6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mixing Noted artists with Up and Coming Talentt, October 22, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Songs Inspired By Literature: Chapter One (Audio CD)
Chapter One - Songs Inspired by Literature is not only a wonderful collection of established artists and unknown artists, it is also a CD that raises awareness and funds for the adult literacy epidemic in the United States.
The five celebrity artists serve as a nice collection of fine songwriters. Aimee Mann contributed her song "Ghost World" which was inspired by Dan Clowes graphic novel of the same name. Grace Slick contributed her classic "Rejoyce", Suzanne Vega contributed "Calypso", Ray Manzrek (from the Doors for those who can't quite place his name) contributed "He Can't Come Today", and the haunting song from Bruce Springsteen "The Ghost of Tom Joad".
This CD is a great addition to any CD collection. And, as I have discovered, it's good for car trips...
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Songs that Make You Want to Read, January 19, 2009
This review is from: Songs Inspired By Literature: Chapter One (Audio CD)
This CD was in my car's CD player when the car was stolen 6 years ago, and I've often planned to get another copy of it--which I'm doing now.
The partnership that sponsored this project, led by founder and performer Deborah Pardes, includes the Library of Congress' Center for the Book, the California State Library and several other organizations devoted to literacy, reading, and/or books. Star performers like Bruce Springsteen, Suzanne Vega, and Grace Slick provide several of the tracks. Lesser-known artists performed many of the other songs, but I feel that the songs combine harmoniously to make for a delicious listening experience. The uniformly excellent product may be because it is the result of a competition held in 2001 in which 357 musicians, from 38 states and eight countries, participated.
Though styles vary wildly, each piece is a love song to one of the singer's favorite works of literature, and each performer beckons the listener to search out and read their beloved work. My personal favorite tracks: Lynn Harrison's "Einstein's Brain," inspired by Michael Paterniti's Driving Mr. Albert; Deborah Pardes' "7th Step," inspired by Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes; and Diane Zeigler's "The Legend of Enoch Arden," inspired by Tennyson's poem of the same name.
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