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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = So-Lo
| name = So-Lo
| type = Album
| type = Album
| artist = [[Danny Elfman]]
| artist = [[Danny Elfman]]
| cover = Solo_Danny_Elfman_album_art.jpg
| cover = Solo_Danny_Elfman_album_art.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = November 11, 1984
| released = November 1984
| recorded = April 1983; July 1984
| recorded = April 1983; July 1984
| venue =
| venue =
| studio = Ground Control ([[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]])
| studio = Ground Control ([[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]])
| genre = [[New wave music|New wave]], [[synth-pop]], [[ska]]
| genre = *[[New wave music|New wave]]
*[[synth-pop]]
*[[ska]]
| length = 38:34
| length = 38:34
| label = [[MCA Records|MCA]]
| label = [[MCA Records|MCA]]
| producer = [[Danny Elfman]]<br>[[Steve Bartek]]<br>Paul Ratajczak
| producer = [[Danny Elfman]], [[Steve Bartek]], Paul Ratajczak
| chronology = [[Danny Elfman]]
| chronology = [[Danny Elfman]]
| prev_title =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Big Mess (Danny Elfman album)|Big Mess]]
| next_title = [[Big Mess (Danny Elfman album)|Big Mess]]
| next_year = 2021
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Oingo Boingo]]
| artist = [[Oingo Boingo]]
| type = studio
| type = studio
Line 31: Line 33:
| name = So-Lo
| name = So-Lo
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = Gratitude
| single1 = Gratitude / Tough As Nails
| single1date = 1984
| single1date = 1984
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''So-Lo''''' is the debut studio album by American musician [[Danny Elfman]], released in 1984 by [[MCA Records]]. Recorded primarily by Elfman,<ref name=Willman>{{cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=1985-01-03 |title=Oingo Boingo's Elfman Tries a 'So-Lo' Album |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-03-ca-11341-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en |access-date=2019-07-28}}</ref> but also featuring the members of his band, [[Oingo Boingo]], it was recorded when Elfman was offered a solo contract with MCA after the band had been dropped from [[I.R.S. Records]].<ref name="RichardBlade">{{cite web |last1=Bartek |first1=Steve |title=Richard Blade interviews Oingo Boingo Former Members |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RyhYOLaiAA&t=2533s&ab_channel=RichardBlade |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3RyhYOLaiAA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=Richard Blade |time=42m 13s |date=October 18, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The album marked the band's last release to feature bassist Kerry Hatch and keyboardist [[Richard Gibbs]].
'''''So-Lo''''' is the debut studio [[synth-pop]] album by American musician [[Danny Elfman]] and the fourth studo album by Elfman's band, [[Oingo Bingo]], released in 1984 by [[MCA Records]]. While it was released as a solo record, it is generally attributed to Elfman's band [[Oingo Boingo]], of which he was the frontman and sole songwriter. The album marked the band's first release with MCA records after leaving [[I.R.S. Records]]. This was the final Oingo Bingo album to feature co-founder/keyboardist [[Richard Gibbs]] (a.k.a. "Ribbs") who left to become a film and television composer.


==Production==
==Background==
⚫
''So-Lo'' was produced during a hiatus for Oingo Boingo, following the departure of Hatch and Gibbs. Elfman described the album as "a chance to experiment with slower tempos"<ref>[http://www.bluntinstrument.org.uk/elfman/archive/Denver86.htm ''The Elfman Zone - Denver Post Article 1986]</ref> and added that "it was fun to do some ballads and try to snap out of that image that a lot of people have of me just writing real fast (...) tunes."<ref name=Willman/>
''So-Lo'' features notably more electronic production than previous albums released by Oingo Boingo, but with prominent electric guitar by [[Steve Bartek]].


