Escala (album)
Encyclopedia
Escala is the self-titled debut album by British Quartet Escala
, who appeared on the ITV
talent contest Britain's Got Talent
. It was released on 25 May 2009 in the United Kingdom.
on 23 September 2008. The album release was pushed back numerous times, to 1 June 2009. Then the album's release was brought forward by one week to 25 May 2009.
and recorded mainly at Sarm West London. Parts of "Kashmir" recorded at Sarm West Coast, Los Angeles
, and the orchestra for the album was recorded at Angel Studios
, London.
", which is a re-orchestrated version of "Lux Aeterna" from the 2000 film, Requiem for a Dream. The piece will be familiar to viewers of Britain's Got Talent, as it is frequently used on the show. Another group's version of the piece is used by Sky Sports
for their News
, for whom Escala had been included as a part of an advertising campaign with the second track on the album, "Palladio", a version of "Palladio I, Allegretto" from Karl Jenkins
' Diamond Music
. It was performed by the group when they were on Britain's Got Talent. The third track is the Led Zeppelin
cover, "Kashmir
", and features guitarist Slash of hard rock bands Guns n' Roses
and Velvet Revolver
. In 2009 Escala returned to Britain's Got Talent to perform their version of "Kashmir" un-competitively on the second live semi-final.
The fourth track is "Finding Beauty", originally composed by Scot Craig Armstrong
for his As If to Nothing
album. The fifth track is a mellow cover of the popular Robert Miles
dance track "Children
". The sixth track is Wings
cover, "Live and Let Die
", it was performed by the group when they were on Britain's Got Talent. The seventh track is a cover of film composer Ennio Morricone
's "Chi Mai
". The eighth track is "Feeling Good
", which was originally written by Anthony Newley
and Leslie Bricusse
for their 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd
. The ninth track is a rendition of George Frideric Handel
's "Sarabande". The tenth track is "Clubbed to Death", which was originally from Rob Dougan
's debut album Furious Angels
. The album ends with a traditional style version Samuel Barber
's "Adagio for Strings
".
The album features four songs which fellow British quartet Bond
had recorded in a similar style: "Adagio for Strings", "Kashmir", "Palladio", and "Children" (which Bond
performed under the title "Homecoming") on their Shine
, Remixed
and Classified
albums.
Many Bond
enthusiasts claimed Escala were mimicking the contemporary style of Bond
which currently have substantial holding in the classical musical industry. Escala rebuked the claims. The Guardian newspaper in the UK stated, "a would be classical hit however the covers are endless [...] a lack of new original material".
According to media reports a cover of Snow Patrol
's "Chasing Cars
" was originally meant to appear on the album, but did not end up on the final release.
(31 May) and number 49 in the Republic of Ireland (28 May).
"Palladio" also made #39 in the UK Singles Chart (31 May), and #49 in Ireland (28 May).
Escala (group)
Escala is an electronic string quartet, from London, England who rose to fame when they performed on and reached the final of the second series of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 in May 2008.- Background :...
, who appeared on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
talent contest Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
. It was released on 25 May 2009 in the United Kingdom.
Release
Escala revealed their debut album to an audience of about 400 media at Whitehall Palace, LondonLondon
London 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...
on 23 September 2008. The album release was pushed back numerous times, to 1 June 2009. Then the album's release was brought forward by one week to 25 May 2009.
Recording
The album was produced by Trevor HornTrevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
and recorded mainly at Sarm West London. Parts of "Kashmir" recorded at Sarm West Coast, 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...
, and the orchestra for the album was recorded at Angel Studios
Angel Studios
Angel Studios is a commercial recording studio located on the corner of Upper Street and Gaskin Street Islington, London, England.The three-studio complex is in The Angel, a renovated United Reform Church. Some internal features of the church remain in the studio, such as the original Victorian...
, London.
Album analysis
The album begins with "Requiem for a TowerRequiem for a Tower
"Requiem for a Tower" is a version of Clint Mansell's Lux Æterna/Requiem For A Dream, re-orchestrated with a choir and full orchestra for a The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers theatrical trailer...
", which is a re-orchestrated version of "Lux Aeterna" from the 2000 film, Requiem for a Dream. The piece will be familiar to viewers of Britain's Got Talent, as it is frequently used on the show. Another group's version of the piece is used by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
for their News
Sky Sports News
Sky Sports News is a 24-hour sports news channel in the United Kingdom. It is run by BSkyB whose sports channels include Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as Sky Sports HD1, HD2, HD3 and HD4....
