David Byrne - American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording) (2019) [Hi-Res]

Nonesuch releases the cast album for the current critically acclaimed Broadway production of David Byrne’s American Utopia, with music and lyrics by David Byrne; it is available digitally now. The two-CD version will be released on November 22 and is available to pre-order in the Nonesuch Store; the vinyl edition will be available this winter.

"David Byrne's American Utopia is a marvel of humanity and hope," says the Boston Globe, "exuberant and generous … it combines rock-show swagger and Broadway style … an undertaking made in hopes of bringing wonder back to the world."

American Utopia began as an album, also released by Nonesuch, which received a Grammy nomination and was the first by Byrne to reach #1 on the Album Chart; it was also his first to reach the Top Five on the Billboard 200 chart. The concert tour in support of American Utopia, which inspired the Broadway show, included songs from the new album along with music from Talking Heads and Byrne’s solo career. Byrne and the ensemble performed more than 150 dates in twenty-seven countries over nine months. The British publication NME said it “may just be the best live show of all time,” and it was named Best International Contemporary Concert at Australia’s 2019 Helpmann Awards.

David Byrne’s American Utopia features David Byrne with Jacquelene Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman, Chris Giarmo, Tim Keiper, Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, Mauro Refosco, Stéphane San Juan, Angie Swan, and Bobby Wooten III; Davi Viera also performs on the album. The show’s design team includes Rob Sinclair (lighting) and Pete Keppler (sound). Karl Mansfield and Mauro Refosco are Musical Directors. Choreography and Musical Staging is by Annie-B Parson. Alex Timbers serves as Production Consultant.

Fresh off an acclaimed pre-Broadway engagement at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre, David Byrne’s American Utopia began performances on October 4 at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway and celebrated opening night on Sunday, October 20.

David Byrne’s American Utopia is the once-in-a-lifetime Broadway event that delivers “an experience unlike anything else” (Billboard) and marks a major cultural milestone in the worlds of music and theater. David Byrne shares the spotlight with a diverse ensemble of eleven musical artists from around the globe to deliver “a marvel of staging and motion” (Chicago Tribune) that’s a “thought-provoking example of the power of live music” (Forbes).

In addition to American Utopia on Broadway, the label has released eight other David Byrne records since 2003, including 2018’s American Utopia studio album and two versions of his musical Here Lies Love.

David Byrne, vocal (1–21), guitar (5, 12, 16, 17, 20), drums (18)
Tendayi Kuumba, vocal (1–21), drums (18)
Chris Giarmo, vocal (1–21), drums (18), melodica (20)
Angie Swan, guitar (1–10, 12–17, 20, 21), vocal (3, 6, 8–13, 15, 17–21), drums (18)
Mauro Refosco, drums (1, 3–18, 19–21), vocal (19)
Gustavo Di Dalva, drums (1, 5–18, 20, 21)
Davi Vieira, drums (1, 3, 5–9, 11–18, 20, 21)
Bobby Wooten III, bass (2–18, 20, 21), vocal (3, 6, 8–10, 12, 15, 17–21), drums (18)
Karl Mansfield, keyboards (2–17, 20, 21), drums (18), vocal (18, 19)
Tim Keiper, drums (2¬–18, 20, 21), vocal (19)
Stéphane San Juan, drums (3–18, 20, 21), vocal (19)
Daniel Freedman, drums (3–18, 20, 21), vocal (19)
Jacquele Acevedo, drums (10), vocal (19)