Get all 11 Mary Crowell releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Six, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Five, I Have Missed You at My Table, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Four, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Three, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Two, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year One, Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour, and 3 more.
1. |
Coffee Cantata
02:31
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Coffee Cantata Welcome Song
Copyright 2012 by Mary Crowell
This is the song that all new barristas have to memorize at Coffee Cantata.
Felix does not enforce this. His office manager does.
Come to the
Coffee Cantata!
You know you really oughta
Sit down have a cup of Joe!
Comfy chairs and fiddle
Stop by and play a little
You’re gonna hear someone you know.
Here we worship the Mighty Bean!
Music’s good, and the place is clean!
Playwright’s write and the actors preen.
Listen or sing along.
Our patrons are of all kinds
But artists love our coarse grinds
Join us in a cup of Joe!
Napkins here to write on;
We always leave the light on
And listen to your tales of woe.
Our fine shop has the finest brew
Arabica that’s filtered through
Sugar, cream, and good paper too.
A fine place to write a song
[Instrumental Verse X2]
Cross Cromb Bridge where the mooples bide
Tritone Street on the other side
On the left and we’re bonafide
Coffee is hot and strong.
[Repeat 1st two verses and 1st chorus]
Listen or sing along.
A fine place to write a song
Coffee is hot and strong.
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2. |
Fairest of Them All
04:09
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Fairest of the Them All
Copyright 2012 by Mary Crowell
You woke me up from a happy ever after.
“Wakey wakey to a true love’s kiss.”
My dreams full of red apples, love, and laughter.”
Why do prizes always end up this?
The rose is red, but the thorns they would protect me,
Their praises always go unsung.
Sleeping safe though outside the briars are bleeding
All alone, but I’m forever young.
Chorus:
Apples, jealousy, and sleep,
Roses, mirrors, and secrets deep.
When I dream, I dream and weep.
I dream I’m the Fairest of them all.
How ‘bout them? Yes, Honey. How about them apples?
Lose the race and then a lioness be.
Golden skin. See the beauty of reflection
Taste it sweetie, immortality.
Chorus
Bridge:
Happy Ever After? Happy Ever After? Then why am I so sad?
Happy Ever After? Happy Ever After? Dammit! Why am I so mad?
And Ev’ry girl is a gleaming, golden goddess.
Every goddess is a lovely mess.
Discord’s prize, Poor ol’ Paris picked the hottest.
Stole his Helen, Aphrodite bless.
Chorus X2
[Then]
I dream I’m the Fairest of them all.
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3. |
Patchwork Cliché
06:10
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Patchwork Cliché
Copyright 2007 by Mary Crowell
“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,”
They said that when I was young.
Mine is the body taken today
Cut from the ropes where it hung, it hung.
Cut from the ropes where it hung.
“Why buy the cow if milk is free?”
Her mother would scold her and cry.
She didn’t hear her mother or me.
He stabbed her and left her to die, to die.
He stabbed her and left her to die.
Chorus:
The arms of her killer,
Brain of her lover,
She I’ll remember
And never recover.
I am a patchwork –
Betrayer, betrayed;
Of both the bereaved
And a murderer made.
“Never a woman shall you trust,”
I heard from my Pa as a girl.
I loved her truly. He killed for lust
And took from me my only pearl, pearl.
And took from me my only pearl.
“Dead men are silent. They carry no tales,”
They said as they looked hard at me.
The men and the women in funeral veils.
They wouldn’t believe it was he, was he.
They wouldn’t believe it was he.
Chorus
“In for a penny; in for a pound,”
I told him as I came to call.
He’d left her bleeding, clutching the ground.
I shot him dead by the wall, the wall.
I shot him dead by the wall.
“Tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye,”
They said. Then I ate my last meal.
My body just placed in the grave to lie
Was there for the scientist to steal, to steal.
Was there for the scientist to steal.
Chorus
“There is a monster inside everyone,”
They’ve said this. I’ve heard it before.
Fool of a doctor can’t know what he’s done.
The mind and the arms are at war, at war.
The mind and the arms are at war.
“Death is an ending for body and mind,”
I’ve heard, “And the soul -- it departs.”
I and my enemy’s fates intertwined.
The doctor cares naught for my heart, my heart.
The doctor cares naught for my heart.
Chorus
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4. |
He Asked Me
03:42
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He asked me
Copyright 2010 by Mary Crowell
He asked me “Mary, are you happy?”
