The Top of His Head (soundtrack)

Infobox Album
Name = The Top of His Head
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = Fred Frith


Background = orange
Released = 1989
Recorded = Canada, 1988
Genre = Avant-progressive rock
Length = 51:29
Label = Crammed (Belgium)
Producer = Fred Frith
Reviews =
*"Allmusic" Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4au67u5080ja link]
*Piero Scaruffi (5/10) [http://www.scaruffi.com/vol3/frith.html link] | Last album = "The Technology of Tears"
(1988)
This album = "The Top of His Head"
(1989)
Next album = "Step Across the Border"
(1990)

"The Top of His Head" is a soundtrack by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith, of the 1989 Canadian comedy-drama film, "The Top of His Head". Frith wrote and composed all the music, with the exception of "This Old Earth", which was written and sung by Jane Siberry, and a cover of "The Way You Look Tonight". The music was recorded at l'Office National du Film, Montreal, Canada in August and September 1988, and was released on LP and CD in 1989 by the Belgian independent label, Crammed Discs. The CD release contained two extra tracks, "Driving to the Train" and "Lucy".

"Allmusic" described the album as "A less aggressive work compared to [Frith's] other releases, though not exactly gentle by any means." cite web |url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?P=amg&sql=10:4au67u5080ja |title="The Top of His Head" |work=AllMusic.com |first=Ted |last=Mills |accessdate=2006-12-08 ]

Siberry's song, "This Old Earth", was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1990 Genie Awards. A rerecorded version, retitled "Something About Trains", also appeared on her 1989 album "Bound by the Beauty".

Track listing

#"TitleTheme" (Frith) – 1:49
#"Driving to the Train" (Frith) – 2:45 *
#"Wheels Within" (Frith) – 2:31
#"Hold on Hold" (Frith) – 2:22
#"Lucy Leaves a Note" (Frith) – 2:25
#"Gus Escapes" (Frith) – 2:19
#"Gravity's a Rule" (Frith) – 2:15
#"Channel Change" (Frith) – 3:20
#"Orbit" (Frith) – 1:24
#"Fall to Call" (Frith) – 3:52
#"Underwater Dream" (Frith) – 2:29
#"This Old Earth" (Siberry) – 3:21
#"Donuts" (Frith) – 2:54
#"The Long Drive" (Frith) – 4:51
#"Lucy" (Frith) – 2:05 *
#"The Premonition" (Frith) – 1:26
#"Questions and Answers" (Frith) – 2:47
#"The Performance" (Frith) – 2:56
#"The Way You Look Tonight" (Kern, Fields) / "Title Theme (Conclusion)" (Frith) – 3:38* These tracks were omitted from the LP release.

Personnel

*Fred Frith – all other instruments, machines, radios, tapes, programming
*Anne Bourne – cello, accordion
*Jean Derome – saxophones
*Jane Siberry – voice, guitar, accordion
*Christie Macfadyen – voice
*Ken Myhr – slide guitar ("This Old Earth")
*Peter Mettler – additional tapes, influence, advice

References

External links

*amg | id = 10:4au67u5080ja | label = The Top of His Head
* [http://home.arcor.de/nyds-exp-discogs/frith.htm Fred Frith discography]