FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2007
PETER HIMMELMAN’S THE PIGEONS COULDN’T SLEEP ADDRESSES WIDESPREAD ANXIETY
First recording on Himmasongs Recordings through Thirty Tigers/RED includes a value-added second disc documentary film about the wisdom of schlepping an adolescent dream into mid life
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Peter Himmelman’s tenth studio album is titled The Pigeons Couldn’t Sleep. “The pigeons are different things to different people,” says the acclaimed veteran singer-songwriter. “Old ghosts, bad politics, broken expectations, wars of all shapes and sizes . . . It’s a restless world out there; nobody can sleep — even the birds feel the vibrations.”
The first recording on the artist’s new Thirty Tigers/RED-distributed label Himmasongs Recordings will come bundled with a free value-added DVD, a feature-length documentary, Rock God. The 65-minute film begins in the ‘70s with footage of Himmelman’s notorious Minnesota new wave band, Sussman Lawrence (whose members all had hair to die for), and traces his development musically, culturally and religiously (Himmelman is an observant Jew). The journey is punctuated by revelations and laughs as Himmelman and band tour on the heels of his last album, 2005’s Imperfect World. The film is for anyone attempting to carry a dream into reality. . . and also for those who let it go along the way.
List price for the combined CD and DVD package is a lean $16.98. Street date is set for August 21, 2007.
The Pigeons Couldn’t Sleep’s 13 tracks range from blistering and bluesy house-shakers to ballads of tender urgency. The album begins with a haunted slide-guitar passage by Himmelman (whose guitar prowess shouldn’t be underestimated) and ends with the gospel tinged “If We Could Hold Each Other’s Hunger,” about the power of empathy. In between, Himmelman proffers such powerful songs as “Gratitude,” “War of Words” and “The Ship of Last Hope.”
The songs on this self-produced album started as sketches, which Himmelman developed until they were “finished paintings.” He was joined by Willie Aron (Victoria Williams, Balancing Act) on vocals; Brett Simons (Fiona Apple, Liz Phair), bass; Jeff Babko (“Jimmy Kimmel Live”, James Taylor), keyboards; George Shelby (Brian Setzer), saxophones; Jimmy Englund (Hindu Rodeo), drums, Lee Jaffee (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh), harmonica, and Israeli musician Daniel K. Man on piano and Hammond B3.
The DVD companion, Rock God, was directed, edited, and filmed by Keith Wolf and co-produced by Himmelman and filmmaker Jim Hershleder. Hershleder, along with renown commercial director Peter Kagan, shot the archival footage 20 years ago. Himmelman wants you to know this about Rock God: “It’s not a video biography. It’s not ‘Behind the Music.’ It’s an uplifting film that will make you laugh your ass off -and even move you.” The DVD will appear in initial pressings of the CD and may not be included in subsequent pressings. So fans are encouraged to purchase the package soon after release date.
In addition to readying the CD/DVD, Himmelman has been busy as music composer for not one but three television series: “Men in Trees” (ABC), “Bones” (Fox) and “Heartland” (TNT). He also recently released the critically acclaimed My Green Kite, his fourth recording for children.
He’ll also be a touring monster this summer, with dates commencing in July in the East and running through late August in the Midwest and West.
July 17 ANNAPOLIS, MD Ramshead
July 18 WASHINGTON, DC Sixth & 1 Historic Synagogue
July 19 PHILADELPHIA, PA World Café Live
July 22 NEW YORK, NY Joe’s Pub
July 23 BOSTON, MA Paradise Lounge
July 25 SEATTLE, WA The Triple Door
July 26 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Café du Nord
August 1 & 2 CHICAGO, IL Schubas
August 3 & 5 CHICAGO, IL Grant Park (Kidzapalooza)
August 5 MADISON, WI Annex
August 6 ST. PAUL, MN Fitzgerald Theater
August 19 LYONS, CO Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2004
PETER HIMMELMAN SETS SPIN ON IMPERFECT WORLD; NEW ALBUM SET FOR MARCH 29 STREET DATE
Self-Produced Album also Features Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & Attractions), Sheldon Gomberg (Rickie Lee Jones, Beck)
LOS ANGELES – Peter Himmelman, of whom USA Today called, “one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers.” has completed work on his forthcoming album Imperfect World. The album will hit the streets on March 29 on Majestic Recordings (MRI), distributed by Navarre.
The self-produced album, recorded at Himmelman’s Chelsea Studios just outside of Los Angeles, features such guests as drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & the Attractions), bassist Sheldon Gomberg (Rickie Lee Jones, Beck, Ryan Adams), Jeff Young (Jackson Browne, Donald Fagan, Sting) on Hammond B3. and Willie Aron (Victoria Williams, Balancing Act) on backing vocals. The record’s hard-edged electric guitar work -- which was played entirely by Himmelman, will come as surprise only to those who think of him as an acoustic player.
The material for Imperfect World was written in a short spurt not long after he completed touring for his 2004 release, Unstoppable Forces. Himmelman recalls it happened around the 9th of Av, a Jewish day of fasting in late summer. “All this affliction made for a propitious few days of writing. The truly pious are encouraged to refrain from working but when I make music, I never think of it as work”.
The album features the title track, “Imperfect World,” in which Himmelman writes about changing perceptions in the wake of a recent car accident that killed his younger sister. “The song’s based on a simple narrative. A guy takes a walk in the woods reflecting on the miraculous order of the universe; very much like a prayer. Suddenly there’s this ache – an acute sense of loss that turns the prayer into an anguished complaint”.
Himmelman will spend spring and summer of 2005 on the road with either his American band or a band from Israel called The Flying Baby that has backed him when he plays there. He’s still deciding.
Until then, Himmelman is busy with his incredible day job – Emmy nominated composer for the hit CBS hit “Judging Amy,” now in its sixth season. “It was an extremely nice train to have jumped onto just as the record industry was sliding into the toilet.” he laughs.
Peter has released ten solo albums and three award winning children's albums, which have brought him tremendous critical acclaim. His writing on his debut Epic release, From Strength to Strength, prompted Time Magazine to dub him one of “The New Troubadours,” describing Peter as “writing songs with the same emphatic edge and aesthetic urgency that impelled the Lost Generation to write novels
The media has always respected Himmelman’s craft. Paste magazine cited his “rapier wit and a unique gift for composing sincere songs of absolutes, marital love and the ‘beyond reckoning’ blessings of children.” Salon cited “Himmelman writes songs with an assured easiness, the music fitting snugly around his graceful but often biting words.” No Depression added, “Himmelman strips his music to its essence, tapping into a primal inspiration, investing melodies that have the sing-song simplicity of Buddy Holly or the Beatles with the yearning of a spiritual quest.”
There can only be more of where those came from in an Imperfect World.
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http://www.peterhimmelman.com
