in New York.
"ALL THE LOST SOULS" was recorded and mixed in Los Angeles with producer Tom Rothrock, who also oversaw "BACK TO BEDLAM." The new collection features several songs that became road-tested favorites in the course of Blunt's marathon touring during 2006 - including "1973," "I Really Want You," "Same Mistake," and "Annie." Backing Blunt throughout "ALL THE LOST SOULS" is his long-standing live band of keyboardist Paul Beard, guitarist Ben Castle, bassist Malcolm Moore, and drummer Karl Brazil.
The UK release of James Blunt's debut album, "BACK TO BEDLAM," in October of 2004 marked the beginning of a remarkable musical story. With his compelling songs, captivating voice, and charismatic presence, Blunt gradually built a passionate following through constant gigging and contagious word of mouth.
Two years later, "BACK TO BEDLAM" has sold some 11 million copies around the world and Blunt had become an unlikely chart topper, evolving from musical obscurity into global stardom. The album held the No 1 spot in Blunt's native UK for a remarkable nine weeks, with the single "You're Beautiful" topping the charts for five. James became the biggest-selling artist of 2005 in the UK, where he earned two prestigious BRIT Awards.
"BACK TO BEDLAM" went on to hit No 1 in 16 territories around the world, and ranked at No 1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart for over two months. Blunt garnered two World Music Awards and an MTV Europe Music Award.
In the U.S., "BACK TO BEDLAM" earned RIAA double-platinum certification, while Blunt gathered a remarkable five Grammy nominations and two MTV VMA Awards. When "You're Beautiful" hit No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, James became the first British artist to top the U.S. singles charts since Elton John with "Candle In The Wind 1997."
James' breakthrough was documented on the DVD release, "CHASING TIME: THE BEDLAM SESSIONS." Along with a live concert filmed at BBC Studios in London, it includes over an hour of extras, including video clips and "making of the video" features, a documentary, an interview with James, and a photo gallery.
Blunt is a staunch supporter of Doctors Without Borders/Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the international medical humanitarian organization. He personally witnessed the organization's life-saving work while stationed with the British army in Kosovo, where he served as a reconnaissance officer with the NATO peacekeeping force. Throughout his 2006 world tour, Blunt worked to increase awareness and generate much-needed funds for Doctors Without Borders/MSF.