⚫
While much of the instrumentation features synth programming from Elfman, Oingo Boingo's remaining members all performed on the album,<ref name=Willman/> with [[Flea (musician)|Flea]] of the then-recently formed [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] providing "additional bass guitar". The track "Lightning" had been recorded in 1983 for ''[[Good For Your Soul]]''{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} while Hatch and Gibbs were still with the band.
⚫
The album was produced during a hiatus for Oingo Boingo, following the departure of bassist Kerry Hatch and keyboardist [[Richard Gibbs]]. Elfman described ''So-Lo'' as "a chance to experiment with slower tempos"<ref>[http://www.bluntinstrument.org.uk/elfman/archive/Denver86.htm ''The Elfman Zone - Denver Post Article 1986]</ref> and added "it was fun to do some ballads and try to snap out of that image that a lot of people have of me just writing real fast (...) tunes."<ref>{{cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=1985-01-03 |title=Oingo Boingo's Elfman Tries a 'So-Lo' Album |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-03-ca-11341-story.html |language=en |access-date=2019-07-28}}</ref>


⚫
Despite rumors at the time of the band breaking up, Elfman later stated that ''So-Lo'' was "not made out of frustration" and that he was more committed to the group than ever before.<ref name=Willman/> However, a 1987 article published in ''[[BAM (magazine)|BAM]]'' magazine, in which Elfman was interviewed about the band's past, suggested that Oingo Boingo had in fact considered disbanding in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=5 May 1987 |title=Oingo Boingo's Difficult Teenage Years |magazine=[[BAM (magazine)|BAM]]}}</ref>
⚫
Oingo Boingo's remaining members returned as session musicians and all feature on the record, with [[Flea (musician)|Flea]] of the then-recently formed [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] providing additional bass guitar. The track "Lightning" had been recorded in 1983 for ''[[Good For Your Soul]]'' while Hatch and Gibbs were still with the band, hence they are also credited on the album.


In 2020, Oingo Boingo guitarist [[Steve Bartek]] stated that ''So-Lo'' was "mostly a band record", but that MCA "wasn't particularly interested" in Oingo Boingo and so had signed Elfman as a solo artist. However, Elfman wanted to continue the band and convinced MCA to change his recording contract to Oingo Boingo following the release of ''So-Lo''.<ref name="RichardBlade"/>
⚫
Despite rumors at the time of the band breaking up, Elfman later stated that ''So-Lo'' was "not made out of frustration" and that he was more committed to the group than ever before.<ref>{{cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=1985-01-03 |title=Oingo Boingo's Elfman Tries a 'So-Lo' Album |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-03-ca-11341-story.html |language=en |access-date=2019-07-28}}</ref> A 1987 article published in ''[[BAM (magazine)|BAM]]'' magazine, in which Elfman was interviewed about the band's past, suggested that Oingo Boingo had in fact considered disbanding in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=5 May 1987 |title=Oingo Boingo's Difficult Teenage Years |magazine=BAM Magazine }}</ref>

In 2020, Steve Bartek explained that MCA had signed Danny Elfman on a solo contract and "weren't interested" in Oingo Boingo. However, Elfman wanted to continue the band and managed to persuade MCA to change the contract following the release of ''So-Lo''.<ref name="RichardBlade">{{cite web |last1=Bartek |first1=Steve |title=Richard Blade interviews Oingo Boingo Former Members |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RyhYOLaiAA |website=YouTube |publisher=Richard Blade |access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
Line 63: Line 63:
The 12-inch single release for "Gratitude" used a shorter 4:42 mix, parenthetically named the "Short Version", and the accompanying music video featured an even shorter 4:08 edit. Confusingly, CD releases erroneously titled the 5:12 album mix as the "Short Version", while later vinyl reissues replaced the album mix with the 12-inch "Short Version".
The 12-inch single release for "Gratitude" used a shorter 4:42 mix, parenthetically named the "Short Version", and the accompanying music video featured an even shorter 4:08 edit. Confusingly, CD releases erroneously titled the 5:12 album mix as the "Short Version", while later vinyl reissues replaced the album mix with the 12-inch "Short Version".


