 Sound clips: |
Tracklist: Lavender's Blue Pieds en l'air Fais dodo All the pretty little horses Over the hills and far away Grieg's cradle song Dance to your daddy Andante (from Vivaldi's concerto for two mandolins) Golden Slumbers Schubert's cradle song Hush-a-bye Baby Raisins and almonds German cradle song |
| Press reviews: Sing Out! (USA) One of England’s most dynamic duos, mandolinist Simon Mayor and bassist-vocalist Hilary James, have teamed up once again to release the latest in their long string of classical and popular recordings. Laughing with the Moon showcases both their talent for composition and their love for the traditional music of the British Isles. Their arrangements of the Playford tunes “Hunt the Squirrel” and “Long Odds”, for example, demonstrate not only Mayor’s considerable chops on the mandolin, but also James’ skill as an accompanist who knows just how to accent the tune without overpowering it. The same can be said for “Carolan’s Concerto”, which features James’ tasty guitar work. My favourite parts of this recording are her treatment of the traditional songs “The Shearing’s not for you” and “Andrew Lammie”. Her vocal style is soft and understated, yet she conveys the full emotional content of the melody and lyrics. Four of their own compositions round out Laughing with the Moon – interesting enough, all four are based on folk tunes, and show Mayor and James’ intimate understanding of the music which surrounds them. When my kids were small, and people would give me “children’s music” recordings, my criterion for success went something like this: If I don’t want to throw it out the car window after the fifth listen, it’s good. Children do tend to listen to their favourites over and over, and I feel safe in saying that parents will find Lullabies with Mandolins just as lovely after innumerable car rides. For a start, it’s real music – Schubert’s “Cradle Song”, the American classic “All the Pretty Little Horses, the English favorite “Over the Hills and Far Away”. Mayor and James make no attempt to sell these tunes, they just present them in very simple, quiet arrangements. It works. I predict this will become a big favorite at bedtime, and if your kids learn all the words to “Lavender’s Blue” or want to learn to play mandolin after listening to Vivaldi’s “Andante” so much the better. This is James and Mayor’s sixth recording for children, a catalogue that we parents can only hope keeps growing. MD Irish Music Magazine Lullabies often are neglected in our society. Everyone sees them as little nonsense songs sung from tone-deaf fathers to beautiful contralto in nurseries. Thanks to this album we may rescue some of the greatest bits of music for generations to come. These lullabies cannot be wasted on the babies. The pieces on offer are not only instrumental. Hilary James sings a beautiful version of "Lavender's Blue" to open the album. We also hear the beautiful traditional "Over the Hills and Far Away" as purloined by John Gay for his Beggar's Opera a few centuries ago. The range of the songs and tunes is fascinating. "Raisins and Almonds" sounds like a wondrous Yiddish song. They perform from the classical repertoire with "Greig's Cradle Song" and "Schubert's Cradle Song." You also get "Dance to Your Daddy" and "All the Pretty Little Horses." A few years ago the experts were telling us that babies should be exposed to classical music, even in the womb. All babies, whatever age up to 90 years, must be exposed to these lullabies. Parents should get two copies of this album. One can be put on continuous play in the nursery to nurture discerning music lovers. The other should be in the sitting room to re-educate adults in the joys of lullabies. Nicky Rossiter (Ireland) The Daily Telegraph Hilary James with Simon Mayor "Laughing with the Moon" CDACS 047 Simon Mayor & Hilary James "Lullabies with Mandolins" CDACS 049 After devoting 30 years to winning belated respect for the mandolin, Simon Mayor is established as the instrument's most eloquent champion. The delightful singing and instrumental contributions of Hilary James have done his campaign no harm, helping the couple to refine a confident, attractive sound. Of these New Year offerings, Laughing With the Moon is the one for grown-ups. Mayor and James have chosen their material well. Instantly appealing traditional songs, notably 'The Shearing's Not For You', a neglected folk club standard of the early 1970s, and a sparkling version of 'Carolan's Concerto', among the best-known of the 18th-century blind harpist's charming little pieces, mix effectively with newer works. Lullabies With Mandolins is naturally aimed at children – young, pre-Playstation children at that – and is pleasing enough to serve a worthy