, for whom Escala had been included as a part of an advertising campaign with the second track on the album, "Palladio", a version of "Palladio I, Allegretto" from Karl Jenkins
Karl Jenkins
-Other works:*Adiemus: Live — live versions of Adiemus music*Palladio *Eloise *Imagined Oceans *The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace...
' Diamond Music
Diamond Music
Diamond Music is a 1996 album by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.Perhaps one of Jenkins most recognized works is the first movement of the "Palladio" suite, inspired by 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio and in the style of a concerto grosso...
. It was performed by the group when they were on Britain's Got Talent. The third track is the Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
cover, "Kashmir
Kashmir (song)
"Kashmir" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973.-Overview:The song centres around a signature chord progression...
", and features guitarist Slash of hard rock bands Guns n' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
. In 2009 Escala returned to Britain's Got Talent to perform their version of "Kashmir" un-competitively on the second live semi-final.
The fourth track is "Finding Beauty", originally composed by Scot Craig Armstrong
Craig Armstrong
Craig Armstrong, OBE is a Scottish composer of modern orchestral music, electronica and film scores.Armstrong's score for William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet earned him a BAFTA for Achievement in Film Music and an Ivor Novello...
for his As If to Nothing
As If to Nothing
As If to Nothing is the second independent album by Scottish composer Craig Armstrong, featuring collaborations with Bono of U2, Mogwai, Photek, Evan Dando, King Crimson, and former Big Dish vocalist Steven Lindsay...
album. The fifth track is a mellow cover of the popular Robert Miles
Robert Miles
Robert Miles is an Italian record producer, composer, musician and DJ in electronica and alternative music.-Biography:...
dance track "Children
Children (song)
"Children" is a single by electronica composer Robert Miles from his album Dreamland. "Children" is Miles' most successful single, being certified Gold and Platinum in several countries and it reaching #1 in more than 12 countries...
". The sixth track is Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
cover, "Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (song)
"Live and Let Die" is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die and was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings for the movie soundtrack and appears on the soundtrack album. The song was one of Wings' most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point...
", it was performed by the group when they were on Britain's Got Talent. The seventh track is a cover of film composer Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone, Grand Officer OMRI, , is an Italian composer and conductor, who wrote music to more than 500 motion pictures and television series, in a career lasting over 50 years. His scores have been included in over 20 award-winning films as well as several symphonic and choral pieces...
's "Chi Mai
Ennio Morricone discography
This is a discography of film score composer and conductor Ennio Morricone. He composed and arranged scores for more than 500 film and television productions. Morricone is considered as one of the most influential and best-selling film composers since the late 1950s...
". The eighth track is "Feeling Good
Feeling Good
"Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Cy Grant, who sang the original version of the song...
", which was originally written by Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
and Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
for their 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd
The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd
The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The musical is best known for producing the standards "Who Can I Turn To?" and "Feeling Good." The show title is a transposition of the phrase "the smell of the...
. The ninth track is a rendition of George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
's "Sarabande". The tenth track is "Clubbed to Death", which was originally from Rob Dougan
Rob Dougan
Rob Dougan, also known as Rob D , is a genre-blending music composer. Mixing elements of orchestral music, trip hop, and bluesy vocals, his work is tangentially relatable to electronic music. He was known primarily for his breakthrough 1995 single "Clubbed to Death ", further popularised by 1999's...
's debut album Furious Angels
Furious Angels
Furious Angels is the debut album by Rob Dougan, released in June 2002 in the United Kingdom and in July 2003 in the United States and Europe...
. The album ends with a traditional style version Samuel Barber
Samuel Barber
Samuel Osborne Barber II was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. His Adagio for Strings is his most popular composition and widely considered a masterpiece of modern classical music...
's "Adagio for Strings
Adagio for Strings
Adagio for Strings is a work by Samuel Barber, arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11. Barber finished the arrangement in 1936, the same year as he wrote the quartet...
".
The album features four songs which fellow British quartet Bond
Bond (band)
Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music...
had recorded in a similar style: "Adagio for Strings", "Kashmir", "Palladio", and "Children" (which Bond
Bond (band)
Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music...
performed under the title "Homecoming") on their Shine
Shine (Bond album)
Shine is the second album released by the classical crossover string quartet Bond. It went Gold in six countries and it also spent five consecutive weeks in the US Classical Crossover charts. Bond have described it as an "ethnic" album....