“Why do you always look so sad?”
I said, “Papa, don’t know.
“I’m feeling old,
And god, it just hurts so bad.”
He asked, me “Mary, where you going?
“I tend to worry you’ll be poor.
“Write a CV or
A resume
Your future good to assure.
CHORUS:
I got to write more songs
The only thing that keeps me sane
Keeps my mind, where it belongs
‘Stead of dwelling on the rain.
[Instrumental on verse chord changes]
Chorus
He asked me “Mary, are you happy?”
“’Cause I think I might be sad.”
I said, “Papa, you know
“We’re getting old,
And god, it just hurts so bad.”
He told me, “Mary, girl you know I love you,”
“’Want to know you won’t be sad.”
I said, “Papa I know
“We’re getting old,
And god, I just love , I just love.
God, I just love my Dad.”
He asked me “Mary, are you happy?”
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5. |
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Scattering Seeds
on the Pomegranate Tour
Copyright 2013 by Mary Crowell
Intro:
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Ladies
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!] X2
Verse:
Scattering seeds on the Pomegranate Tour
Niflheim, Hades will love us all for sure
Peppermint Ladies both wicked and demure
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Formerly known as Persephone Dear
Flowers won’t keep her, nor mother’s nagging tears.
Peppermint Ladies will buy her time and beers,
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Bridge 1:
Gala-te -a has got up and left (got up and left)
Tired of be -ing perfect.
Her Pyg-ma-lion his chisel in hand, Standing bereft.
She's signing all our concerts with ivory hands
On a pedestal, watch her show a tale, sit a spell.
Love, Love, Love, Peppermint.
Peppermint, Peppermint, Peppermint Love!
Verse:
Scattering seeds on the Pomegranate Tour
Muses and mythical entrepreneurs,
Peppermint Ladies, display haute couture
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Weaving our costumes Arachne has a loom.
Sweet Ariadne will lure you to your doom.
Peppermint Ladies have trashed their locker room
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Bridge 2:
Now Hel is other people on stage (people on stage)
Tired of be -ing normal
People want to go out with a sword, Killed in a rage
If only they could see there’s no victory,
Live it happily. Older people have mystery.
Love, Love, Love, Peppermint.
Peppermint, Peppermint, Peppermint Love!
Verse:
Echo runs sound on the Pomegranate Board,
Mistress of reverb, no longer ignored.
Peppermint Ladies she’s loved and adored
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Bridge 3: [Don’t sing. Play instrumental instead.]
Idunn’s come to travel with us (She caught a bus!)
Tired of ne -ver leaving.
Folks at home always keeping her safe, making a fuss.
Her apples are so sweet, and they keep us young.
Praises we have sung; slip a little tongue; she’s among
Love, Love, Love, Peppermint.
Peppermint, Peppermint, Peppermint Love!
Verse:
Scattering seeds on the Pomegranate Tour
Niflheim Hades will love us all for sure
Peppermint La-dies both wicked and demure
All of us dancing and singing our songs, Mmm Peppermint Ladies,
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!
Outro:
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Ladies
Mmm Mmm Peppermint Love!] X2
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6. |
Courting My Muse
04:54
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Courting My Muse
Copyright 2003 by Mary Crowell
Verse
There is a tale of a man who got to listen to
Songs of the sirens. He lived through the day.
And I---- I wanna be that man.
There is a tale of a man who got to visit with his
Love down in Hades through the power of his Song.
And I---- I wanna hear that man.
Chorus 1
I cast my rose petals under your shoes.
I’ll serve you sips of the sweetest of juice.
Nothing’s too much when I’m courting my muse
If you’ll sing------ to me.
Verse
I am the sort who would think it worth the danger to lay
Down on the crossroads, to hear the Fairies sing,
And stay---- for a year and a day.
The song's the bait that is always proven Fatal, helps
The man find his mate, or leaves my mind a crazy state
And long----ing for the Sing of that Song.
Chorus 2:
I hear the magic that music imbues
In notes you sing and the rhythm you choose.
I fall in love when I’m court-ing my muse,
When you sing------ to me.
[Instrumental]
Bridge
Euterpe, Calliope,
Thalia, Terpsichore,
Clio, Melpommene,
Erato, and Urania,
Polyhymnia!
And you are number ten.
Oh, play some music! Calm my savage beast! Make it
Roar down the mountain.
