Sounds from True Stories


Sounds from True Stories, subtitled Music for Activities Freaks, is the soundtrack to David Byrne's 1986 film True Stories. It was initially released on vinyl and cassette, but was given a CD and 2×LP release in 2018.
The album is not a complete soundtrack recording, featuring only a couple of the vocal songs heard in the film, with the rest being instrumental music. Byrne's band Talking Heads released the album True Stories, which contained versions of the other songs in the film.
In 2018 the Criterion Collection Blu-ray release of the film includes a soundtrack CD that is listed as "containing the film’s complete soundtrack, compiled here for the first time".

Track listing

"Glass Operator" is an orchestral rendition of "Dream Operator" featuring a glass harmonica; "City of Steel" is a steel guitar version of "City of Dreams", which, along with "Dream Operator", appears on Talking Heads' True Stories.

Personnel

Additional musiciansDrums – Prairie Prince, Steve Mitchell, Chris Frantz, Steve Jordan Jr. Bass guitar – Rich Girard, Tina Weymouth, Steve Jordan Guitar – Steve Erquiaga, Steve Jordan Piano – Phil Aaberg, Jerry Harrison, Charles Judge Pedal steel guitar – Joe Goldmark, Tommy Morrell Violin – Dick Bright, David Harrington and John Sherba Percussion – Michael Spiro Cello – Joan Jeanrenaud, Charles Judge Harp – Marcella De Cray Keyboards – Charles Judge, Michael McClain Accordion – Carl Finch, Steve Jordan Bassoon – Greg Barber Clarinet and bass clarinet – Jim Pukey Flute, piccolo flute and alto flute – Charlie McCarthy Oboe – Robin May Viola – Hank Dutt Concertinas – Paul Groff Pan flutes – Fernando Torres Glass harmonica – Terry Hinely
TechnicalEngineers – Jack Leahy, Michael McClain, Don Caldwell and David Rosenblad Assistant engineers – Gary Clayton, Jeff Kliment, Mark Roule and Sam LehmerMastered by Roy Halee and Jack SkinnerMixed by Roy Halee
ArtworkArt direction – Concept Arts and Lucinda CowellDesign – David Byrne and Michael HodgsonFront cover photograph – Annie Liebowitz Back cover photograph – David Byrne, Christina Patoski, Mark Lipson