Alanis Morissette logged some time in a Los Angeles recording studio last week, cutting vocal tracks for an album called "The Prayer Cycle" featuring material by composer/producer Jonathan Elias. The album is scheduled to include a variety of artists laying down chants and foreign language vocals over orchestral movements written by Elias -- in effect, the composer's first symphony.

Morissette had originally been scheduled to appear on only one track, but she was apparently enthralled enough with the project that she recorded three more pieces during her session. Perry Farrell and Linda Ronstadt also appear on the record, as well as some of the last recorded performances of the late Nasrat Fateh Ali Khan. (One of the tracks featuring Morissette also includes Ronstadt and Ali Khan). Additionally, the record hosts a number of very well known world music performers.

"The Prayer Cycle" will be released on the Sony Classical label early next year. It's being co-produced by Elias and Walt Vincent, Fastball's former keyboard player.

Elias is best known for his production projects with Yes (most notably "Union") and Duran Duran, as well as a multitude of soundtrack and commercial work. His 1990 CD, "Requiem for the Americas - Songs from the Lost World" featured members of Yes and Duran Duran along with Michael Bolton, Susanna Hoffs, Grace Jones, Patti Scialfa, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, John Waite and a post-mortem Jim Morrison among others.

• Perry Farrell
• Alanis Morissette
• Linda Ronstadt