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The Color Purple (soundtrack)

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The Color Purple: Music From the Motion Picture
Soundtrack album by
Quincy Jones
Released1985[1]
Recorded1985 (unless otherwise noted)[2]
Length79:06
LabelQwest
Singles from The Color Purple
  1. "Miss Celie's Blues"
    Released: December 1985

The Color Purple: Music From the Motion Picture is the soundtrack album to the film of the same name released in 1985 by Qwest Records.[1] It consists of an original score composed by Quincy Jones and original songs performed by various artists.

The score of the film combines elements of classical and period jazz, blues, and gospel, and features several popular songs of the 1880s.

Critical reception and accolades

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

The soundtrack to the Color Purple garnered positive reviews from music critics. It was praised for its production and Táta Vega's vocal performance with Vega featured on four songs from the album. The song, "Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)", is sung by the character Shug Avery, played by Margaret Avery in the film but whose singing voice is dubbed by Vega.[3]

Music from the film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song. The soundtrack peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.[4]

Single

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"Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)" by Táta Vega was released as a single to support the album. It was composed in a blues/ragtime style.

Track listing

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Unless otherwise indicated, Information is taken from the Album's liner notes[2]

Disc 1

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  1. Overture - 7:56
    Orchestra Conducted by Tom Bahler
  2. Main Title - 2:00
    Composed by Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton and Joel Rosenbaum
    Orchestra Conducted by Joel Rosenbaum
  3. Celie Leaves With Mr. - 3:22
    Composed by Q. Jones and Jack Hayes
    Orchestra Conducted by Jack Hayes
  4. Corrine and Olivia - 3:06
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Rosenbaum
    Orchestra Conducted by Joel Rosenbaum
  5. Nettie Teaches Celie - 4:22
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Hayes, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Jack Hayes
  6. The Separation - 2:53
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Lubbock, R. Temperton and Jorge Calandrelli
    Orchestra Conducted by Dick Hazard
  7. Celie and Harpo Grow Up/Mr. Dresses To See Shug - 2:43
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Hayes, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Jack Hayes
  8. Careless Love - 0:56
    Traditional; Arranged by Sammy Nestico
    Vocals by Táta Vega
  9. Sophia Leaves Harpo - 2:39
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Nathan Scott
    Whistling by Steven Spielberg
  10. Celie Cooks Shug Breakfast - 1:24
    Composed by Q. Jones and Fred Steiner
    Orchestra Conducted by Fred Steiner
  11. Junk Bucket Blues - 1:48
    Composed by Porter Grainger
    Performed by Get Happy Band
    Recorded 1925[2]
  12. The Dirty Dozens - 3:13
    Written by J. Mayo Williams and Rufus Perryman
    Vocals by Táta Vega
  13. Miss Celie's Blues (Sister) - 2:29
    Written by Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and Rod Temperton
    Vocals by Táta Vega
  14. Don't Make Me No Never Mind - 3:05
    Written by Q. Jones, Roy Gaines and James Ingram
    Vocals by John Lee Hooker
  15. My Heart (Will Always Lead Me Back To You) - 1:38
    Composed by Lil Hardin Armstrong[2] and Louis Armstrong[5]
    Performed by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five
    Recorded 1925[5]
  16. Three On the Road - 0:25
    Composed by Q. Jones, R. Temperton and Lionel Richie
    Orchestra Conducted by Quincy Jones
  17. Bus Pulls Out - 0:51
    Composed by Q. Jones, R. Temperton and L. Richie
    Orchestra Conducted by Quincy Jones

