Customer Reviews

Tale To Tell

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Mummers are a UK band with a swirling orchestral sound that wouldn't sound out of place on the soundtrack to some period movie, or at some Fairground. Led by vocalist Raissa Khan-Panni, who manages to sound Jazzy, and like Kate Bush and Björk all at once, they sound unlike anyone else out there.

Khan-Panni studied Classical music (especially Oboe and Piano) and this richness is carried over into their music. Lots of lush densely woven musical interludes with her vocals floating delicately above.

Everything stands out really; the Jazzy/Waltz-like "Wanderland" (simply magical), the horn filled "Lorca and the orange tree" (on which you'd swear it was Björk singing, the swinging "This is heaven (Glow)", "Tale to tell" (with a beautiful extensive intro), the swirling and tgwinkling "Teardropsfall", and the closing Jazzy melancholic "Nightbus" (big bass sound and lush strings, gentle chiming and a fantastic horn break). Opening cut and lead-off sngle "March of the dawn" is driven by darting triumphant sounding horns and a cascading wall of harmonies, over a gently marching beat.

Listening to this album is like stepping into a magical world filled with elves and fairies and vibrant colours. Like a visit to the circus (she even mentions a Circus in "Wake me up") with Khan-Panni's vocals the ringleader. Pure magic!

First saw this group in early 2010 on a repeat airing of "Later" with Jools Holland, Ovation Channel (originally aired April 10, 2009). Found it interesting and appealing, but not an out of the park experience - UNTIL LATER. Many months later, someone uploaded mp3s of their album on a torrent. Then the attraction became serious. A lover of artie stuff, I'd never heard anything like it! I searched the Web for news and history of this group from England. I learned that the group's pianist/creator, Mark Harwood, committed suicide by hanging himself outside his tree house. Damn, so many die young. Susannah McCorkle jumped off her balcony in NYC. Nancy Lamott died young of cancer. I'm ordering this CD from an Amazon partner for real fidelity quality of `.wav' files and also their latest, Mink Hollow though haven't heard a note of it. I hope they keep their wonderful concept going. The opening vocal bars of some of these songs (like Wonderland and March of the Dawn - performed on Jools Holland "Later") resonate in warmth, instantly melting mind and body into the dreaminess some have mentioned here. Last time that happened to me was the opening vocal of Say It (Over And Over Again), by Karrin Allyson, on Ballads. Pardon me while I go back and listen to that one again .....

This album hypnotizes the listener into a fantasy world rife with dreamy, sensory music and lyrics, juxtaposed against a carnival-like, Bavarian-folk-song playfulness. Totally unexpected; unlike anything else currently produced. Whole album is great, with stars like "Wonderland." Several videos of their songs available to view up on YouTube.

I absolutely adore this album! The music is soooo happy! I didn't know that this type of music existed.

It reminds me of the circus somehow. My daughter in law said that it reminds her of a Tim Burton movie if he were to make a happy movie. You cannot listen to this and be in a bad mood. I heard "Lorca and the Orange Tree" on a web-based music link at work and I was enchanted by that song. When I listened to samples of the other tracks on Amazon.com I had to get my hands on that piece of work. I listen to it frequently because it puts me in such a good mood. This is certainly not music you can cry to. I look forward to getting more of the Mummers' music in the future. Unique stuff.

This knocked me out when I heard it. I sample quite a bit of pop music. Almost never do I hear anything I consider interesting or new, but "Tale to Tell" is it. Wonderful orchestration, intelligent lyrics, strong vocals from Raisa. If you have any feeling for European pop from the Piaf era, you should give this a try.

I got some of there music on my phone and feel in love with them, so I bought the cd and it is one of my favorite cds I have. yes I still run on cds not i pods!!! But the music is fun and sweet, every time I hear a song I feel like I'm in a fairytale, with princesses and fairy people! Her voice is unique, and lovely to listen to. The horns and bass got me hooked as soon as I heard the first 2 seconds. I recommend this cd.

I recently saw this lady doing a couple of tunes on Later with Jools Holland (Ovation). I had never heard of her but was instantly mesmerized by her performances and watched the DVR recording two or three times and then bought this album. Here's a group that is so far removed from current music trends, it's totally refreshing and ear-catching. The most obvious vocal comparison is Bjork, although not on all tunes, and that's where the similarity ends (I have never been able to get into Bjork's music but I dig the Mummers!). On other tracks, her vocal style is somewhat torchy jazz backed by a big tent circus sound with horns, cello, violin - hard to describe, you really have to hear it to appreciate it. In summary, if you're burned out on modern bands & artists and just want to hear something totally different, check out The Mummers. Very rarely, a group or artist comes along with something that really stands out from the pack but is completely brilliant. And also very rarely do I buy a disc that makes me excited about playing it many times, for several days in a row. This is one of those rare times. Just don't expect rock music - this ain't that, but that doesn't keep it from being a real joy to listen to. Perhaps my favorite release this year (and keep your eye on this group in 2010!)

It is hard to describe how utterly original the sound of this group is.

As the previous reviewer has stated, they sound unlike anyone else out there.

I highly recommend this recording!