Jack White Recording Five Songs for Soundtrack
by Carmina Ocampo | 00.00.0000

The White Stripes couldn't have been more out of place than at the 2002 MTV Video Awards sitting next to the likes of Eminem and N*SYNC. Meg and Jack stuck out like thumbs that had had not one, but several doors closed on them. In case you hadn't heard, fans are getting another chance to play "Where's Whitey?"--this time in the strange setting of the last days of the American Civil War. Jack White has been cast in a minor role in Cold Mountain alongside Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger and Jude Law (who he'll stare at sinisterly). Now for the new news: Jack, sans Meg, will contribute five songs to the film's soundtrack, due out for release on Dec. 16.

The Detroit rocker will play such traditional knee slappin' sit-around-the-fireplace songs as "Wayfaring Stranger," Howlin' Wolf's "Sittin' on Top of the World" and the Ralph Stanley hit "Great High Mountain," as well as two new songs: "Never Far Away" and "Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over." Columbia/DMZ places Jack in the good company of other folk artists like Tim Erikson of Cordelia's Dad, and Alison Krauss on the soundtrack. Nicole Kidman will also sing in one song to piano playing by Gabriel Yared (begging the simple question, "Why?").

It's hard to imagine Jack White in a big-budget period film, let alone a sappy sounding one about a wounded soldier who journeys back home to reunite with his object of affection. Mel Gibson or Jewel, yes. Jack White, no. Then again, it's hard to imagine him in costume that isn't red. If you don't feel like watching Cold Mountain to see the Striper in action, you can rent Mutant Swinger from Mars which Garagy Smurf also had a tiny role in.

Here's the tentative track listing:

1) "Wayfaring Stranger," Jack White
2) "Like a Songbird That Has Fallen," Reeltime Travelers
3) "I Wish My Baby Was Born," Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus & Tim O'Brien
4) "The Scarlet Tide," Alison Krauss
4) "The Cuckoo," Tim Eriksen & Riley Baugus
5) "Sittin' on Top of the World," Jack White
6) "Am I Born To Die?," Tim Eriksen
7) "You Will Be My Ain True Love," Alison Krauss
8) "I'm Going Home," Sacred Harp Singers at Liberty Church
9) "Never Far Away," Jack White
10) "Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over," Jack White
11) "Ruby With the Eyes That Sparkle," Stuart Duncan & Dirk Powell
12) "Lady Margret," Cassie Franklin
13) "Great High Mountain," Jack White
14) "Anthem," Gabriel Yared
15) "Ada Plays," Gabriel Yared
16) "Ada and Inman," Gabriel Yared
17) "Love Theme," Gabriel Yared
18) "Idumea," Sacred Harp Singers at Liberty Church