Customer Reviews

The Sublime Treble Voice of James Rainbird

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.