purpose, capturing the attention of fractious little people on long car journeys without causing too much irritation to the adults up front. Colin Randall Babysue (USA) General pop culture magazine (not for children) Lullabies With Mandolins CDACS047 Laughing at the Moon CDACS049 Hilary James and Simon Mayor make music for all the right reasons. While most folks in the United States may not be familiar with these two individuals, they are well known in Great Britain. The two have been recording and touring together in various stages of their careers since the 1970s. James sings, plays guitar and bass guitar while Mayor is a mandolin virtuoso. Laughing with the Moon is a lighthearted romp through a variety of traditional and original tunes. Hilary has a voice that is perfectly smooth and always on key... slightly reminiscent of Alison Krauss. Mayor's playing is personal and spirited throughout. The instrumentals sound just as good as the vocal tracks and vice versa. On Lullabies With Mandolins, the duo covers songs that will appeal to children as well as adults. The album reminds us of The Innocence Mission's Now the Day Is Over. James and Mayor chose to cover timeless lullabies that will sound great decades from now. Both of these discs showcase two musicians who truly love what they do. In their spare time, these folks even play for children in schools. How cool is that? Completely genuine and real in every way. Excellent. (Rating: 5+) Folkworld.de (Germany) Hilary James with Simon Mayor "Laughing with the Moon" CDACS 047 Simon Mayor & Hilary James "Lullabies with Mandolins" CDACS 049 Britain's premier duo, especially if it comes to four double-course stringed instruments: Hilary James (vocals, guitar, bass, and mandobass, which is a huge bass-sized mandolin/mandola) and Simon Mayor (mandolin). Hilary sings traditional ballads and some of her own making, Simon delivers instrumental compositions and traditional dance tunes from England and Scotland, and a Carolan air. A marvellous partnership with Hilary's charming vocals and Simon's expert mandolin playing. Personally I like best the beautiful instrumental version of the well-known Jacobite song "Johnny Cope" at rather slow pace. Both Hilary and Simon have maintained a keen interest in music for children throughout their careers, with over sixty children's songs to their credit. However, "Lullabies with Mandolins" is a bedtime collection of traditional songs and classical tunes for children and for the mums and dads as well. Tunes - "Lavender's Blue" up to "Fais Dodo" - from Britain, France, Germany and the Americas from the 16th century onwards, as well as melodies from Vivaldi, Grieg and Schubert, the latter being piano turned mandolin pieces. Please allow me to cite from "Over the Hills and Far Away" what sums up best that lullabies don't mean sleepy and tiresome: Now Tom did play with such a skill that those nearby could not stand still, and over Ireland they did dance, over England, Spain and France. Maverick (USA) Acoustic roots music magazine Subtle, gentle music master class for young and old to enjoy Want to give your young 'un the best possible start in life? Hope to raise a well-balanced kid who will have absorbed enough fine sounds through the formative years to guarantee good taste in youth and adulthood? Well, have a listen to what these ever so clever people are up to. This is about as perfectly balanced as anything could ever be that you'd wish to expose a delicate little bundle to, as an introduction to what can have a settling effect when things seem a little fraught. James, in particular has a mesmerising quality about her delivery that is truly soothing and satisfying. She doubles up on harmonies for “Golden Slumbers” and the end result isn't too far away from a Kate and Anna McGarrigle experience- Listen too, to “Fais Dodo”, where Mayor supports the delicate vocals with runs on mandolin and fiddle that are beautifully sympathetic. They make no apologies for tailoring the whole package towards that time when children's heads should be hitting the pillow. In the process, they handle these traditional bedtime songs and classic little tunes so delicately that grown ups can fall right under their spell too. The pair have previously recorded a handful of entertaining MUSICAL MYSTERY TOUR albums for children. This takes the theme on to new highs. Mayor, one of Europe's virtuoso mandolin players, brings a real touch of panache to proceedings. His intro to “All the Pretty Little Horses” sets a standard so high you'd imagine James could never maintain the thread, but she does, to produce a sublimely beautiful rendition that's helped along by the odd subtle tweak of studio wizardry. And, again, much of the credit must go to Mayor whose