Songs from the Broadway Production The Catherine Wheel, David Byrne

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David Byrne – Songs from the Broadway Production of "The Catherine Wheel"

Artist: David Byrne

Title: Songs from the Broadway Production of "The Catherine Wheel"

Album Type: Solo Studio Album / Soundtrack

Original Release Date: December 14, 1981

Label: Sire Records

Genre: Art Rock / Avant-Garde / Worldbeat / Funk / Electronic

Background & Production The Catherine Wheel is the debut solo album by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, commissioned by legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp for her Broadway dance production of the same name. Recorded during a hiatus between Talking Heads’ Remain in Light and Speaking in Tongues, the project allowed Byrne to further explore the polyrhythmic, "afro-funk" sounds he had pioneered with Brian Eno. The album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in New York and features an incredible ensemble of guest musicians, including Brian Eno, Adrian Belew (guitar), Bernie Worrell (keyboards), and Yogi Horton (drums).

Musical Composition & Style The album is a sonic bridge between the dense, tribal textures of Remain in Light and the more experimental, atmospheric sounds of Byrne's later solo work.

• The "Big Funk" Sound: Tracks like "Big Business" and "What a Day That Was" feature the locked-in, syncopated grooves that would later be perfected during the Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense era.

• Experimental Textures: Much of the album consists of shorter, evocative instrumental pieces (like "Cloud Chamber" and "Eggs in Briar") that utilize early synthesizers, "found sound" percussion, and jagged guitar work to create a sense of mechanical and biological motion.

• Vocal Performances: While much of the Broadway score was instrumental, the vinyl release focuses on the "songs," showcasing Byrne’s signature nervous, rhythmic vocal delivery on tracks such as "My Big Hands."

Legacy & Collector Notes The album was highly acclaimed by critics for its innovation and remains a favorite among audiophiles for its complex layering and wide soundstage. Interestingly, the original vinyl release contained a curated selection of songs, whereas the cassette and later CD versions included the full "33-track" score. For Shopify collectors, an original Sire Records pressing is an essential piece of the New York Post-Punk/New Wave puzzle, documenting Byrne’s first major step away from a band structure toward his future as a multimedia artist.

• Keywords: David Byrne, The Catherine Wheel, Talking Heads, Twyla Tharp, Brian Eno, Sire Records, 1981 Vinyl, Art Rock, Post-Punk, Adrian Belew.

• Collection Ideas: Art Rock & Avant-Garde, Experimental Soundtracks, Post-Punk Rarities, The David Byrne Collection.

• Related Artists: Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Tom Tom Club, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve