Ghost World [SOUNDTRACK]

David Kitay (Composer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 14, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B00005NC02
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,357 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
As he did with Crumb, director Terry Zwigoff has created a soundtrack as eclectic and riveting as his movie subjects. The sounds of early jazz and blues play a crucial role in the events of Ghost World, and the music heard here is some of the best ever recorded. Skip James's classic "Devil Got My Woman" from 1931 may be the best-known work on this soundtrack, but it hardly steals the show. Three tracks from weird but riveting jazz-meets-calypso bandleader Lionel Belasco are included; the 70-year-old recordings are so original, they sound timeless. The same praise can be stated of film opener "Jaan Pehechaan Ho," a Bollywood rarity that has elements of surf music, funk, and garage rock. Of course, we also have to hear "Graduation Rap" and Blueshammer's "Pickin' Cotton Blues," two intentionally bad contemporary tracks that make the characters in the movie (and anyone listening to this soundtrack) feel out of place in today's pop culture. Zwigoff wisely fills out the disc with tracks from his personal 78 record collection, a mix of '20s and '30s string band and blues tunes that are seldom found in compilations (including great cuts by the Dallas String Band, Joe Calicott, and McGee Bros). The haunting "Theme from Ghost World," composed by David Kitay, finishes off this disc, perfectly capturing all the bittersweet moods found in the film. Recommended. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great mix of songs but...., April 6, 2002

By	"p-seu-do-nym340" - See all my reviews

Watching Ghost World, I was impressed with the obscure, cool songs used as the movie's score. It added another dimension to an already rich, offbeat movie. I have one question, though... WHERE IS "WHAT DO I GET" by THE BUZZCOCKS??? In case you don't know the song, it's the one Enid was listening to when dying her hair green, going for a vintage 1977 punk look. The Buzzcocks are classic british punk and should have been featured on the soundtrack. Other than that slight deficiency, this is a good all around album, the highlights being the vintage blues and Indian Rockabilly tracks.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible movie with a wonderful soundtrack!, February 13, 2002

By	FloozyFlapper1926 (Somewhere in the 20's) - See all my reviews

Right after I finished watching the film, I knew I had to rush out and get the soundtrack. This is one of those cd's you get that you will never get bored with. Trust me. I haven't stopped playing it on a regular basis. My only complaint is the addition of the "Graduation Song" but its only a slight annoyance when you compare the greatness of this cd as a whole. This is one that has introduced me to a whole new world of music especially the old blues, ragtime and jazz found on here. Once I brought this home, turned on "Devil in My Woman" by Skip James, I got goosebumps listening to it, this soulful eerie music I had never heard before yet moved me like nothing else. Its a truly incredible song. And of course, I'm now seeking out more music like this. And basically the whole thing is just perfect from beginning to end. The theme song from Ghost World is incredible.

This cd is brilliance. As one from the MTV generation longing to find music that transcends the mediocre stuff out there today, this soundtrack is a breath of fresh air. One of my all-time favorite soundtracks. Wonderful!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strange pop-a-Go-Go, October 17, 2001

By	Scott Raymond "cadmium blue" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Holy obscurity Batman! Why didn't we know about this stuff before?
If you've seen the film, then you know the 1st track on the disc. Just having "Jaan Pehechan Ho" from the 1966 Bollywood thriller wanna-be "Gumnaam" is worth the price of the whole cd. (I did just buy the DVD, worth it if you like old Bollywood) But wait, there's more!
Most of the rest of the disc digs into director Terry Zwigoff's real-life collection of obscure roots rag-time and blues oriented 78's.
Although I could live without the obnoxious second track, the "Hi-Skool Grad Rap", the whole disc is pretty much such a refreshing relief when compared to most contemporary music. No sophisticated compressed sound, no artificially flavored angst, just people playing music made well before marketing directors devolved.
Painfully absent from the disc is Enid's childhood song "Smile and a Ribbon" by 50's short-timers Patience and Prudence. Just have to wait for the DVD release, but don't let that stop you from getting this disc.From the sick-o but incredibly catchy honky song "C-H-I-C-K-E-N Spells Chicken" to the deeply moody and haunting cuts by Lionel Belasco to jumpin' rag-time, you'll amaze your friends (especially the naive ones) that you're cool enough to know about music like this.
I play this disc at least once a day, sandwiched in between Orbital and They Might Be Giants.