Customer Reviews

Peter & Wendy (1997 Original Cast Members)

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I had the rare pleasure of seeing Mr. Cunningham and Ms. McKeowen perform much of this material at a small pub in Houston a few years ago. When the final song was done there was a profound still hush as everyone in the full house sat in awe. They had created a magical timeless space, and we were all spellbound.

This CD captures that magic beautifully. This whole production, with its lovely music, lyrics, playing and boxed packaging is quite a work of love. Based on the further thoughts of J.M.Barrie contained in "Peter and Wendy", which he wrote about 9 years after the phenominally successful "Peter Pan" in an attempt to capture a fuller picture of what it is to parent (wanting to get beyond the popular superficial acceptance of the story to reveal the darker side to the experience of Neverland...), this feels like the complete and authentic version.

This is such a beautiful production. The instrumentation here is top-notch. The music and lyrics are tender and heatbreaking, sweet and clear, light and yet also weighty. This is both a labour of love as well as a gift of love. It makes me feel whole and complete, as a child, adult and parent, in one big bittersweet soft and intricate tangle. Thank You Johnny, well done man!

This is an absolutely beautiful CD, with touching, almost heart wrenching, masterfully crafted songs that are a wonderful tribute to Barrie and to the traditional Scottish music upon which the music is based. It is not all serious, the "Crocodile Tango" is hilarious!
It is doubly poignant now that Johnny Cunningham has left us ( he died in December `03 at the age of 46, I believe). I had the privilege to see Johnny Cunningham & Susan McKeown perform some of these these wonderful songs in concert just weeks before his death. I feel honored I was able to see the two perform in person twice though I was unable to make it to the stage show of "Peter and Wendy"- according to the staff person we spoke to they were planning to produce it and take it on tour again before Mr. Cunningham passed away. So for those of you who loved the show, Barrie's books, or loved the music of these two talented Traditional musicians and have not heard this album, buy it now while it is still available. Very highly recommended- it has an unearthly quality that will leave you spellbound.

I had this CD for a year before I ever saw the show-- I am a fan of Celtic Music, and had seen Johnny play with his brother Phil at Symphony Space in NY (a major reunion for which I flew 1000 miles). All I can say is if enjoy Celtic music, don't miss this album. It is gorgeous, evocative, heartbreaking. Don't imagine this is "kids' music"-- some of it is funny-- but it is also witty and sorrowful, like Barrie's novel on which it is based. (J.M. Barrie was Scottish, by the way)

I am a tough theatre critic (I work in theatre) and I couldn't believe how moved I was when I did get to see the show, which is resourceful, innovative and utterly breathtaking. The interweaving of the music with the story (told via Bunraku puppets and limber puppeteers, and one incredible actress, Karen Kandel, doing all the voices) was seamless. A show as close to perfect as any I've seen.

Celtic fans may remember Johnny Cunningham from his days with Silly Wizard. He's a master fiddler, but this album demonstrates his brilliance as a composer. Haunting and unforgettable.

After hearing the sound samples on this page, I had to buy the CD. The music is absolutely beautiful. Track 15 ("Neverbird") is the most beautiful melody I've ever heard. If you are a fan of celtic music, this recording is right for you.

Lovely melodies, especially the Star Lullaby. Bittersweet with a Celtic touch. If you like Johnny Cunningham you will like this intelligent interpretation of this old standard. It's an another indication of his myriad talents and his willingness to explore musical possibilities.

I've twice felt eerily close to the presence of Sir James Barrie: the first time was scouting out landmarks in Kensington Gardens, and finding them, and the second was partaking of Mabou Mines production of "Peter & Wendy," which so effectively captured both the magic and cruelty of Barrie's immortal boy that the story seemed freshly minted. A good bit of this was due to Johnny Cunningham's heartfelt score, whimsical one moment and heart-gripping the next.

It's difficult to describe how bunraku puppets, a steamer trunk full of props and toys, and even an ironing board, could be transformed into a London home and then Neverland; I doubt that even a video would have done it justice. So find a copy of Barrie's novelized adaptation of his play and read the relevent passages while playing this CD. "On These Magic Shores" sets the tone, "Memories to Bed" explicates Nana's regrets while it foreshadows Wendy's future, and "Flight" tingles with the excitement of kids going wild as they literally fly from their mundane existence toward Neverland. And then there are moments like "Mermaids" that enchant you and leave you believing and reaching for something that's not supposed to be real but is lingering somewhere in your past.

Celtic music this may be, but it is also music for the ages, an integral part of a stage production that carries the essence of that production (and its source material) to new listeners as well as to those of us who were fortunate to witness this production. Johnny Cunningham may be gone, but through his collaboration on this show, an odd and magical alchemy was achieved; Cunningham's music will soar and inspire for as long as the child in each of us yearns to fly with Peter Pan, gay, innocent, and heartless.

A first rate tribute to Johhny Cunningham's genius! A treasure that should be a part of all musical collections.

.... if you saw the stage production!! If you did, then I don't need to convince you that it was the most incredible experiences ever. If you didn't, then take a listen to the clips and if they are your cup of tea, then buy the cd. If you are not into celtic music (or world music) then it might be a bit more problematic. And as strange as it might seem, I recommend that you read the book again (or even watch either Hook or Peter Pan). You will appreciate of how closely the music ties into the plot.

... even in the middle of winter. I just got back from seeing "Peter & Wendy" in its current run on Broadway. It is one of the most intensely beautiful productions that I have seen in New York, and arguably the most faithful adaptation of J.M. Barrie's novel ever created. It rescues Peter Pan from the generations of Disney-fied preciousness with which he has become laden over the years. For me, Cunningham's lush score bottles the essence of hunting for fireflies at dusk in the back yard in June. It is truly evocative of the mysteries and the haunting wonder of youth. Highly recommended.

Don't miss this show and cd . if you like celtic muse score it