The Sublime Treble Voice of James Rainbird

John Dowland (Composer), Philip Rosseter (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Henry Purcell (Composer), Salvator Rosa (Composer), Michael [Composer] Stuckey (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Roger Quilter (Composer), John [British Composer] Ireland (Composer), Samuel Barber (Composer), Andrzej Panufnik (Composer), Michael Stuckey (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Stuckey
• Composer: John Dowland, Philip Rosseter, Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, Salvator Rosa, et al.
• Audio CD (December 28, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Priory Records UK
• ASIN: B0006SSPC6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,765 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Come again, instrumental music

2. Fine knacks for ladies, for 4 voices & lute (Second Book of Songs)

3. What Then Is Love But Mourning

4. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Prepare Thyself Zion

5. Man is for the woman made (from 'The Mock Marriage'), song, Z. 605/3

6. Music for a While (from 'Oedipus'), song, Z. 583/2

7. Star Vicino for voice & keyboard (spurious)

8. The Revival, for voice & continuo

9. Paul Bunyan, operetta, Op. 17: Ballad

10. Songs (4) of the Sea, for voice & piano, Op. 1 (revised as Three Songs of the Sea): I Have a Friend

11. Songs (4) of the Sea, for voice & piano, Op. 1 (revised as Three Songs of the Sea): The Seabird

12. Songs (4) of the Sea, for voice & piano, Op. 1 (revised as Three Songs of the Sea): Moonlight

13. Songs (4) of the Sea, for voice & piano, Op. 1 (revised as Three Songs of the Sea): By the Sea

14. The Holy Boy, version for voice & piano (or strings)

15. Friday Afternoons, children's songs (12) for children's chorus & piano, Op. 7: New Year Carol

16. Paul Bunyan, operetta, Op. 17: Ballad

17. Sure on this shining night, song for voice & piano (also arr. for voice, orch, chorus & piano), Op. 13/3

18. Hommage à Chopin for flute & string orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind voice, February 8, 2008

By 

L. loveday - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sublime Treble Voice of James Rainbird (Audio CD)

James Rainbird was probably the greatest boy treble voice of all time.
At twelve, when this album was recorded, he was at his peak and even though the sound quality is not the best it is still a great album. Some of the songs are very moving such as "Sure on This Shining Night" and "Come Again" while other cuts are just fun like the ballads of Paul Bunyan.
It might have been nice if he had been backed by an orchestra but Stuckey's simple piano accompaniment allows James' voice to shine freely without masking any of the beautiful tones.
This album is becoming increasingly difficult to find and I'm glad to have it. I only wish there were more recordings of his.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Ordinary, October 5, 2008

By 

John Sebastian (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sublime Treble Voice of James Rainbird (Audio CD)

This is an extraordinary CD. Twelve-year old James Rainbird recorded these songs with piano accompaniment in the 1980s for a small British recording label. His technique, musicianship, and understanding of words and music are astonishing for someone his age. He does wonders with the opening early baroque songs by Dowland and Rosseter. The performance of Purcell's timeless "Music for a While" is at once majestic and touching. Britten's two Paul Bunyan ballads are simply irresistible, even if he gets a little tired, and his rendering of the Barber song "Sure on this Shining Night" towards the end is memorable. Strongly recommended.