"All of these songwriteres come from a base of honesty and have inspired me in my own work. Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Patti Smith, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Eddie Vedder have introduced me to concepts and characters in their songs that have found their way into my acting and have given life to characters I've written. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Suzanne Vega, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Michelle Shocked all have inspired me with their compassion and unique strength. And Johnny Cash...well, are there words? I'll try. Johnny Cash has been there. He knows the world of this movie. In his music, he stands up front for the dispossessed, the poor, the prisoner. Like all great songwriters on this CD, he's here forever, to remind us that we have hearts, we have compassion even for those that have fallen, that have hit bottom."

Columbia Records is set to release an extraordinary album of music from Tim Robbins' new film, Dead Man Walking, which boasts major recording artists performing new songs inspired by, and written directly for, the film. A companion piece to the film, the album features twelve songs, each carefully composed to reflect specific scenes and characters in the film.

Included on the album are such prestigious artists as Bruce Springsteen (who won an Oscar last year for his title song for Philadelphia), Johnny Cash, Suzanne Vega, Lyle Lovett, Eddie Vedder with Pakistan's premiere recording artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Tom Waits, Michelle Shocked, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Steve Earle, and Patti Smith.

The film, which stars Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 29, with a wider release beginning January 19. The album arrives in stores January 9.

Included on the album of music from, and inspired by, Dead Man Walking are:

• Bruce Springsteen, "Dead Man Walkin'"
• Johnny Cash, "In Your Mind," produced by Ry Cooder
• Suzanne Vega, "Woman On The Tier (I'll See You Through)"
• Lyle Lovett, "Promises"
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Eddie Vedder, "The Face of Love"
• Tom Waits, "The Fall of Troy"
• Michelle Shocked, "Quality of Mercy"
• Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Dead Man Walking (A Dream Like This)"
• Tom Waits, "Walk Away"
• Steve Earle, "Ellis Unit One"
• Patti Smith, "Walkin Blind"
• Eddie Vedder with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, "The Long Road"

Inspired by true events, Dead Man Walking is the story of a spiritual woman who embarks on a dangerous journey with a convicted killer, and the profound changes it makes in her life. This gripping tale was written, produced, and directed by Tim Robbins, who made his directing debut with Bob Roberts.

Gramercy Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment presents a Working Title/Havoc Production of a Tim Robbins film, Dead Man Walking, starring Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, and Robert Prosky. The film was written and directed by Tim Robbins, based on the book "Dead Man Walking" by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. It was executive-produced by Tim Belvan and Eric Fellner, and produced by Jon Kilik, Tim Robbins, and Rudd Simmons.

All sound clips: 22Khz, 8-bit, mono, .wav format

1. Bruce Springsteen - "Dead Man Walkin'" wav audio (683k)

2. Johnny Cash - "In Your Mind" wav audio (761k)

3. Suzanne Vega - "Woman on the Tier (I'll See You Through)"

4. Lyle Lovett - "Promises" wav audio (800k)

5. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Eddie Vedder - "The Face of Love"

6. Tom Waits - "The Fall of Troy"

7. Michelle Shocked - "Quality of Mercy" wav audio (780k)

8. Mary Chapin Carpenter - "Dead Man Walking (A Dream Like This)" wav audio (897k)

9. Tom Waits - "Walk Away"

10. Steve Earle - "Ellis Unit One"

11. Patti Smith - "Walkin Blind"

12. Eddie Vedder with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - "The Long Road"

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