Ravenous (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
Ravenous is the score for the film of the same name
. It was written and performed by Damon Albarn
and Michael Nyman
(by agreement, Albarn credited first on the album and Nyman credited first on the film credits). The score was actually not a collaboration, according to Nyman: "Ravenous was a joint composition in the sense that Damon Albarn composed 60% of the tracks, and I did the rest." It features Nyman's first writing for banjo
since his 1981 self-titled album
.
The tracks known to be composed/arranged by Nyman include:
In addition, the tracks most recognizably in Nyman's (more classical) idiom include:
While the only tracks clearly known to be composed by Albarn are "Boyd's Journey" and "Colqhoun's Story" (confirmed on the aforementioned DVD commentary), the following tracks share similar rhythmic and electronic characteristics, based upon looped
samples
and distortions:
In addition, the long track, "The Cave," features many characteristics of Albarn's other tracks while also sampling a sting
from Nyman's rejected score to the film Practical Magic
. The End Credits track features alternate recordings of Boyd's Journey (Albarn) and Cannibal Fantasy (Nyman).
Individual pieces from the score have shown up in many different movies including:
, led by Jackie Shave, conducted by Michael Nyman
, "Boyd's Beauty pt. A", "Screech Jam" (based on "The Cave" and "Ives Returns"), and "The Pit." Due to the length of the album, this necessitated the omission of three tracks: "Ives Returns," "Manifest Destiny," and "End Credits."
* Additional production and mix by William Orbit
Ravenous
Ravenous is a 1999 horror film directed by Antonia Bird and starring Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle and Jeffrey Jones. The film revolves around cannibalism in 1840s California and some elements bear similarities to the story of the Donner Party and that of Alferd Packer...
. It was written and performed by Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
and Michael Nyman
Michael Nyman
Michael Laurence Nyman, CBE is an English composer of minimalist music, pianist, librettist and musicologist, known for the many film scores he wrote during his lengthy collaboration with the filmmaker Peter Greenaway, and his multi-platinum soundtrack album to Jane Campion's The Piano...
(by agreement, Albarn credited first on the album and Nyman credited first on the film credits). The score was actually not a collaboration, according to Nyman: "Ravenous was a joint composition in the sense that Damon Albarn composed 60% of the tracks, and I did the rest." It features Nyman's first writing for banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
since his 1981 self-titled album
Michael Nyman (1981 album)
Michael Nyman is the third album release by Michael Nyman and the second with the Michael Nyman Band, having previously contributed tracks to new music compilations...
.
The tracks known to be composed/arranged by Nyman include:
- Hail ColumbiaHail, Columbia"Hail, Columbia" is an American patriotic song. It was considered, with several other songs, one of the unofficial national anthems of the United States until 1931, when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially named the national anthem...
& Noises Off (actually pre-existing arrangements) and Welcome To Fort Spencer. These were written for and performed by Foster's Social Orchestra, a group of non-musician artists Nyman assembled under the inspiration of the Portsmouth SinfoniaPortsmouth SinfoniaThe Portsmouth Sinfonia was an orchestra founded by a group of students at the Portsmouth School of Art in Portsmouth, England, in 1970. The Sinfonia had an unusual entrance requirement, in that players had to either be non-musicians, or if a musician, play an instrument that was entirely new to...
. - Cannibal Fantasy (on the Ravenous DVD commentary, Albarn attributes Cannibal Fantasy to Nyman).
In addition, the tracks most recognizably in Nyman's (more classical) idiom include:
- The "Ives" tracks (i.e. Stranger At The Window, Ives Returns, and A Game Of Two Shoulders).
- Trek To The Cave.
- Checkmate.
- Ives Torments Boyd And Kills Knox.
While the only tracks clearly known to be composed by Albarn are "Boyd's Journey" and "Colqhoun's Story" (confirmed on the aforementioned DVD commentary), the following tracks share similar rhythmic and electronic characteristics, based upon looped
Music loop
In electroacoustic music, a loop is a repeating section of sound material. Short sections of material can be repeated to create ostinato patterns...
samples
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
and distortions:
- He Was Licking Me
- Let's Go Kill That Bastard
- The Pit
- Martha And The Horses
- Saveoursoulissa
- Manifest Destiny
In addition, the long track, "The Cave," features many characteristics of Albarn's other tracks while also sampling a sting
Sting (musical phrase)
A sting is a short musical phrase, primarily used in television shows and films as a form of punctuation—for example at the end of a scene, or as a dramatic climax is imminent...
from Nyman's rejected score to the film Practical Magic
Practical Magic
Practical Magic is a 1998 American fantasy film directed by Griffin Dunne and starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witches who carry on a family legacy of witchcraft and tragedy. The film is based on a book of the same name by Alice Hoffman...
