O (Damien Rice album)

O is the name of Damien Rice's first studio album, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, who died of a head injury in 2001.

Rice wanted to make the album without the backing of a major record label, believing if he signed such a deal it would compromise his future work, forcing him to move in directions he did not wish to.^[1]

The video for the song "Volcano" charted in the United States on VH1's Top 20 Video countdown in October 2003.^[2]

Cover versions

• Matt Corby, runner up of Australian Idol 2007 performed "The Blower's Daughter" during acoustic week.
• Diana Vickers, a contestant on the fifth series of the UK's X Factor, also performed "The Blower's Daughter" during her first audition.
• Mexican singer, Kalimba, has a cover of the song "The Blower's Daughter" titled "No puedo dejarte de amar" (I Can't stop loving you), included on his second album
• Aiden Grimshaw, a contestant on the seventh series of The X Factor (UK), performed "Cannonball" during the third audition stage at Dannii Minogue's "Judge's House".
• Dutch musician Anneke van Giersbergen collaborated with Danny Cavanagh to cover "The Blower's Daughter" for her live shows and album, Pure Air.
• Brazilian singers Ana Carolina and Simone released portuguese versions of "The Blower's Daughter", named "É isso aí" and "Então me diz" respectively. Simone's version however is closer to the original lyrics. ^[3]
• Belgian singer Bart Peeters did a Dutch cover version of "Cannonball" (Kanonbal) on his record De Hemel in het Klad (2008).
• Indian composer Pritam wrote a Hindi version of The Blower's Daughter for the film Jannat (2008).^[4]
• Little Mix released Cannonball as their winners' single on the eighth series of The X Factor.

Film and television

• "The Blower's Daughter" was featured in the trailer for the 2004 Mike Nichols film Closer, as well as in the film itself.^[5]
• "Cold Water" was featured in the 2003 film I Am David as well as one of three songs in the end credits of the 2005 film Stay. In addition, it was featured in the 2010 French movie Little White Lies.
• "Delicate" was used during the closing credits of an episode of House, M.D.. It was also used during the episode of Lost called "...In Translation" for the final scene, in Alias in the final scene of the episode "Crossings" as well as in the closing scene in the fifth episode of Misifts. In addition, it was featured in the 2004 film Dear Frankie.
• "Amie" was featured in an episode of CSI: NY entitled "And Here's To You, Mrs. Azrael".
• "Cannonball" was featured during a scene in the 2004 film In Good Company.

Track listing

All songs written by Damien Rice, except where stated.

Release history

After the album's initial release and success, it was repackaged several times with additional material

• 2003 – with bonus DVD
• 2004 – with extra track "Cannonball" (Remix)
• 2004 – double album pack: O and B-Sides
• 2005 – with extra tracks "Cannonball" (Remix) and "Unplayed Piano"

Personnel

• Damien Rice – bass guitar, clarinet, guitar, percussion, drums, vocals, production
• Caz – djembe
• Doreen Curran – mezzo soprano
• Nicholas Dodd – conducting
• Shane Fitzsimons – bass guitar
• Lisa Hannigan – backing vocals, lead vocals on track 9, piano
• Mark Kelly – electric guitar
• Vyvienne Long – cello
• Colm Mac Con Iomaire – violin
• Conor Donovan – timpani/percussion
• Jean Meunier – improvisation, piano
• Tom Osander aka Tomo – percussion, drums

References