John Doe will release his fourth solo record, Dim Stars, Bright Sky, on August 20th on iMusic. The album, Doe's first fully acoustic release, will feature guest vocal appearances by Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller, Juliana Hatfield and the Go-Go's Jane Wiedlin, as well as the previously announced Aimee Mann and Jakob Dylan.

After splitting most of the production of his last record, 2000's Freedom Is . . ., with Dave Way, Doe brought Way back into the fold on Dim Stars, along with co-producer Joe Henry. Also along for the ride is a first rate set of session players, including guitarist Smokey Hormel (Beck) and drummer Joey Waronker (R.E.M., Elliott Smith) -- both of whom were in Doe's The John Doe Thing band -- as well as bassist Dave Pilch and pedal steel guitarist Ben Peeler (the Mavericks).

"It's a more acoustic record than the last two or three," Doe told Rolling Stone. "It's very much a late-night record. It's for after 2."

Doe will keep his plate full this year with a series of dates behind Dim Stars, Bright Sky, as well as performances with the Knitters and X.

ANDREW DANSBY
(May 20, 2002)