The tour coincides with the September 3 release of Dave Stewart’s new album, The Ringmaster General, recorded and mixed in Nashville at Blackbird Studio. Featuring duets with Alison Krauss, Diane Birch and Joss Stone, the album also includes a duet sung and written by Jessie Baylin.
Evidently Stewart enjoys working with Stone. The two artists worked on a supergroup project appropriately called “SuperHeavy” that also included Mick Jagger, Damian Marley and composer A.R. Rahman.
Musicians backing Stewart on The Ringmaster General include guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, Michael Rhodes on bass, steel guitarist Dan Dugmore and Mike Rojas on piano. Aussie guitar wiz, Orianthi also appears on the album.
Stewart’s four-day U.K. journey begins is his hometown of Sunderland at the Empire Theatre Sept. 3. Other stops are Birmingham at Symphony Hall Sept. 4 and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall Sept. 5 before closing in London at Shepherds Bush Empire Sept. 7.
Meanwhile, over here in The Colonies, Stewart will do a few dates with Sugarland – Memphis at FedEx Forum Aug. 24; Oklahoma City at the Zoo Amphitheatre Aug. 25 and Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium Aug. 26.
For more information about Stewart’s U.K. tour, please visit DaveStewart.com.