Cast of Thousands
Encyclopedia
Cast of Thousands is the second album by British rock band Elbow
, released on 18 August 2003 in the UK and on 27 January 2004 in the US by V2 Records
. The album title refers to the song "Grace Under Pressure", whose refrain
was recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival
in 2002, as sung by the audience during the band's set. Participants were then invited to register their names at the Elbow website, with all responders gaining a 'credit' on the album sleeve. The US version of the album contains two additional songs: "Whisper Grass" (which was a B-side to first single "Fallen Angel") and "Lay Down Your Cross" (a B-side to third single "Not a Job"). The Japanese version includes "Whisper Grass" and "Brave New Shave" (another "Fallen Angel" B-side) as bonus tracks.
A companion film was also produced in conjunction with the album's release. It features footage set to all 11 tracks on the UK version of the album, as well as the music videos for the singles "Fallen Angel" and "Fugitive Motel". In the UK the film was released on DVD, whereas in the US it was released as an enhanced video bonus disc with the album.
near Mansfield
, but were removed by police following reported "alien" sightings by passing drivers. Following the conclusion of the promotional activities for the record, the models were auctioned for charity.
Japanese version bonus tracks:
Disc one:
As the standard album release in each country (11 tracks in UK, 13 tracks in US)
Disc two:
(released as a DVD in UK, and as an enhanced CD-ROM in US)
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
, released on 18 August 2003 in the UK and on 27 January 2004 in the US by V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
. The album title refers to the song "Grace Under Pressure", whose refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
was recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 2002, as sung by the audience during the band's set. Participants were then invited to register their names at the Elbow website, with all responders gaining a 'credit' on the album sleeve. The US version of the album contains two additional songs: "Whisper Grass" (which was a B-side to first single "Fallen Angel") and "Lay Down Your Cross" (a B-side to third single "Not a Job"). The Japanese version includes "Whisper Grass" and "Brave New Shave" (another "Fallen Angel" B-side) as bonus tracks.
A companion film was also produced in conjunction with the album's release. It features footage set to all 11 tracks on the UK version of the album, as well as the music videos for the singles "Fallen Angel" and "Fugitive Motel". In the UK the film was released on DVD, whereas in the US it was released as an enhanced video bonus disc with the album.
Album cover
The two characters on the album cover were 10 feet (3 m) tall female and male polystyrene figures, named "Elle" and "Bo", which were originally placed by the side of the M1 motorwayM1 motorway
The M1 is a north–south motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where it joins the A1 near Aberford. While the M1 is considered to be the first inter-urban motorway to be completed in the United Kingdom, the first road to be built to motorway standard in the country was the...
near Mansfield
Mansfield
Mansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
, but were removed by police following reported "alien" sightings by passing drivers. Following the conclusion of the promotional activities for the record, the models were auctioned for charity.
UK version
- "Snooks (Progress Report)" takes its name from blind blues singer and guitarist Snooks EaglinSnooks EaglinSnooks Eaglin, born Fird Eaglin, Jr. , was a New Orleans-based guitarist and singer. He was also referred to as Blind Snooks Eaglin in his early years....
Japanese version bonus tracks:
US version
Cast of Thousands film version
(released 3 November 2003 in UK, 27 January 2004 in US):Disc one:
As the standard album release in each country (11 tracks in UK, 13 tracks in US)
Disc two:
(released as a DVD in UK, and as an enhanced CD-ROM in US)
Singles
In the UK, there were four singles released from the album:- "Ribcage" was released as an online track in May 2003 but was never a full single.
- "Fallen Angel" (August 4, 2003)
- "Fugitive Motel" (October 27, 2003)
- "Not a Job" (February 23, 2004)
- "Grace Under Pressure"/"Switching Off" EP (July 12, 2004)
Additional musicians
- Additional vocals on "Ribcage" - The London Community Gospel ChoirLondon Community Gospel ChoirThe London Community Gospel Choir is a successful gospel choir located in the United Kingdom.-History:The London Community Gospel Choir was founded in 1982 by the Reverend Bazil Meade with the assistance of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis.Initially the idea was for a single concert...
- Strings on "Fugitive Motel" and "Crawling with Idiot" (arranged by Ian Burdge):
- Ian Burdge, Chris Worsey - cello
- Stephen Bussey, Catherine Browning, Everton Nelson, Maya Bickel, Alison Dods, Gillon Cameron, Giles Broadbent & Sally Herbert - violins
- Additional vocals on "Grace Under Pressure" - The London Community Gospel Choir, Jimi GoodwinJimi GoodwinJimi Goodwin is the bassist, vocalist and guitarist for Doves. Before their incarnation as Doves, the three members were a dance-club music trio called Sub Sub....
, AlfieAlfie (band)Alfie were an English indie rock band from Manchester. They were originally signed to Twisted Nerve Records before moving to EMI sub-label Regal Zonophone Records.-Twisted Nerve years :...
, Marcus Garvey, Beckie Garvey, Gina Garvey, Cathy DaveyCathy DaveyCathy Davey is an Irish singer-songwriter. She has released one extended play, "Come Over" , and three albums, Something Ilk , Tales of Silversleeve and The Nameless...
& the crowd at GlastonburyGlastonbury FestivalThe Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
2002 (Marcus, Beckie and Gina Garvey are singer Guy Garvey's brother and sisters)