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"This recording includes a generous 24 tracks of original, traditional, and cleverly arranged classical pieces, performed by two of the United Kingdom’s outstanding songsmiths and instrumentalists, who oddly enough, have chosen to work in the arena of children’s music.
James and Mayor have recorded 20 albums for adults and children, including Mayor’s mandolin solo sides. This compilation gathers the favorite tracks from among the children’s CDs and child-appropriate material not usually associated with kid’s music - but it all woks out fabulously.
Superb instrumentalists, Mayor is an acclaimed mandolin virtuoso, as well as a fine guitarist and fiddler, and James plays mandobass, semi-acoustic double bass and guitar. her elegant, articulate voice, however, is her greatest asset and a compliment to Mayor’s gentle, friendly baritone.
Among the standout tracks is the original “Magpie sitting on a Broken Chair.” James’ lilting soprano delivers a gentle message of conservation in this charming story about nature’s eminent recycler. The infectious melody and touching imagery are ornamented by Mayor’s expressive mandolin and fiddle. This cut had me hitting repeat so often, it took a few days to get to the rest of the CD. Best of all, it passed the road test: You know you have something special when a seven-year old admits, “I can’t get that song out of my head!”
Not just a C for kids, this recording was on loan for a day to a group of junior high students at a camp this summer. I gave them the CD, my player, and six brand-new-C-batteries. At the end of the day, they dutifully returned my CD, the player - and six dead batteries.
It takes real skill to produce such a well-conceived, varied, and superbly performed collection - but it takes an act of God to appeal to middle-schoolers!
Children’s Favourites gets an A+!
Linda J. Morris, Pennsylvania
Hilary James & Simon Mayor
c/o Acoustics Records
PO Box 350, Reading RG6 7DQ, England
+44 (0)118 926 8615
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