Ray [Original Motion Picture Score]

by Craig Armstrong

Overview

Scottish composer/producer Craig Armstrong may not have been the most obvious choice to provide the original score for Universal's biopic of Ray Charles, but his work with Baz Luhrmann on Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet showed a flair for melding contemporary and classical themes with sometimes dizzying results. Unfortunately, when your subject is one of the world's most revered musical figures, it's unlikely anyone will pay attention to any music other than his, and Armstrong's attempts to fuse gospel, electronic, and orchestra, while quietly ambitious, just don't manage to evoke Charles' mischievous grace. At its best, Armstrong's atmospheric score provides a dramatic bridge between Ray and his songs, allowing the viewer/listener a peek into the legend's life that feels genuinely personal. However, much of that atmosphere feels contrived and overly familiar, resulting in a piece that as a whole could be juxtaposed over a particularly affecting X-Files episode with similar results. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	12/07/2004
Label:	Bristol Bay Productio / Rhino
UPC:	0081227848026

Tracks

1. Ray, film score~Ray's Theme
2. Ray, film score~Della's Theme
3. Ray, film score~Ray Learns To Listen
4. Ray, film score~Dreams Of Ray 1
5. Ray, film score~Remember Your Promise
6. Ray, film score~Water In The Hallway
7. Ray, film score~Ray's Theme/Piano
8. Ray, film score~George Drowns
9. Ray, film score~First Hit
10. Ray, film score~Ray And Della
11. Ray, film score~Ray Sings To Della
12. Ray, film score~Dreams Of Ray 2
13. Ray, film score~Ray Leaves Della Behind
14. Ray, film score~Heroin In Bed
15. Ray, film score~Della Kisses Her Baby
16. Ray, film score~Places You Don't Wanna Go
17. Ray, film score~Ray Leaves Mother
18. Ray, film score~Arrested
19. Ray, film score~Alone In The Dark
20. Ray, film score~Dreams Of Ray 3
21. Ray, film score~Marge's Death
22. Ray, film score~Rehab
23. Ray, film score~Redemption
24. Ray, film score~Ray's Hymn
25. Ray, film score~Ray's Hymn Quintet
26. Ray, film score~End Credits

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Craig Armstrong   Primary Artist,Soloist,Piano
Metro Voices   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Simon Chamberlain   Piano,Soloist
Gavyn Wright   Orchestra Leader
Billie Godfrey   Vocals
Cecilia Weston   Conductor

Technical Credits

David Donaldson   Audio Engineer,Audio Production,Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Taylor Hackford   Audio Production,Producer
Craig Armstrong   Audio Production,Producer,Liner Notes,Orchestration,Choir Arrangement,Composer,Arranger,Mixing
Jake Jackson   Assistant
Geoff Foster   Mixing,Assistant,Recording
Hugh Brown   Art Direction
Kathy Nelson   Music Executive,Executive in Charge of Music
Matt Dunkley   Orchestration
Emma Ford   Music Coordinator,Assistant
Isobel Griffiths   Orchestra Contractor,Contractor
Gavyn Wright   Leader
Olga Fitzroy   Assistant
Emile Ford & the Checkmates   Assistant,Coordination
Scott Fraser   Remixing
Jeff Lyons   Package Design
Curt Sobel   Supervisor,Music Editor
Renzo Mazzolini   Photography