The String Quartet Tribute to Elliott Smith
Encyclopedia
The String Quartet Tribute to Elliott Smith is a classically-themed tribute album to the singer-songwriter Elliott Smith
led by a rotating lineup of string quartet
s featuring violin
, viola
and cello
. It is part of an ongoing series of string quartet tribute albums released by Vitamin Records
. It was released in 2004, a year after Smith's death.
The cover art mimics that of Smith's 2000 album Figure 8
, combined with photographs of the Elliott Smith memorial wall in Los Angeles
, California
. Three songs on this album are taken from Figure 8, the final album he released before his death — namely "Easy Way Out", "Somebody That I Used to Know" and "Happiness
". Smith's debut solo album, Roman Candle
, is represented by "No Name #3"; "Needle in the Hay
" is taken from his second, self-titled album; Either/Or
, Smith's third album, features the most, with "Angeles", "Speed Trials", "Say Yes" and "Between the Bars"; XO
, the fourth album from Smith, is represented by "Amity" and "Waltz #2" (actually titled "Waltz #2 (XO)" on the original). Finally, "Miss Misery
", which was written for the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting
, is also included.
The liner notes, located on the back cover, were written by Buddy Humberston.
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
led by a rotating lineup of string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
s featuring violin
Violin
The 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....
, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
. It is part of an ongoing series of string quartet tribute albums released by Vitamin Records
Vitamin Records
Vitamin Records is a Los Angeles based record label founded in 1999 as a subsidiary of CMH Records. The label is home to the Vitamin String Quartet, who are best known for performing string quartet tributes to popular rock and metal acts such as Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Radiohead...
. It was released in 2004, a year after Smith's death.
The cover art mimics that of Smith's 2000 album Figure 8
Figure 8 (album)
Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
, combined with photographs of the Elliott Smith memorial wall in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Three songs on this album are taken from Figure 8, the final album he released before his death — namely "Easy Way Out", "Somebody That I Used to Know" and "Happiness
Happiness (Elliott Smith song)
"Happiness" is a song written by Elliott Smith which was first released as a single in 1999.-Versions:A slightly different mix of the song was released on his album Figure 8 in 2000....
". Smith's debut solo album, Roman Candle
Roman Candle (album)
Roman Candle was Elliott Smith's debut album as a solo artist, even though he was still a singer and guitarist for the band Heatmiser. The album has a raw, homemade sound , with Smith playing each instrument and recording it on his four-track recorder. Kid Tulsa played snare and cymbal on tracks...
, is represented by "No Name #3"; "Needle in the Hay
Needle in the Hay
"Needle in the Hay" is a song written by Elliott Smith first released as the opening track on his self-titled second release, Elliott Smith, then released on 7" vinyl. It later appeared in Wes Anderson's 2001 film, The Royal Tenenbaums, and can be found on the movie's soundtrack.Trumpet and...
" is taken from his second, self-titled album; Either/Or
Either/Or (album)
Either/Or is the name of the third album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The album was released on Kill Rock Stars on February 25, 1997 on compact disc and vinyl LP....
, Smith's third album, features the most, with "Angeles", "Speed Trials", "Say Yes" and "Between the Bars"; XO
XO (album)
XO is the name of the fourth album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Smith's first work on a major label, it was released by DreamWorks Records on August 25, 1998. Bong Load Custom Records released it on vinyl LP, which has since gone out of print. Vinyl copies of XO remained...
, the fourth album from Smith, is represented by "Amity" and "Waltz #2" (actually titled "Waltz #2 (XO)" on the original). Finally, "Miss Misery
Miss Misery (song)
"Miss Misery" is a song by singer-songwriter Elliott Smith who wrote both the music and lyrics. Featured in the closing credits and the soundtrack of the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, the song was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards...
", which was written for the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting is a 1997 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård...
, is also included.
The liner notes, located on the back cover, were written by Buddy Humberston.
Track listing
- "Angeles"
- "Needle in the Hay"
- "Miss MiseryMiss Misery (song)"Miss Misery" is a song by singer-songwriter Elliott Smith who wrote both the music and lyrics. Featured in the closing credits and the soundtrack of the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, the song was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards...
" - "No Name #3"
- "Easy Way Out"
- "Speed Trials"
- "Amity"
- "Somebody That I Used to Know"
- "Waltz #2"
- "Say YesSay Yes (Elliott Smith song)"Say Yes" is the final track of Elliott Smith's 1997 album Either/Or, and one of three tracks from Either/Or that was used in the soundtrack of Good Will Hunting."Say Yes" is one of Smith's widely recognized songs...
" - "Between the Bars"
- "Happiness"
Personnel
- Tom Vos: violin
- J'Anna Jacoby: violin
- Tom Tally: viola
- John Krovoza: cello
- Noah Agruss: producer, arranger