In 2014, ''So-Lo'' was reissued on CD by [[Varèse Sarabande]], with one bonus track.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2014/12/11/danny-elfman-so-lo-reissue-oingo-boingo |title=Danny Elfman's 'So-Lo' album reissued on CD after more than a decade out of print |website=[[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, a remaster was issued by Rubellan Remasters as an expanded edition CD with five bonus tracks, as well as a colored vinyl LP.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Duquette |first1=Mike |title=Rubellan Puts Flesh N' Blood Into Next Wave of Oingo Boingo Reissues on CD, Vinyl (UPDATED PRE-ORDER LINKS) |url=https://theseconddisc.com/2022/11/04/rubellan-puts-flesh-n-blood-into-next-wave-of-oingo-boingo-reissues-on-cd-vinyl-updated-pre-order-links |website=The Second Disc |date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022}}</ref>
In 2014, [[Varèse Sarabande]] reissued the album on CD with the 4:08 video edit of "Gratitude" included as a bonus track, parenthetically labelled "Single Edit" and erroneously billed as the "Special version of the song from the ''Beverly Hills Cop'' soundtrack".


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 100: Line 100:
| note10 = <small>Video Edit</small>
| note10 = <small>Video Edit</small>
| length10 = 4:08
| length10 = 4:08
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = 2022 CD bonus tracks
| title10 = Gratitude (Original Version)
| length10 = 5:05
| title11 = Gratitude (Extended Dance Version)
| length11 = 6:44
| title12 = Gratitude (Single Version)
| length12 = 4:04
| title13 = Gratitude (Tornado Version)
| length13 = 7:02
| title14 = Gratitude (Short Version)
| length14 = 4:47
}}
}}


Line 127: Line 141:
* [[Aaron Rapoport]] – photography
* [[Aaron Rapoport]] – photography


== Notes ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Danny Elfman}}
{{Boingo}}
{{Boingo}}


Latest revision as of 04:18, 8 November 2024

So-Lo
Studio album by
Danny Elfman
ReleasedNovember 1984
RecordedApril 1983; July 1984
StudioGround Control (Santa Monica)
Genre
Length38:34
LabelMCA
ProducerDanny Elfman, Steve Bartek, Paul Ratajczak
Danny Elfman chronology
So-Lo
(1984) 		Big Mess
(2021)
Oingo Boingo chronology
Good for Your Soul
(1983) 		So-Lo
(1984) 		Dead Man's Party
(1985)
Singles from So-Lo
  1. "Gratitude / Tough As Nails"
    Released: 1984

So-Lo is the debut studio album by American musician Danny Elfman, released in 1984 by MCA Records. Recorded primarily by Elfman,[1] but also featuring the members of his band, Oingo Boingo, it was recorded when Elfman was offered a solo contract with MCA after the band had been dropped from I.R.S. Records.[2] The album marked the band's last release to feature bassist Kerry Hatch and keyboardist Richard Gibbs.

Background

[edit]

So-Lo was produced during a hiatus for Oingo Boingo, following the departure of Hatch and Gibbs. Elfman described the album as "a chance to experiment with slower tempos"[3] and added that "it was fun to do some ballads and try to snap out of that image that a lot of people have of me just writing real fast (...) tunes."[1]

While much of the instrumentation features synth programming from Elfman, Oingo Boingo's remaining members all performed on the album,[1] with Flea of the then-recently formed Red Hot Chili Peppers providing "additional bass guitar". The track "Lightning" had been recorded in 1983 for Good For Your Soul[citation needed] while Hatch and Gibbs were still with the band.

