Music for Mark Ryden's "Blood" by Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun

For those unfamiliar with Ryden, he is the now notorious painter whose work is an obsessed amalgam of pop culture kitsch and surreal darkness, ... From bunnies carving meat, to little girls in repose waiting for something bad to happen with a look of cool, dead reserve, to pictures of longing where sorrow, hipster detachment, and dread all commingle, Ryden's work isn't for everyone but then neither is the composer's. Musically, Blood harks back to the work of the company named Acme Soundtracks that Ridgway created before he became Wall of Voodoo. It's spooky, striking, and deeply atmospheric but lush and melodic, all at the same time. Don't look for grimacing ambiences influenced by Brian Eno here; this is music that broods, sings, whispers, and slithers. There are lush moments of physical beauty followed always by deeper, more sinister emotions. Vocalist / composer Wexstun's wordless voices add so much to the Ridgway compositional method that they layer another dimension on to the tracks and give them a more melancholy or alternately ecstatic feel. For fans of Ridgway's Western noir songwriting, this will be a stretch, but it ought not to be; this is a soundtrack that is cohesive, compelling, and more than a little unsettling. Great!. Thom Jurek (All Muic Guide)

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http://www.markryden.com

http://www.stanridgway.com

http://www.pietrawexstun.com

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2/18/07

This is a limited run of just 1000 in a special Jewel Box Edition with full color NYC Lobbycard. Now you too can own this hypnotic and mesmerizing musical score - at an affordable price in compact jewelbox format while they last.

Also includes 5" x 8" full color NYC Lobbycard of "Baptism of Jajo" by Mark Ryden with every purchase.

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(The previous 3 panel fold out design Special Edition of 7500 (2003) is no longer available and has completely sold out from both this site and Porterhouse Fine Art Editions. This new Jewelbox release is limited to just 1000 pressings.)

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CD Contains the original musical score by Stan Ridgway (Wall of Voodoo) and Pietra Wexstun (Hecate’s Angels) for renowned artist Mark Ryden's Blood exhibition in New York City. Played at the NY opening at the Earl McGrath Gallery in 2003 during Mark Ryden's exhibit. The score was created solely

for the Blood Exhibit. This is a limited run of 1000 in a Jewel Box Edition. Again, the previous 3 panel Special Edition of 7500 is no longer available and has sold out.

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LISTENER'S SAY:

"There are some kinds of music that give you something unexpected. That was the feeling that I get with Music for Mark Ryden's "Blood". I'm a designer and painter, and every time I work a listen to this cd! It takes you to other places and inspires you. Do you want to fly? You got to buy this cd! The box is spectacular."

"The best CD I've purchased in a long time. So many beautiful textures and moods. Ridgway, an extraordinary stoyteller, along with Wexstn manage to communicate using music to firmly plant the listener into Mark Ryden's somewhat dark universe. Currently on our most-played-in-our-kitchen list. WOW.Instantly collectible."

"This delightful collection of dark and brooding melodies is great for setting a mood. It's the kind of music I love to listen to as I'm working, because it flows naturally and inspires creativity. The songs are each very unique, reminding me of dreams or nightmares I have had. The entire CD gives me a sense of timelessness - being taken to a new land of mystery and suspense. No matter how many times I listen to it, the stories my mind conjures are always fresh and intriguing. I love the faraway children's sounds, the bells, the creepiness. If my life was made into a horror movie, I would want to use this CD as the soundtrack."

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Here also, you can listen to audio samples and read more on this rare and one of a kind item by Mark Ryden, Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun. The "Blood CD Soundtrack". With special NYC Earl McGrath Galleries full color "Blood" Lobby Card included when you purchase. Only available here.

Read what more people have said about the music in this CD package...

"More than simple mood music. Otherworldly yet strangely familiar. Each track conjures up a different piece of some deep-seated remembrance. Most seem to be of childhood times or dreams long forgotten; a unique listening experience. The instrumentation and wordless vocals blend together seamlessly and the production is superb. Thank you Stan & Pietra... and Mark, for the inspiration!"