. The End Credits track features alternate recordings of Boyd's Journey (Albarn) and Cannibal Fantasy (Nyman).
Individual pieces from the score have shown up in many different movies including:
- Opening sample of Saveoursoulissa in unaltered form in MagnoliaMagnolia (film)Magnolia is a 1999 American drama film written, produced, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, narrated by Ricky Jay, and starring Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, and Jason Robards in his last feature film appearance...
- Actually, the Magnolia score features the beginning of the main title track from P.T. Anderson's Hard EightHard Eight (film)Hard Eight is a 1996 American crime thriller film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson...
(1996 - also titled Sydney) by Michael Penn.
- Actually, the Magnolia score features the beginning of the main title track from P.T. Anderson's Hard Eight
- Manifest Destiny banjo riff in Hostel
Track listing
- Hail Columbia 2:42 (Philip PhilePhilip PhilePhilip Phile was an American composer and violinist. His year of birth is uncertain, but believed to be approximately 1734. His works include a lost Violin Concerto , but he is best known for " The President's March", written and performed at the inauguration of President George Washington.He died...
, arranged by Michael Nyman) - Boyd's Journey 3:02
- Welcome to Fort Spencer 1:41 (Stephen FosterStephen FosterStephen Collins Foster , known as the "father of American music", was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century...
, arranged by Michael Nyman) - Noises Off 1:54 (Stephen Foster, arranged by Michael Nyman)
- Stranger at the Window 1:48
- Colquhoun's Story 4:43
- Weendigo Myth 1:23 written and sung by Quiltman
- Trek to the Cave 4:24
- "He Was Licking Me" 1:41
- The Cave 8:01
- "Run!" 2:10
- "Let's Go Kill that Bastard" 3:51
- "The Pit" 4:37
- Ives Returns :49
- Cannibal Fantasy 2:13
- A Game of Two Shoulders 2:25
- Checkmate 2:17
- Martha and the Horses 3:14
- Ives Torments Boyd and Kills Knox 2:16
- Manifest Destiny 5:20
- Saveoursoulissa 8:40
- End Titles 5:01
Personnel
The Michael Nyman OrchestraMichael Nyman Orchestra
The Michael Nyman Orchestra is a group that expands on the Michael Nyman Band for specific album work, often for movie soundtracks.-History:...
, led by Jackie Shave, conducted by Michael Nyman
- Ben Paley, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
- Tab Hunter, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, jaw harp - Matt Goorney, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
- Bing Lyle, squeeze boxAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
- Tracks 3 & 4 performed by Foster's Social Orchestra
- Voices: Quiltman, Gail Turcotte; London VoicesLondon VoicesLondon Voices is a London-based choral ensemble led by Terry Edwards, who founded the ensemble in 1973...
- Orchestrations by Michael Nyman and Gary CarpenterGary CarpenterGary Carpenter is an animation director, comedy writer and creator of King Nutter - The site which monitors eBay items in the news.His animated series Celebrity High for Channel 4 / E4 / Talkback earned him finalist as Director of Best Comedy Series at the 2002 British Animation Awards.His most...
- Additional sequenced orchestrations by Damon Albarn
- Programming by Tom Girling and Robert WorbyRobert WorbyRobert Worby is a composer, sound artist, writer and broadcaster based in London.He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 3's Hear and NowTowards the end of the 70s he played guitar and tapes in a post-punk band called The Distributors...
- Engineered by Austin Ince and Tom Girling
- Mixed by Austin Ince, Tom Girling, and John Smith
- Assistant engineers: Nick Wollage and Matt PalmerMatt PalmerJonathan Matthew "Matt" Palmer is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed...
- Recorded at Air Lyndhurst, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and 1313 (Blur album)13 is the sixth album by English band Blur, released in March 1999. The album reached number one in the UK Albums Chart and number 80 in the US Billboard 200. 13 spawned three hit singles: "Tender", "Coffee & TV" and "No Distance Left to Run"...
, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... - Produced by Damon Albarn and Michael Nyman
- Design: Deborah Norcross
- Photography: David GambleDavid GambleDavid Gamble is a retired wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. He was signed by the Broncos in 1997, went on to win Super Bowl XXXII, however was released in 1998 to clear roster space.-Football career:...