Despite rumors at the time of the band breaking up, Elfman later stated that So-Lo was "not made out of frustration" and that he was more committed to the group than ever before.[1] However, a 1987 article published in BAM magazine, in which Elfman was interviewed about the band's past, suggested that Oingo Boingo had in fact considered disbanding in 1984.[4]

In 2020, Oingo Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek stated that So-Lo was "mostly a band record", but that MCA "wasn't particularly interested" in Oingo Boingo and so had signed Elfman as a solo artist. However, Elfman wanted to continue the band and convinced MCA to change his recording contract to Oingo Boingo following the release of So-Lo.[2]

Release

[edit]

Original vinyl and cassette releases contained an alternate, earlier mix of the opening song, "Gratitude". Among other differences, this 5:04 mix included a spoken verse cut from all other versions; this was also the version used on the soundtrack to the film Beverly Hills Cop (1984).[5] The original CD release contained the full 5:12 album mix.

The missing verse is as follows:

I used to eat people like you for breakfast
I used to fly, high up in the sky
I used to chew up rocks and spit out gravel
I had a heart as cold as ice

This verse was retained for live performances of the song, sometimes with slightly different lyrics,[6][7] and was also featured on the re-recording of the song for Boingo Alive in 1988.

The 12-inch single release for "Gratitude" used a shorter 4:42 mix, parenthetically named the "Short Version", and the accompanying music video featured an even shorter 4:08 edit. Confusingly, CD releases erroneously titled the 5:12 album mix as the "Short Version", while later vinyl reissues replaced the album mix with the 12-inch "Short Version".

In 2014, So-Lo was reissued on CD by Varèse Sarabande, with one bonus track.[8] In 2022, a remaster was issued by Rubellan Remasters as an expanded edition CD with five bonus tracks, as well as a colored vinyl LP.[9]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Danny Elfman

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Gratitude" (5:04 early vinyl & cassette; 4:42 "Short Version" on later issues)5:12
2."Cool City"3:26
3."Go Away"4:00
4."Sucker for Mystery"5:15
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."It Only Makes Me Laugh"4:03
2."The Last Time"4:07
3."Tough as Nails"4:35
4."Lightning"3:44
5."Everybody Needs"3:50
Total length:38:34
2014 CD bonus track
No.TitleLength
10."Gratitude (Single Edit)" (Video Edit)4:08
2022 CD bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
10."Gratitude (Original Version)"5:05
11."Gratitude (Extended Dance Version)"6:44
12."Gratitude (Single Version)"4:04
13."Gratitude (Tornado Version)"7:02
14."Gratitude (Short Version)"4:47

Personnel

[edit]

"The Cast"

Additional musician

  • The liner notes on some versions (including the 2014 CD reissue) list "Special Thanx" to "Michael Flea for his extra bass work."

Technical

  • Steve Bartek – co-producer, arrangements
  • Danny Elfman – co-producer, arrangements
  • Paul Ratajczak – co-producer, engineer
  • Spozzi the "Spazz" – assistant engineer
  • Laura Engel – production assistant
  • Greg Fulginiti – mastering
  • Georganne Deen – art direction, illustration
  • Aaron Rapoport – photography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Willman, Chris (1985-01-03). "Oingo Boingo's Elfman Tries a 'So-Lo' Album". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  2. ^ a b Bartek, Steve (October 18, 2020). "Richard Blade interviews Oingo Boingo Former Members". YouTube. Richard Blade. Event occurs at 42m 13s. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  3. ^ The Elfman Zone - Denver Post Article 1986
  4. ^ Darling, Cary (5 May 1987). "Oingo Boingo's Difficult Teenage Years". BAM.
  5. ^ Beverly Hills Cop I 07. Danny Elfman - Gratitude
  6. ^ Oingo Boingo - Gratitude - Universal Amphitheatre 1993.01.16
  7. ^ Boingo at The Palace-Gratitude
  8. ^ "Danny Elfman's 'So-Lo' album reissued on CD after more than a decade out of print". Slicing Up Eyeballs. December 11, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  9. ^ Duquette, Mike (November 4, 2022). "Rubellan Puts Flesh N' Blood Into Next Wave of Oingo Boingo Reissues on CD, Vinyl (UPDATED PRE-ORDER LINKS)". The Second Disc. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
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