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A stunning 6" x 8" (full color on both sides) Mark Ryden "Blood" Lobbycard is included when you purchase here. This thick glossy "made to frame" card details and announces the opening night of "Mark Ryden Blood Show" in NYC at the Earl McGrath Galleries Sept. 2003. A despription below:

Full color, two sides 6" x 8". With Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun's composer's notes from the show and a simply steller reproduction of Mark Ryden's "JAJO'S BAPTISIM" on the front of the card. Perfect for framing.

Thanks you for coming. All hail art.

A440 RECORDS and http://www.stanridgway.com

Mark Ryden Upcoming in March 07: "The Tree Show":

http://www.markryden.com

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What people all around the world that have purchased and listened to this CD Soundtrack say:

"Beautifully scored with incredible depth. The music and Mark's art go hand in glove. An artistic relationship that really pays off."

"There are some kinds of music that give you something unexpected. That was the feeling that I get whit Music for Mark Ryden's "Blood". I'm a designer and painter, and every time I work a listen to this cd! It takes you to other places and inspires you. Do you want to fly? You got to buy this cd! The box is spectacular."

Be sure and read more reviews at the bottom of this page to find out how this one of kind item has made its way to creative people eveywhere in the world.

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Composed and Produced by Stan Ridgway (Wall Of Voodoo) and Pietra Wexstun (Hecate's Angels)

The Art work and Design of the cd and packaging is by Mark Ryden.

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From The Earl McGrath Gallery Exhibition Bio:

Mark Ryden - "BLOOD - Miniature Paintings Of Sorrow And Fear"

Sept. 18 thru Oct. 20

Earl Mcgrath Gallery, NYC

Music Score Installation and Performance Credits:

Stan Ridgway: 6 & 12 string guitars, harmonica, prophet 5,

samples,chamberlin

Pietra Wexstun: piano, organ, juno 106, mellotron, moog, samples, autoharp, voices

Lazlo Vickers: cello, violin, contra bass

Alvin Fike: brass and reeds

Recorded at Impala Digital, Venice, CA

Mastered by Bob Demaa - Spring 2003

Executive Producer: Sean P. Riley

Art Direction and Design by Mark Ryden & Brian Jackson

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Original Composer's Notes for "Blood" - on Working With Mark Ryden by Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun - Summer 2003

When contacted by our old friend and Wall Of Voodoo road buddy Mr. Sean Riley, (now an artist's agent) about writing music for Mr. Mark Ryden's "Blood Show" - Miniature Paintings of Sorrow and Fear", we were excited and honored to be asked. Having both been admirers of Mark's work for quite some time, fellow composer Pietra Wexstun and I both saw it alot like scoring a great film, but with one exception.

The so called sonic "action" would be an interior one and psychological; a meditative and transcendental approach....and hopefully more like an "aroma" of sound;

other than a music that would shout at you to listen to it, or get in the way. Ambient? Yes.

We both worked for a musical "soundtrack" that the listener would "feel" more than hear. A funtional and utilitarian device that would draw out the essential essence of the work and play low in the background, barely perceived by the viewer in the gallery.

The goal was to allow the mind to wander and imagine, and not intrude . Like a scented candle or a faint perfume. To function more as a series of shadows or distant echos, or a blurry reflection in a far away mirror.

A lot of music was written over time, and it was decided that certain pieces would be assigned to certain paintings that seemed to compliment a deeper experience with the music. At the same time, other pieces started to mix with these, and full program of sound took shape.

Although the musical pieces here are named, numbered and indexed, some for paintings and some not.; the music is really meant to start anywhere one might enter, and hopefully resemble the experience of walking into the gallery and viewing Mark's wonderful and extremely evocative work. We hope you enjoy "listening" to it as much as we enjoyed writing it.

Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun

Los Angeles / summer 2003

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THE MUSICAL SOUNDTRACK FOR "BLOOD"

The composers' intent for MARK RYDEN'S "BLOOD: Miniature Paintings of Sorrow and Fear" was to create music that would allow the mind to wander and imagine. Music entering a space like a scented candle or a faint perfume, an "aroma". Functioning more as a series of shadows or distant echoes. Like a dark and blurry reflection in a faraway mirror.

Stan Ridgway and Pietra Wexstun / summer 2003

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http://www.markryden.com/

MARK RYDEN was born on January 20, 1963 in Medford, Oregon, but grew up in Southern California.He received a B.F.A. in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,California.

Mark's paintings instantly trigger a warped deja vu. His work recalls a parallel universe of 1950s Golden Books and the whimsy of Lewis Carroll. His cheery bunnies, rendered in the glowing hues of children's books, are likely to be carving slabs of meat rather than frolicking in the forest. Ryden's

work mingles superb technique with outre images to create a world of strange and disturbing beauty. "At once intriguing and unsettling, baffling and enchanting, [Ryden's] works ... are subtle amalgams of many sources and influences as wide-ranging as Psychedelic and Vienna School artists Neon Park and Ernst Fuchs, to classical French formalists Ingres and David."

--Rick Gilbert-Panik

Mark was part of a very creative family. His father, Keith, made his living painting, restoring, and customizing cars. Mark's mother, Barbara, while dedicated her life to raising her 5 children, was always busy with a creative project and encouraged her children in the pursuit of art. Mark's older

brother KRK, an underground artist notorious in the counter culture, gave Mark an early introduction to art.

Mark's paintings are treasured by collectors from Australia to Sweden. A few of his clients include Stephen King, Leonardo DiCaprio, Patrick Leonard, Ringo Starr, Danny Elfman, Kirk Hammett, Paul Leary, Chris Carter, Don Was, Kidada Jones, Bridget Fonda, Henry Selik and the famous anti-mogul Long Gone John.

Currently, Mark paints high atop a magic castle in Pasadena, California. You can find him late at night in his studio among his many trinkets, statues, skeletons, saints, and old toys that he collects for inspiration.

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http://www.stanridgway.com/

STAN RIDGWAY's musical career began in the late seventies as part of a soundtrack company to create music for low-budget horror films. From the ashes, Wall Of Voodoo was born, and with Ridgway as lead voice, released an EP, two albums, and the 1983 hit single "Mexican Radio". Upon leaving, he embarked on a solo career that has included collaborations

with drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police on the film "Rumblefish" dir. by Francis Ford Coppola, other independent film soundtracks, as well as producing other artists, (most recently Frank Black and The Catholics new release "Show Me Your Tears" (2003), in addition to numerous solo recordings "The Big Heat", "Mosquitos", "Holiday In Dirt", "Anatomy" etc. Ridgway's newest cds are "Snakebite"(2005) and Stan Ridgway and Drywall - "Barbeque Babylon"(2006).

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http://www.hecatesangels.com

PIETRA WEXSTUN has composed music for "Nice Ladies In Cages," a collection of paintings by Christi Ava (Santa Barbara Museum of Art) , "Visuadelia," a sound and light installation by Barry Fahr (Barnsdale Gallery), and "Something about Summer," a performance piece by

magician Jim Piper (L.A. County Museum of Art ). Wexstun has recordedand performed with songwriter Stan Ridgway for over 20 years. Together they formed the electro-experimental combo Drywall, producing both an album, "Work the Dumb Oracle" and a short film "The Drywall Incident." Her band Hecate's Angels has issued two CD's, "Hidden Persuader" and

"Saints and Scoundrels" and has provided music for several independent films and T.V. commercials.

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For more info:

http://www.markryden.com

http://www.stanridgway.com

http://www.pietrawexstun.com

Average Customer Review: 5