Disc 2

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  1. The First Letter - 5:04
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Lubbock, R. Temperton, J. Rosenbaum and J. Calandrelli
    Orchestra Conducted by Dick Hazard
  2. Letter Search - 3:08
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Rosenbaum, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Joel Rosenbaum
  3. Nettie's Letters - 0:59
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Rosenbaum, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Joel Rosenbaum
  4. High Life/Proud Theme - 1:08
    Traditional; Arranged by Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock and Rod Temperton
    Recorder Solo by Ernie Watts
  5. J.B. King - 0:38
    Traditional
    Lead Caller Voice by David Thomas
  6. Heaven Belongs to You - 1:02
    Written by Sandra Crouch and Andraé Crouch
    Vocals by Christ Memorial Church Choir
    Choir Conducted by Andraé Crouch
  7. Katutoka Corrine - 1:01
    Written by Caiphus Semenya
    Lead Vocals by Letta Mbulu
    Choir Arranged and Conducted by Caiphus Semenya
  8. Celie Shaves Mr./Scarification Ceremony - 3:13
    Written by Q. Jones, C. Semenya, J. Rosenbaum, Bill Summers and Harvey Mason
    Vocals by Christ Memorial Church Choir
    Choir Arranged and Conducted by Caiphus Semenya
  9. I'm Here - 1:51
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Lubbock, R. Temperton and Chris Boardman
    Orchestra Conducted by Chris Boardman
  10. Champagne Train - 2:36
    Composed by Q. Jones, C. Boardman, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Chris Boardman
  11. Celie's New House/Body and Soul - 4:13
    "Celie's New House" Composed by Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton and Joel Rosenbaum
    Orchestra Conducted by Dick Hazard
    "Body and Soul" Composed by Johnny Green, Edward Heyman and Robert Sour
    Performed by Coleman Hawkins & his Orchestra
    "Body and Soul" Recorded 1939[2]
  12. Maybe God Is Tryin' to Tell You Somethin' - 4:38
    Written by Q. Jones, A. Crouch, Bill Maxwell and David Del Sesto
    Lead Vocals by Jacqueline Farris and Táta Vega
    Choir Conducted by Sandra Crouch and Andraé Crouch
  13. Reunion/Finale - 4:37
    Composed by Q. Jones, J. Hayes, J. Lubbock and R. Temperton
    Orchestra Conducted by Jack Hayes
Notes
  • "Overture" medley consists of the songs "Miss. Celie's Blues" (with Tatá Vega), "Celie Leaves with Mr." (with Jack Hayes), "Celie Cooks Shug Breakfast" (with Fred Steiner), "Nettie Teaches Celie" (with Jack Hayes), "Sophia's Walk", "Makidada", "Champagne Train" (with Chris Boardman), "Mailbox", and "Proud Theme" (with Ernie Watts).
  • "Sophia's Walk" composed by Quincy Jones, Jerry Hey and Randy Kerber
  • "Makidada" composed by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Menno Meyjes
  • "Mailbox" composed by Quincy Jones

Personnel

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Information is taken from the Album's liner notes[2]

Main Performance
Production
  • Quincy Jones - producer (A1-A10, A12-A14, A16-B10, B11.1, B12-B13), musical arrangement (A12-A14, B12)
  • Chris Boardman - orchestration (A1)
  • Jorge Calandrelli - orchestration (A6, B1)
  • Andraé Crouch - musical arrangement (B6, B12)
  • Jack Hayes - orchestration (A1)
  • Dick Hazard - orchestration (B11.1)
  • Jerry Hey - musical arrangement (A16-A17), orchestration (A1)
  • Randy Kerber - orchestration (A1)
  • Harvey Mason - percussion arrangement (B8)
  • Joel Rosenbaum - orchestration (B8, B11.1)
  • Daniel Ryman - music programming (B7)
  • Fred Steiner - orchestration (A1)
  • Bill Summers - percussion arrangement (B8)
"Junk Bucket Blues"
"My Heart"
"Body and Soul"

References

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  1. ^ a b c The Color Purple at AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Quincy Jones and Various Artists (1986). The Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Qwest Records.
  3. ^ "Orlando Sentinel - We are currently unavailable in your region".
  4. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. 2 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five. My Heart. Okeh. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
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