‘Wanna live inside the sound!
I love---- the tune that takes me above.
Oh, carry me to a place within my dreams! Make me
Hunger for modal strains—sweet harmonies.
Your song---- brings me to my knees.
Chorus 2
When you sing------ to me.
There is a tale of a man who got to listen to
Songs of the sirens.
He lived through the day.
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7. |
Pandora's Box
03:30
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Pandora's Box
Copyright 2009 by Mary Crowell
I heard you sneaking up in dirty old socks
There's evil things inside that basket.
I'll need a safe -- I'll need a door that locks.
Keep your greedy little fingers off Pandora's box.
[Piano echoes last line.]
Chorus:
I'll put her treasure out of reach
Although you beg and bribe, beseech.
There's only one way I could teach
You not to open the box,
[Piano echoes previous line.]
And that's to let you
Which I will not do.
Keep your greedy little fingers off Pandora's box.
[Piano echoes last line.]
[Instrumental Interlude]
Verse
'Thought I should say, before you went too far,
There is a reason for that casket.
You say you met her in Olympus Bar?
Keep your sticky little fingers off Pandora's jar.
Chorus
Does songs of love and plays the flute,
She thinks your goatee looks so cute;
I know you wish I were a mute.
Please, friend, don't open the jar,
Your lovely houri's
Vengeful dowry.
Keep your sticky little fingers off Pandora's jar.
Verse
"Perhaps a quiz," you say, "A lover's test?"
"There is no need to blow a gasket."
I won't give up until I've been a pest.
Keep your roving little fingers off Pandora's chest.
Chorus
You asked her "Please?" and she said "Nope."
You disobey, we lose all hope.
Find some distracting way to cope.
No need for grabbing the chest.
I've mentioned nightly.
I've asked politely,
Keep your roving little fingers off Pandora's chest.
[Reprise First Verse]
Keep your sticky little fingers off Pandora's jar.
Keep your roving little fingers off Pandora's chest.
Keep your greedy little fingers off Pandora's box.
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8. |
Goliards
04:23
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Goliards
Copyright 2013 by Mary Crowell
Carried on legs made from iron and from magic
Fleeing the towns with the flu hemorrhagic
Here we go…., Here we go…… Here we go, goliards.
We are a school and museum and a brain trust
Our world is dying and scholars we fain must
Live like crows, live like crows, live like crows, goliards.
Chorus:
Scholars, Engineers, and Bards,
Wand’ring the remnants and shards
Goliards.
Machines and people working hard.
Gears click and whir as the golems repair it.
Wiring kept safe by the cats and the ferret
Still we slow, still we slow, still we slow, goliards.
Wander the world in a time capsule lonely,
Remember how it was like in the only
World we know, world, we know, world we know, goliards.
Chorus
Musicians sing the perfection to move chains.
Technicians keep people young ‘til rejuv drains
Fail to flow, fail to flow, fail to flow, goliards.
Suit up and teach, then move on to the next town.
We flee from fools with their guns and their gold crowns,
Glowing snow, glowing snow, glowing snow, goliards.
Chorus X2
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9. |
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Jazz & Mai (Raven May Waltz)
Copyright 2013 by Mary Crowell
A clarinet and an upright bass,
My pretty girl with her borrowed face,
We’re dancing close, and I kiss her hair—smell
Cotton candy ashes—we’re a perfect pair.
I love my Daye—we dance at night,
Close our eyes, and we cuddle tight.
The music swells—we hear the strings.
I’ll hold her close in mid- night wings.
Chorus:
O Love, let’s dance!
We live with hope, so never fear to fly.
Omens are a second chance.
And symbols never die.
Bridge:
We dance ‘til the dawn that destroys all lies,
Dance to our heart’s content- ment.
Pandora plays her music box—Waltz
Round and around in a cir- cle.
Chorus
My barefoot girl in her velvet dress
I fear for her--I must confess
Her amber eyes may close for good.
There are those who’d hurt us—if they could.
My darling raven, come what may.
I’ll love you always—night or day.
Though powers old pull puppet strings
My mem’ries full of little wings.
Chorus [2X]
And symbols never die.
And symbols always lie.
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10. |
Remember Mister
03:52
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Remember Mister
Copyright 2009 by Mary Crowell
Verse
Remember Mister, when you court her,
It’s getting cold. The days are shorter.