- Management for Damon Albarn: Chris Morrison/Niamh Byrne fro CMO Management International Ltd
- Management for Michael Nyman: Elizabeth Lloyd for Michael Nyman Ltd. www.december.org/NYMAN
- Special thanks to Bunny Andrews, Fred Baron, Antonia BirdAntonia BirdAntonia Bird is an English television drama and feature film director.-Life and career:Bird was born in London. She began her career at the Royal Court Theatre before moving to television in the mid 1980s, directing episodes of EastEnders , Casualty , and drama serials like Thin Air and The Men's...
, Kim Bodner, Niamh Byrne, Geoff Bywater, Tom Cavanaugh, Terry Desling, Adam Fields, Ted Gagliano, Ellen Gisburg, Isobel Griffiths, Carla Hacken, David HeymanDavid HeymanDavid Jonathan Heyman is a British film producer and the founder of Heyday Films. He obtained the film rights to the Harry Potter series in 1999 and has produced all eight installments in the series of films.-Life and career:...
, Jill Konduros, Robert KraftRobert KraftRobert K. Kraft is an American business magnate. He is the Chairman and was the Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development and a private equity portfolio...
, Elizabeth Lloyd, Joy Maxwell Davies, Mary Jo Mennella, Cathy Merenda, Rebecca Morellato, Chris Morrison, Lisa OttoLisa OttoLisa Otto is a German operatic soprano, particularly associated with soubrette and light coloratura roles. She was born in Dresden....
, Derek Power, Amy Sturman, Dana Tramountanas, James Ware, Lisa Bauman Wasiak, Jonathan WatkinsJonathan WatkinsJonathan Watkins is an English curator, and is currently Director of the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham.Watkins emigrated to Australia with his family in 1969 and studied Philosophy and History of Art at the University of Sydney. He is the older brother of Philip Watkins, renowned artist and musician....
, Laura Ziffren, Laura ZiskinLaura ZiskinLaura Ellen Ziskin was an American film producer. In 1990, Ziskin was the sole executive producer of the hit comedy Pretty Woman...
- Music supervised for 20th Century Fox by Matt WalkerMatt WalkerMatt Walker may refer to:* Matt Walker , Canadian hockey player* Matt Walker , American drummer* Matt Walker , British Paralympian...
and Michael Knobloch. - Executive in charge of soundtracks for Virgin Records: Cynthia Sexton
British release
The British version of the soundtrack album features three tracks remixed by William OrbitWilliam Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
, "Boyd's Beauty pt. A", "Screech Jam" (based on "The Cave" and "Ives Returns"), and "The Pit." Due to the length of the album, this necessitated the omission of three tracks: "Ives Returns," "Manifest Destiny," and "End Credits."
Track listing
- Hail Columbia 2:42 (Philip PhilePhilip PhilePhilip Phile was an American composer and violinist. His year of birth is uncertain, but believed to be approximately 1734. His works include a lost Violin Concerto , but he is best known for " The President's March", written and performed at the inauguration of President George Washington.He died...
, arranged by Michael Nyman) - Boyd's Journey 3:02
- Welcome to Fort Spencer 1:41 (Stephen FosterStephen FosterStephen Collins Foster , known as the "father of American music", was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century...
, arranged by Michael Nyman) - Noises Off 1:54 (Stephen Foster, arranged by Michael Nyman)
- Stranger at the Window 1:48
- Colquhoun's Story 4:43
- Weendigo Myth 1:23 written and sung by Quiltman
- Trek to the Cave 4:24
- "He Was Licking Me" 1:41
- The Cave 8:01
- "Run!" 2:10
- "Let's Go Kill that Bastard" 3:51
- "The Pit" 4:37
- Cannibal Fantasy 2:13
- A Game of Two Shoulders 2:25
- Checkmate 2:17
- Martha and the Horses 3:14
- Ives Torments Boyd and Kills Knox 2:16
- Saveoursoulissa 8:38
- Boyd's Beauty pt.A* 4:21
- Screech Jam* 3:31
- The Pit* 4:40
Additional personnel for EMI release
William Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
- Recorded and mixed at Guerilla Studios
- Keyboards and tweaks by William Orbit and Damian LegassickDamian LeGassickDamian LeGassick is a British musician and producer. LeGassick trained at York University and has worked professionally in many diverse areas of the music business as a pianist, composer, producer, and lecturer. As a pianist, he specializes in late 20th century solo repertoire and chamber music...
- 'Protools' programming and engineering by Sean Spuehler
- Head of soundtracks for EMI Records: Vivian Baber