Orange Sky (song)

"Orange Sky"
Song by Alexi Murdoch
from the EP Four Songs
Released2002
Recorded2001–2002
GenreFolk music
Length6:19
LabelAlexi Murdoch Music
Composer(s)Alexi Murdoch
Producer(s)Alexi Murdoch, Chad Fischer

"Orange Sky" is a folksong from Alexi Murdoch's extended play (EP) Four Songs. The song was featured in television, movies and in an Emmy Award winning television commercial. A re-recorded version of the song is also included on Murdoch's first LP Time Without Consequence.

History

"Orange Sky" is a folk song that was written by Alexi Murdoch and released in 2002.[1][2] It appeared on Murdoch's extended play titled Four Songs. A Kansas City distributor, Harvest Media Group, signed Murdoch based on the strength of the EP. Before there was a formal distributor, the EP sold 15,000 copies.[1]

Murdoch's first full-length album was titled Time Without Consequence, and the song was rerecorded and included on the record.[3] The version he recorded for the LP record was noticeably different than the EP version. In the LP version there are more drums and a piano.[4]

The song was featured on episodes of the television show, Dawson's Creek and The O.C..[1] It was also used in episodes of the television shows House and Prison Break.[5] The song was also in the movie Garden State.[1] It was featured in a Honda commercial. The song received more attention than the other songs on the EP and was played by several influential radio stations like WXPN in Philadelphia.[3] The song was also featured in a Hallmark Cards commercial that won an Emmy Award.[6]

Orange Sky Laundry, a service offering free clothes washing for the homeless in Australia, was named for the song.[7]

Reception

The Philadelphia Inquirer reviewed the EP and said that "Orange Sky" is sung in a "near whisper."[8] Writing for the Hartford Courant, Erica B. Danton called it a "ghostly ballad."[9] A soundtrack for The O.C. television show was released, and it featured "Orange Sky." The album's reviewer said the song was lethargic and monotonous.[10]

Personnel

Four Songs

  • Alexi Murdoch – vocals, guitar, slide guitar
  • Chad Fischer – drums
  • Andrew Bush – bass
  • Jay Bellerose – cymbal
  • Joel Shearer – electric guitar
  • Renee Stahl – backing vocals[11]

Time Without Consequence

  • Alexi Murdoch – harmonium, guitar, piano, tambourine
  • Brett Simons – bass
  • Greg Leisz – guitar
  • Joel Shearer – guitar
  • Jay Bellerose – percussion
  • Ben Peeler – lap steel guitar
  • Savanna Talbot – backing vocals[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Murdoch Harvests Distributor For EP. New York, New Yok: Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Billboard. 18 September 2004. p. 49. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch AllMusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b Spread the 'LDN' Love, Please. New York, New Yok: Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Billboard. 24 June 2006. p. 58. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  4. ^ Danton, Erica B. (8 June 2006). "Murdoch's Quiet Exploration of Life". Hartford Courant. pp. CAL05. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  5. ^ Pais, Matt (14 February 2007). "Soundtrack Superman". Chicago Tribune. pp. 33–43. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  6. ^ Adweek. New York, New Yok: VNU Business Publications. April 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  7. ^ Browne, Rachel (6 November 2015). "Orange Sky Laundry offers free washing service for Sydney's homeless". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Alexi Murdoch". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 13 July 2003. pp. H12. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  9. ^ Danton, Erica B (1 April 2004). "Songs Showcased But at What cost". Hartford Courant. p. 81. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  10. ^ Besant, Janna (21 April 2004). "'O.C. Soundtrack is Just OK". The Buffalo News. p. 54. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Alexi Murdoch – Four Songs". discogs.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  12. ^ "Alexi Murdoch – Time Without Consequence". discogs.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.