, Remixed
Remixed (Bond album)
Remixed is the third album released by the classical crossover string quartet bond.-Japanese edition:#"Victory" #"Viva!" #"Wintersun" #"Speed"...
and Classified
Classified (bond album)
Classified is the fourth album released through Decca Records by the classical crossover string quartet Bond.Classified was very popular worldwide. It was especially popular in Australia, going double platinum. "Explosive" was also picked to be the Australian theme for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games...
albums.
Many Bond
Bond (band)
Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music...
enthusiasts claimed Escala were mimicking the contemporary style of Bond
Bond (band)
Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music...
which currently have substantial holding in the classical musical industry. Escala rebuked the claims. The Guardian newspaper in the UK stated, "a would be classical hit however the covers are endless [...] a lack of new original material".
According to media reports a cover of Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
's "Chasing Cars
Chasing Cars
"Chasing Cars" is the second single from Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open. It was recorded in 2005 and released on 6 June 2006 in the US and 24 July 2006 in the UK as the album's second single....
" was originally meant to appear on the album, but did not end up on the final release.
Track listing
- "Requiem for a TowerRequiem for a Tower"Requiem for a Tower" is a version of Clint Mansell's Lux Æterna/Requiem For A Dream, re-orchestrated with a choir and full orchestra for a The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers theatrical trailer...
" (Clinton Mansell) - 1:59 - "Palladio" (Karl JenkinsKarl Jenkins-Other works:*Adiemus: Live — live versions of Adiemus music*Palladio *Eloise *Imagined Oceans *The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace...
) - 3:55 - "KashmirKashmir (song)"Kashmir" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973.-Overview:The song centres around a signature chord progression...
" (featuring Slash) (Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
/ Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
/ John BonhamJohn BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
) - 3:25 - "Finding BeautyAs If to NothingAs If to Nothing is the second independent album by Scottish composer Craig Armstrong, featuring collaborations with Bono of U2, Mogwai, Photek, Evan Dando, King Crimson, and former Big Dish vocalist Steven Lindsay...
" (Craig ArmstrongCraig ArmstrongCraig Armstrong, OBE is a Scottish composer of modern orchestral music, electronica and film scores.Armstrong's score for William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet earned him a BAFTA for Achievement in Film Music and an Ivor Novello...
) - 3:21 - "ChildrenChildren (song)"Children" is a single by electronica composer Robert Miles from his album Dreamland. "Children" is Miles' most successful single, being certified Gold and Platinum in several countries and it reaching #1 in more than 12 countries...
" (Roberto Concina) - 4:28 - "Live and Let DieLive and Let Die (song)"Live and Let Die" is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die and was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings for the movie soundtrack and appears on the soundtrack album. The song was one of Wings' most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point...
" (Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
/ Linda McCartneyLinda McCartneyLinda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
) - 2:55 - "Chi MaiChi Mai"Chi Mai" is a composition by Ennio Morricone that was used in the films, Maddalena and Le Professionnel , as well as the TV series, An Englishman's Castle and The Life and Times of David Lloyd George...
" (Ennio MorriconeEnnio MorriconeEnnio Morricone, Grand Officer OMRI, , is an Italian composer and conductor, who wrote music to more than 500 motion pictures and television series, in a career lasting over 50 years. His scores have been included in over 20 award-winning films as well as several symphonic and choral pieces...
) - 3:40 - "Feeling GoodFeeling Good"Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Cy Grant, who sang the original version of the song...
" (Anthony NewleyAnthony NewleyAnthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
/ Leslie BricusseLeslie BricusseLeslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
) - 4:02 - "Sarabande" (HandelHANDELHANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
) - 2:38 - "Clubbed to DeathClubbed to Death (song)Clubbed to Death is a 1995 song by Rob Dougan. It was given renewed attention in 1999 due to its inclusion in the film The Matrix. It was re-released as a single in 2002 with new remixes.-Release:...
" (Rob DouganRob DouganRob Dougan, also known as Rob D , is a genre-blending music composer. Mixing elements of orchestral music, trip hop, and bluesy vocals, his work is tangentially relatable to electronic music. He was known primarily for his breakthrough 1995 single "Clubbed to Death ", further popularised by 1999's...