I’m having trouble painting rainbows –
My palette’s gone to gray;
So little left of day,
And Winter’s coming for your vain rose.
[Instrumental Interlude]
Verse
Some people like to blame the season
Ask why their lovers’ hearts are freezin’.
The shadows here are growing stronger.
The artist sees at noon
That night is coming soon.
We’re only here a little longer.
Chorus:
Gather up your rosebuds,
and enjoy your day!
Scatter all the petals behind.
The pinks and blues of summer
will be going away –
They flee the winter, unkind.
Verse
I think I’ll take a little nap here.
I’m waiting for the spring to snap, dear.
It’s just the outlines I’ve been inking
But colors run and fade;
They flee before the shade.
The ruddy sun outside is sinking.
[Instrumental Interlude]
Chorus
Verse
The spring is cruel and not forgiving,
But still she lets me know I’m living.
Remind myself when it is colder
It’s important that we learn
That summer will return
And just as warm when we are older.
Reprise First Verse
Winter’s coming for your vain rose.
Winter’s coming for your vain rose.
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11. |
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Meet me at the Labyrinth Plinth
Copyright 2016 by Mary Crowell
Chorus:
Meet me at the Labyrinth Plinth
We’re gonna leave the bull behind.
Meet me at the Labyrinth Plinth
For the best drinking you’ll never find.
Verse One:
That man, did he just string you along
Spinning you a yarn or a line?
What’s left when three rights make a wrong?
Darlin’, have some fruit of the vine.
Out of spirits or crème d’menthe?
Life is cruel to the ‘nth.’
Why not try the Labyrinth?
Oh yeah! ah-huh-huh!
Chorus
Verse Two:
Medusa brought a statue along
Carrying a base* and guitar.
Set up with an amp and a song
Galatea’s rocking the bar.
Out of spirits or crème d’menthe?
Life is cruel to the ‘nth.’
We’re singing at the Labyrinth.
Oh yeah! ah-huh-huh!
Chorus
Verse Three:
He left when you had fallen asleep.
You'd pitied him and gave him a clew.
“Get Lost,” you said when he came to weep.
Darlin’, to your vino be true.
Out of spirits or crème d’menthe?
Life is cruel to the ‘nth.’
But how ‘bout that Labyrinth?
Oh yeah! ah-huh-huh!
Chorus X2
For the best drinking you’ll never find.
For the best drinking you’ll never find.
*Yes, yes. Bass. But she is a statue.
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12. |
October in July
05:15
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October in July
Copyright 2010 by Mary Crowell
She said,
“Autumn is a scent. It’s carried on the breeze.
I smell October in the rotting leaves –
July in Alabama falling yellow from the trees
Catch on the thready webs the Orb spider weaves.
If you haven’t done your weeding the grass has gotten thick.
Bermuda’s never yielded to the sharpest pick.
Tomatoes getting red now, sagging on the vine.
Noon will last forever in the dread sunshine.”
She said,
“Autumn is the dark. I see it in the shade.
I see October in the shadows on the clay.
July in Alabama, all our colors start to fade
Bleaching in the burning sun’s white-out day.
If you haven’t picked the melons, haven’t looked at all
By now they’ve over-ripened. The asparagus is tall.
Bugs are growing big now hiding in the vine.
Noon will last forever in the dread sunshine.”
Bridge:
I said,
“The hummingbird is still here flying,”
And I heard from her a-no denying.
“I think the summer here is dying
Though it seems to want to stay awhile.”
And I swear I think I saw her smile
She said
“Autumn is a laughter. It’s flying on the wind.
I hear October though his chuckle’s kind of thin.
July in Alabama fights for summer ‘til the end;
Season’s wheel is creakin’ round to Fall yet again.
If you haven’t thinned the peaches; there are branches on the ground.
The grapes are getting ripe now by the bushel and the pound.
If you listen you can hear them sweeten on the vine.
Noon will last forever in the dread sunshine.”
Bridge:
I told her,
“Everything is gonna rot.
Enjoy the blessings you have got.
Life burn’s quickly. Life burns hot.
And Summer goes away too soon,
Then Autumn sings a darker tune.”
She said,
“Autumn is the cool raising goosebumps on my arm
I feel October though the evening’s still too warm.
July in Alabama, corn’s an ocean on the farm
Gilding days in August with a Midas charm.
If you haven’t cut the blossoms, your basil’s gone to seed.
