Pitchfork

Unlike his Broken Social Scene bandmate Kevin Drew, Jason Collett doesn't cede the marquee when promoting his records. This is a Jason Collett LP, understand-- but that doesn't mean some friends haven't joined in its making.

Recorded in Toronto with producer Howie Beck, Here's to Being Here sports guest turns from Apostle of Hustle's Andrew Whiteman (also of BSS), Liam O'Neil of the Stills, and New York jazz scene staple Tony Scherr, among others. The LP follows fairly close on the heels of last year's fine Idols of Exile set, boasting what a press release calls a "tasteful", "old school" guitar sound via "the energy and musicianship" of Collett's touring band, Paso Mino.

North Americans, Here's to Being Here will be at your local record shop February 5 from Arts & Crafts.

In addition to a regular old tour schedule (including several dates with pal Leslie Feist), Collett will perform a special series of gigs dubbed "Jason Collett's Basement Revue" the first three Tuesdays in December at Toronto's Dakota Tavern. Jason will play songs both old and new with some assistance from "special surprise guests." Given this guy's address book, that could literally be anybody.

Here's to Being Here:

01 Roll on Oblivion
02 Sorry Lori
03 Out of Time
04 Papercut Hearts
05 Henry's Song
06 Charlyn, Angel of Kensington
07 No Redemption Song
08 Through the Night These Days
09 Nothing to Lose
10 Not Over You
11 Somehow
12 Waiting for the World

Collett tour:

11-10 Ottawa, Ontario - Algonquin Room
11-14 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre *
11-16 Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre *
11-17 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre *
11-18 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center *
11-20 Louisville, KY - W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre *
11-24 Halifax, Nova Scotia - The Music Room
12-04 Toronto, Ontario - The Dakota Tavern (Jason Collett's Basement Revue)
12-11 Toronto, Ontario - The Dakota Tavern (Jason Collett's Basement Revue)
12-14 Kingston, Ontario - The Grad Club
12-18 Toronto, Ontario - The Dakota Tavern (Jason Collett's Basement Revue)

* with Feist