Whiskey for the Holy Ghost
Encyclopedia
Whiskey for the Holy Ghost is the second solo album by former Screaming Trees
vocalist Mark Lanegan
. The album builds upon the roots music
foundation that Lanegan had established with his debut The Winding Sheet
. Released during the grunge
explosion of the early 1990s, Whiskey for The Holy Ghost showcases Lanegan's growing maturity as a songwriter and vocalist.
The recording was reportedly a frustrating affair for Lanegan; at one point the singer had to be physically prevented from throwing the master tapes into a river by producer Jack Endino
. Despite the album's slow gestation and Lanegan's notorious substance abuse problems, the songs on Whiskey for The Holy Ghost sound remarkably cohesive. Lyrically, Lanegan continues to delve into the darker side of the human experience on songs like "Borracho" and the Biblical "Pendulum" ("Jesus Christ been here and gone, what a painful price to pay"). Other songs reveal a beautiful vulnerability, such as "The River Rise," "Carnival," and the stunning "Riding The Nightingale."
"House A Home" was released as a single with an accompanying video. "The River Rise" was used in the 1996 grunge
documentary Hype!
, where it accompanied a montage filmed at the vigil
following Kurt Cobain
's death.
Dan Peters
of Mudhoney
plays drums on "Borracho."
Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel had been replaced by Barrett Martin by the time the band reached its most successful period...
vocalist Mark Lanegan
Mark Lanegan
Mark Lanegan is an American rock musician and songwriter. Lanegan began his music career in the 1980s, forming the grunge group Screaming Trees with Gary Lee Conner, Van Conner and Mark Pickerel. During his time in the band Lanegan would start a low-key solo career...
. The album builds upon the roots music
Traditional music
Traditional music is the term increasingly used for folk music that is not contemporary folk music. More on this is at the terminology section of the World music article...
foundation that Lanegan had established with his debut The Winding Sheet
The Winding Sheet
The Winding Sheet is an album by American musician Mark Lanegan that was released in 1990. It was Lanegan's first solo work, and is notable in its departure from the characteristic sound of Screaming Trees, the band he fronted from 1985 until 2000...
. Released during the grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
explosion of the early 1990s, Whiskey for The Holy Ghost showcases Lanegan's growing maturity as a songwriter and vocalist.
The recording was reportedly a frustrating affair for Lanegan; at one point the singer had to be physically prevented from throwing the master tapes into a river by producer Jack Endino
Jack Endino
Jack Endino is a producer and musician based in Seattle. Long associated with Seattle label Sub Pop and the grunge movement, Endino worked on seminal albums from bands such as Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Nirvana...
. Despite the album's slow gestation and Lanegan's notorious substance abuse problems, the songs on Whiskey for The Holy Ghost sound remarkably cohesive. Lyrically, Lanegan continues to delve into the darker side of the human experience on songs like "Borracho" and the Biblical "Pendulum" ("Jesus Christ been here and gone, what a painful price to pay"). Other songs reveal a beautiful vulnerability, such as "The River Rise," "Carnival," and the stunning "Riding The Nightingale."
"House A Home" was released as a single with an accompanying video. "The River Rise" was used in the 1996 grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
documentary Hype!
Hype!
Hype! is a documentary directed by Doug Pray about the popularity of grunge rock in the early to mid-1990s United States. It incorporates interviews and rare concert footage to trace the steps of grunge, from its subversive inception in neighborhood basements, to its explosion as a pop culture...
, where it accompanied a montage filmed at the vigil
Vigil
A vigil is a period of purposeful sleeplessness, an occasion for devotional watching, or an observance...
following Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
's death.
Dan Peters
Dan Peters
Daniel Joe Peters is the drummer for Mudhoney. He joined Bundle of Hiss when he was fifteen years old. He also played drums for Nirvana, appearing on one single, "Sliver". Peters' only live appearance with Nirvana was on September 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, at the Motor Sports International...
of Mudhoney
Mudhoney
Mudhoney is an American alternative rock band. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Original bassist Matt Lukin left the...
plays drums on "Borracho."
Track listing
- "The River Rise" - 4:29
- "Borracho" - 5:40
- "House a Home" - 3:07
- "Kingdoms of Rain" - 3:24
- "Carnival" - 3:40
- "Riding the Nightingale" - 6:17
- "El Sol" - 3:42
- "Dead on You" - 3:11
- "Shooting Gallery" - 3:32
- "Sunrise" - 2:55
- "Pendulum" - 2:12
- "Judas Touch" - 1:37
- "Beggar's Blues" - 5:36
Personnel
- John Agnello - Engineer, mixing
- Krisha Augerot - Background vocals
- Sally Barry - Background vocals
- Ed Brooks - Engineer
- Frank Cody - Organ, piano
- Terry DateTerry DateTerry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
- Engineer - Tad Doyle - Drums
- Jack EndinoJack EndinoJack Endino is a producer and musician based in Seattle. Long associated with Seattle label Sub Pop and the grunge movement, Endino worked on seminal albums from bands such as Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Nirvana...
- Engineer - Kurt Fedora - Bass
- Mike JohnsonMike Johnson (bassist)Mike Johnson is an American songwriter and bass guitarist. He was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and played in Eugene, Oregon punk band Snakepit from 1984-1989. He replaced Lou Barlow in Dinosaur Jr in 1991 and played with the band live and on its recordings from 1991 to 1998. Concurrently he...
- Organ, guitar (acoustic), bass, harmonica, piano, guitar (electric), background vocals, producer, slide guitar - Dave Kreuger - Violin
- Mark LaneganMark LaneganMark Lanegan is an American rock musician and songwriter. Lanegan began his music career in the 1980s, forming the grunge group Screaming Trees with Gary Lee Conner, Van Conner and Mark Pickerel. During his time in the band Lanegan would start a low-key solo career...
- Vocals, guitar, producer - Bob LudwigBob LudwigBob Ludwig is an American mastering engineer.He is a well known and respected figure within the music industry. His name is credited on the covers of albums released across the world, and he has won numerous awards....
- Mastering - J MascisJ MascisJ Mascis is an American musician, best known as the singer, guitarist and songwriter for Dinosaur Jr.. In 2011, he was ranked in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.- Biography :...
- Drums - Dan PetersDan PetersDaniel Joe Peters is the drummer for Mudhoney. He joined Bundle of Hiss when he was fifteen years old. He also played drums for Nirvana, appearing on one single, "Sliver". Peters' only live appearance with Nirvana was on September 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, at the Motor Sports International...
- Drums - Mark PickerelMark PickerelMark Pickerel is best known as the original drummer for the Screaming Trees, a rock group from Ellensburg, WA, that formed in 1985. Other members of the band included the versatile singer Mark Lanegan and the Conner brothers...
- Drums - Mike Stinette - Saxophone
- Phil Sparks - Bowed bass, bass (Upright)
- Ted Trewhella - Piano
- Justin Williams - Organ