It’s time to pick black berries ‘til your fingers bleed.
Better water all your veggies or they’ll shrivel on the vine.
Noon will last forever in the dread sunshine.”
She said,
“Autumn is a scent. It’s carried on the breeze.
I smell October in the rotting leaves –"
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13. |
When You Go
05:20
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When You Go
Copyright 2004 by Mary Crowell
When you go, take your nettles and flowers.
When you go, take the girl with no voice.
When you go, take your long hair and your tower.
You are going; you say it’s your choice.
As you go,
I’ll be watching and waiting.
As you go,
You’ll be walking alone.
As you go, there’s a tale they’re relating.
You are leaving the stories you have known.
Chorus:
While you seek
Waking dreams made of flesh,
Take a peek
Your net harbors treasure in the mesh.
And I wish you good luck and good travel,
And I wish you good hunting, and yet,
I do wish that when things come unravelled
You will think of the treasure in your net.
Chorus
When you go ––––
When you go ––––
When you go ––––
You are going; you say it’s your choice.
You are going; you say it’s your choice.
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14. |
Coffee With A Friend
05:14
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Coffee With a Friend
Copyright 2014 by Mary Crowell
Now here I am sipping on coffee and cream,
This Feeling—I’m caught up in some kind of dream.
I look to my left at my gloves and my hat.
My notebook is purple, the bench cold where I’ve sat.
Hmmm
Chorus:
And I have not travelled at all . . .
I thought to do something when I heard you call.
The math and the scientists say I can’t go.
I have to wait here for tomorrow. Ahhhh
Now here I am sipping on coffee with you.
I’m feeling . . . forgotten. I’m missing some clue.
I look to my left at my gloves and a cat.
My notebook is purple, the bench warm where I’ve sat.
Hmmm
Chorus:
And we have not travelled at all . . .
I’m telling you, “no,” but you still make the call.
The math and the scientists say we can’t go.
We have to stay present tomorrow. Ahhhh
Now here we are sipping on tea while we draw.
I’m feeling we’ve broken some physical law.
I look to my left at your sigils and cat,
My tentacles purple, the world burnt where I’ve sat.
Hmmm
Chorus:
And you have not travelled at all.
I thought you’d taste crunchy when I heard you call.
The math and the scientists kept telling you, “no.”
And now there will be no tomorrow. Ahhhh
[Scat Sing over Verse Chords.]
Bridge:
You blink and wake up,
And I’m left here alone.
I look down at my cup,
And I pick up my phone.
[Pause]
Now here I am sipping on coffee and cream.
This feeling . . . I’m caught up in somebody’s dream.
I look to my left at my gloves and my hat.
My notebook is purple—the chair? It’s cold where I’ve sat.
Hmmm.
Chorus:
And I have not travelled at all . . .
I thought to do something when I heard you call.
The math and the scientists say I can’t go.
I have to wait here for tomorrow. Ahhhh [Scat to end.]
Shoggo Shoggoth tekeli-li!
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Mary Crowell Athens, Alabama
Mary Crowell is a singer/songwriter and piano teacher who loves mythology and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Her Patreon is
here: www.patreon.com/DrMaryCCrowell
She may be seen at science fiction and filk conventions performing and accompanying concerts on piano and occasionally clarinet.
Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour is her third solo album and is a mythic musical journey!
... more
Mary Crowell recommends:
The lyrics are brilliant and vocal arrangements irresistible. The vocal counterpoint in “Last Spaceship,” “Common Ground,” and “Quetico” are particular favorites of mine.
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Songs of mythology, magpies, and Mal performed by a duo who have truly mastered their instruments--guitar and voice. This album is superb.
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Play It With Moxie Live!
by Play It With Moxie
Swing dance, blues, and jazz with great lyrics and energy played live to an appreciative audience! And there's a bit of the geek there too.
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I love Catherynne M. Valente, and this album is such a great tribute to the Fairyland books!
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supported by 17 fans who also own “Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour”
A silky, smooth, sultry voice weaving lyrical imagery upon a canvas of exquisite tonal contours. Immensely pleasurable. The bouncy cheer of " Little Bird" is a delightful contrast to the dusky jazz groove of this truly beautiful album. Much gratitude for you S J !
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First as Farce
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The Hein Weingard Trio mix free improvisation and controlled composition, making music for avant-garde jazz adventurers.
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