contribution, especially on violin, is perfect. His touches on Greig's “Cradle Song” and “Andante” from “Concerto for Two Mandolins” are so light; you feel he must have been floating on air. They manage to rejuvenate the best known lullaby of them all, “Hush-a-bye Baby” with a reworking that gives it a new lease of life. The old American song, “Raisins & Almonds” gets the kind of invigorating dunk in the mountain stream that the likes of Laura Boosinger might have done. The addition of the lush, “German Cradle Song” is something of a master stroke. Taken from Mayor's own Winter with Mandolins album, it is the baited hook that will have you seeking out that CD and his other two, The English Mandolin and The Second Mandolin. Here's another tip: They occasionally go out as a 'bluegrass-to-lrving Berlin' trio called Slim Panatella and the Mellow Virginians. Is that name smoking or what? LT Net Rhythms This is billed as a children's album, and though described as "a bedtime collection of traditional songs and classical tunes", is probably unlikely to send you to sleep even though it includes versions of famous cradle-songs by Grieg and Schubert alongside Golden Slumbers, Over The Hills And Far Away, Hush-a-Bye-Baby and, to open proceedings, a particularly beautiful version of Lavender's Blue. There's even a movement from one of Vivaldi's concerti (the lovely one in G for two mandolins, RV532), and I think that the entire concerto could easily have fitted snugly into place on this CD and sounded good. Simon and Hilary do play more instruments than just mandolins on this album, however, in case you're worried! They turn in renditions that are endearingly informal, and affectionate and warm rather than cloyingly sentimental, and the whole album is tasteful and entertaining. With its refreshing lack of condescension (ie not patronising its audience in the slightest) it's every bit as satisfying as [their current album for adults] Laughing With The Moon, and it would certainly prove a genuinely charming gift for any musically-inclined young person you know who's not fixated with pop culture. David Kidman Cue Lullabies With Mandolins CDACS 049 Laughing With the Moon CDACS 047 Hilary James is an established and extremely accomplished musician and artist, playing a whole range of acoustic and electric instruments but notable are her performances on assorted bass instruments. She has also had her own label since 1979 and she has released a total of 22 albums. Simon Mayor is an equally established musician and he is every bit as competent, he represents the leading light in mandolin playing in Britain. As a partnership, Hilary James and Simon Mayor have been playing and recording together since the mid Seventies.Their partnership produces fantastic works of acoustic folk music with a traditional English feel but drawing its individuality from their blending of folk with ballads, blues and classical music, for example, that of Berlioz and Handel. Lullabies With Mandolins is a brand new release by Hilary and Simon. It is the latest of their releases for children (they have also released a whole series for children under the title Musical Mystery Tour). Featuring 13 tracks, it is a collection of traditional and classical songs and melodies that can be grouped together as lullabies. The selection includes: Lavenders Blue, All the Pretty Little Horses, Golden Slumbers, Griegs Cradle Song and Hush a bye baby. These gentle relaxing bedtime songs will be equally enjoyed by children and parents alike, as well as by fans of this terrific partnership. Laughing with the Moon is the latest studio album released by Hilary and Simon and is a wondrous collection of traditional and original songs and instrumentals. These include The Dream a great opening track that fully displays this pairings ability on their chosen musical instruments, The Reel Thing which is a modern slant on a lively Reel, Newcastle, Fireflies and Shenandoah.This album features a whole host of virtuoso musicians: Frank Kilkelly on guitar, Phil Fentimen on guitar and double bass, Alan Whetton on Soprano saxophone and Simon Price on Drums. Laughing with the Moon is as enjoyable to sit and let wash over you as it is an education is musicians everywhere. It is a hugely enjoyable experience and grows more so after every listen. Both these albums are available now and are distributed by RSK/BMG. Country Gazette (Holland) Acoustische liedjes voor jong en oud Wat is er tocch veel mooie muziek gemaakt, als jer maar oog en oor voor hebt en het geluk om het te ontdekken. Simon Mayor en Hilary James zijn al heel wat jaren bezig en hebben een indrukwekkende lijst albums op hun naam staan. Soloprojecten, albums voor kinderen, platen waarop ze elkaar meestal samen vinden. Degene die de hoofdrol vervult wordt in de titel het eerst genoemd. Er verschenen onlangs twee albums: Hilary James with Simon Mayor "Laughing with the Moon" en "Lullabies with Mandolins" van Simon Mayor with Hilary James. Op "Laughing with the Moon" heelt Hilary James de glansrol. Haar stem schittert helder en hoog en wordt daarbij fraai onderstuend door violin, gitaren, mandolin, mandola en mandocello, vakkundig bespeeld door Simon Mayor . Hilary James speelt mandobass, double bass, bassguitar en gitaar. Alles prachtig gedoseerd in een harmonieus acoustisch veld. Naast eigen werk van beiden horen we vooral bewerkingen van traditionele Engelse tunes en balladen. Dit is muziek zoals dat voor het oor geschapen is. Subliem in geluidsweergave en wat een vrolijkheid. "Lullabies with Mandolins" is een 'bedtime collection' van traditionele songs en klassieke tunes uit een ver verleden. De klassieke meesters maakten veel composities die door eenvoud ook de jeugd aanspraken. Tunes van Grieg, Vivaldi, Schubert e. a. worden hier op mandoline uitgevoerd. De 8 songs, allen bewekte traditionals, worden schitterend gezongen door Hilary, met Simon soms bescheiden in tweede stem. We horen songs als "Fais Do Do", "Lavender's Blue", "All the pretty little Horses", "Over the hills and far away", "Hush-a-bye baby", "Golden Slumbers" en meer. Simon Mayor heeft muzikaal de hoofdrol in allerlei soorten mandoline, violin, whistle en gitaren. Voor Hilary zijn de baspartjen op mando- en gitaar. Schitterende muziek en songs voor momenten van weldadige rust. Roots Review (Online magazine) Exquisite, magical, delicate, intriguing are just a few of the words to describe the stunning performances on the album “Lullabies With Mandolins”. Simon Mayor and Hilary James have released this their 20th collaborative album which showcases their wonderful dexterity and creativity using the mandolin, mandobass, guitar, double bass and various other instruments as well as their voices. The album is a mix of instrumental arrangements of classics such as the Andante from Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Mandolins and Schubert’s Cradle Song interspersed with wonderfully innovative arrangements of traditional children’s songs and lullabies including “Dance to your Daddy” and “Hush–a-bye Baby”. Hilary supplies most of the vocals with Simon performing on violin, whistle and glockenspiel as well as the mandolins. I must confess I prefer the instrumental tracks although each of the songs is given a beautiful and original accompaniment and Hilary’s voice is perfect for children’s songs. The album is marketed at parents/grandparents of very young children and it would be very soothing and gentle background music playing as children go to sleep. Both Simon and Hilary have always maintained a keen interest in music for children and have been involved in education and broadcasting for quite a few years. Of their 20 albums five have been recorded in their Musical Mystery Tour children’s series. This is children’s music of the very highest quality and so far superior to most of the music aimed at this niche market. The fine musicianship demonstrated on this album is inspirational and the two of them admirably encompass many styles and genres of playing. The instrumental pieces can also be found on other recordings of Simon Mayor and this album has definitely whetted my appetite to listen to more. “Lullabies With Mandolins” is released on the Acoustic Record label. Janet Roe Green Man Review (USA) Lullabies with Mandolins is exactly what the title suggests. You get a number of English nursery rhymes, such as "Lavender's Blue," "Over the Hills and Far Away" and "Dance to your Daddy," all performed like lullabies. They are mixed with some tunes from classical composers such as Grieg, Vivaldi and Schubert. My favourite track is the extended version of "Golden Slumbers" (not the Beatles version). It starts with some beautiful a cappella singing that leads into an instrumental passage. Stretched out over more than five minutes, it is very moving. They are two damn good musicians playing damn good music, and that will take them a long way. Clearly worth checking out. Lars Nilsson The Living Tradition This album is targeted at a specific audience - parents, grandparents and their young charges. It's essentially exactly what its title suggests; a collection of traditional lullabies and cradle songs - the production is very elegant, and the result is gentle and pleasing on the ear. Mayor excels as always on mandolin, guitar, fiddle, whistle, mandocello (and more), whilst James' voice, guitar and bass playing continue to delight. Mayor and James have achieved acclaim for their significant contribution to children's music education (especially through their 'Musical Mystery Tour' CDs, and their regular school-based workshops and television/radio productions), so the present recording is a natural extension of this work. hadn't heard some of these tunes before, though most are very widely known - 'Lavender's Blue', 'Grieg's Cradle Song', 'Dance To Your Daddy', 'Golden Slumbers', ‘Raisins & Almonds’, and the French lullaby 'Fais Dodo'. The selections are from England, France, North America, Germany and Italy; many are timeless, traditional songs, Grieg, Vivaldi and Schubert composed others. I would certainly have been interested in purchasing this recording when my own children were very young (it's soothing and beautiful to listen to, and would surely calm a fractious child on long car journeys, at bedtime, etc). It's an elegant alternative to those mass-produced, vastly inferior children's music CDs on sale at your local branch of the Early Learning Centre. Mayor and James continue to record high quality, crafted music to be enjoyed by all age groups - I think the appeal of this recording will be limited due to its likely audience, but then again you could say that about most of the music reviewed by Living Tradition! Debbie Koritsas Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews (online magazine) This British duo have a long tradition of recording albums aimed at children. Amazingly this is the twentieth album they have recorded together and a good percentage of them have been embraced by kids. And this one is no exception, apart from the fact that it brings out the “kid” in us all, and if we suck on the songs long enough, madeleine cake-style, we somehow are back in the nursery and ready for our afternoon nap. They are exquisitely performed by this multi-instrumentalist duo: not only are they ultra-talented musicians, but both are vocalists who can safely negotiate the minefield that an ostensibly simple lullaby can represent. My favourite cut “Hush-a-bye Baby” is, to my generation, synonymous with the BBC’s long-standing radio programme “Listen With Mother”. It is so easy to sing it on auto-pilot, and bore us all to the point where we CANNOT sleep, (perhaps for the sheer frustration of listening to recording artistes refusing to stretch themselves!) But these two avoid such an approach like the plague: instead, their approach to the lyric is like they wrote it just ten minutes ago. And when these lullabies are played and sung with real freshness as they are here, you can as a reviewer, subject it to the acid test. Play it as you turn the light off at the end of your day. And see if you are asleep before the CD has got halfway! I am pleased to say that every time I was asleep in ten minutes! So that is a tribute to the “medicinal” qualities (so-to-speak) of this CD !! I had to play it in the mornings to properly honour my obligations as a reviewer, i.e. to listen to the album all the way through. It might seem a back-handed compliment, but believe me, you should abandon your pharmacist. Instead, invest in this fine CD. Dai Woosnam Dirty Linen (USA) Laughing With the Moon CDACS 047 Lullabies With Mandolins CDACS 049 For years, mando-bass player and singer Hilary James and her husband/mandolin wizard Simon Mayor have been dazzling audiences in their native England and Europe with their singing and playing. On her latest solo album Laughing With The Moon, James is once again backed by Mayor and many other fine players including Alan Whetton’s excellent saxophone playing. Her sound is an interesting mix of traditional English and the newgrass music pioneered by artists such as Sam Bush and David Grisman - a sort of Brit-Dawg Music. The album varies among highly energised instrumentals (“The Reel Thing”) and beautifully sung traditional songs (“The Shearing’s Not For You” and a gorgeous version of “Shennandoah”), and extraordinary original compositions (“Fireflies” and the album’s title track). The couple is also well known in their homeland as highly entertaining makers of children’s music, with their series of “Musical Mystery Tour” albums and concerts. Their latest children’s CD is called Lullabies With Mandolins and is sure to set your whole family into a blissfully mellow mood. From the sweet, soothingly sung strains of “Lavender’s Blue”, the semi-classical “Pieds en l’air”, and the sweeping, majestic “Fais Dodo”, they maintain an air of quiet beauty. Classics such as “All The Pretty Little Horses”, “Over The Hills And Far Away” and “Hush-a-bye Baby” are mando-ized, while even Vivaldi’s “Andante” becomes a concerto for two mandolins [sic]. Lahri Bond Acoustics Records PO Box 350 Reading RG6 7DQ England Tel: +44 (0)118 92 6 8615 www.acousticsrecords.co.uk |
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