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Death Wish II is a soundtrack album by Jimmy Page, released by Swan Song Records on February 15, 1982 to accompany the film Death Wish II. Following the XYZ project, Page was asked by his Berkshire neighbour, movie director Michael Winner, to record a soundtrack for the film Death Wish II in late August 1981. Death Wish II starred Charles Bronson, and was set around Chicago, which inspired Page to write a blues flavour soundtrack. Page was given a deadline of a few weeks to write and record the album at his home studio The Sol, and travelled on location to Los Angeles with Winner for songwriting themes. The soundtrack features Dave Mattacks from Fairport Convention, former Pretty Things keyboards player Gordon Edwards, and veteran singer Chris Farlowe. Page uses a Roland guitar synthesizer on a number of tracks. Tracks from this album were later reused by Winner for Death Wish III. Page was later asked to compose the soundtrack for Scream for Help (1985), but suggested John Paul Jones to Winner instead.
In Japan a vinyl LP was released that featured rare outtakes from the Sol sessions. Death Wish II was released in CD format in 1999.
Track listing
"Who’s to Blame" (Page) – 2:41
"The Chase" (Page) – 5:48
"City Sirens" (Page/Edwards) – 2:01
"Jam Sandwich" (Page) – 2:35
"Carole’s Theme" (Page) – 2:50
"The Release" (Page) – 2:35
"Hotel Rats and Photostats" (Page) – 2:40
"A Shadow in the City" (Page) – 4:01
"Jill’s Theme" (Page) – 4:00
"Prelude" (Page) – 2:20
"Big Band, Sax and Violence" (Page) – 2:51
"Hypnotizing Ways (Oh Mamma)" (Page) – 2:49
Jimmy Page – Electric guitars, producer
Chris Farlowe – Vocals
Gordon Edwards – Keyboards, vocals
Dave Lawson – Keyboards
David Sinclair Whittaker – Keyboards
David Paton – Bass guitar
Dave Mattacks – Drums and percussion
GLC Philharmonic – Orchestra
This album is Page’s only solo material to appear on Led Zeppelin’s label Swan Song. His two albums with The Firm were released on Atlantic and his solo album Outrider was on Geffen Records. Swan Song ceased operations in 1983.