) - 4:56 - "Adagio for StringsAdagio for StringsAdagio for Strings is a work by Samuel Barber, arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11. Barber finished the arrangement in 1936, the same year as he wrote the quartet...
" (Samuel BarberSamuel BarberSamuel Osborne Barber II was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. His Adagio for Strings is his most popular composition and widely considered a masterpiece of modern classical music...
) - 4:16
Charts
The album reached number 2 on the UK Albums ChartUK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
(31 May) and number 49 in the Republic of Ireland (28 May).
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Chart | 2 |
| Irish Album Chart | 10 |
"Palladio" also made #39 in the UK Singles Chart (31 May), and #49 in Ireland (28 May).
Personnel
- Trevor HornTrevor HornTrevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
- producer, guitar, programming, piano, bass - Tim WeidnerTim WeidnerTim Weidner is an engineer and producer, best known for his work with Trevor Horn. He produced Yes's album Magnification and for Dead or Alive. He also did a Surround Sound mix for a DVD-A re-release of Yes's Fragile. He has done mixing for artists including Seal, Art of Noise and Captain. He has...
- recording engineer, mixer, programming - Gary LanganGary LanganGary Langan is an audio engineer and record producer.-Biography:In 1983, Langan co-founded the ZTT Records label with Trevor Horn, Paul Morley and Jill Sinclair...
- recording engineer - Sam Farr - assistant engineer
- Graham Archer - assistant engineer, programming
- Smit - assistant engineer
- Mark Lewis - Pro ToolsPro ToolsPro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
engineer - Ash SoanAsh SoanAshley "Ash" Soan is a British drummer. His influences include Steve Ferrone, Jim Keltner, James Gadson, Phil Rudd, Art Blakey and Jeff Porcaro.-Career:...
- drums, percussion - Pete Murray - programming, arranger, conductor, piano, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer
- Isobel Griffiths - orchestral contractor and fixer
- Perry Montague-Mason - orchestra leader
- Magnus Johnstone - assistant of string production
- Thomas Carroll - Cello
- Fiona Winning - Viola
- Robert Orton (Hit Mixer) - mixer
- Chris Elliot - arranger, piano, harpsichord
- Earl HarvinEarl HarvinEarl Harvin is a drummer, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist from the New York area who has lived in Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles and is now residing in Berlin, Germany....
- drums - Jason PerryJason PerryJason Perry is a record producer, song writer, and lead vocalist of the Suffolk based band ’A’. He has an identical twin brother, Adam, and a younger brother, Giles, both of whom are also members of the band...
- drum ideas - Jamie MuhoberacJamie MuhoberacJamie Muhoberac is a session keyboardist with numerous credits, including The All-American Rejects, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones , Backstreet Boys, Aly & AJ, Bob Dylan, Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Cornell , My Chemical Romance, Paradise Lost, Girlfriend, Carmen Rizzo and Pet Shop Boys...
- guitar samples - Jenny O'Grady - choirmaster
- Metro Singers - choir
- Jeremy Wheatley - mixer
- Steve Robson - mixer
- Richard Edgeler - assistant mixer
- Simon HaleSimon Hale-Life:Hale was born in Birmingham, England in 1964, being dually raised there and in South Manchester before moving to London, where he studied performance and composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London between 1982-85...
- arranger - Steve MacMillan - recording engineer
- Slash - lead guitar
- John ShanksJohn ShanksJohn Matthew Shanks is a modern rock writer and Grammy Award–winning producer.Born in New York City, Shanks moved to Los Angeles when he was 17....
- guitar - Jeff Rothschild - drums
- Tom NorrisTom Norris (musician)Tom Norris is an English musician, composer, ensemble leader and songwriter who plays classical violin with the London Symphony Orchestra and also manages a solo pop music career.-Life:...
- violin - Everton Nelson - orchestra leader
- Phil PalmerPhil PalmerPhilip 'Phil' John Palmer is a sideman and session guitarist in jazz and rock who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous famous artists...
- guitar - Steve Lipson - guitar
- Lol CremeLol CrèmeLol Creme is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings, plays guitar and keyboards.-Biography:...
- guitar - Ian Thomas - drums
External links
- Official website
- Escala at Amazon.co.uk