VAN WINKLE Concept Recording
Van Winkle a folk musical
is a new musical retelling of the classic American tale of ‘Rip Van Winkle’ by Washington Irving, with music & lyrics by
Caroline Wigmore
, arrangements by
Jen Green
, and featuring an international cast including Daniel Greco, Rachel Kurtz, and Noel Harron, Jennifer Hepburn, Joel Hutchings, Adam Leonard-Burns, David Mckechnie, Claire Sharpe.
The score captures a sense of Americana, blending folk, gospel, jazz, delta blues and the American singer-songwriter tradition. Julian Woolford (musical writer and author of ‘How Musicals Work and How to Write Your Own’) describes the piece as a
"delightfully fresh approach to the well-known tale,"
and David Spencer (author of ‘The Musical Theatre Writer's Survival Guide’) describes Wigmore & Green’s collaboration
"Collectively and individually their voices are distinct and adventurous, without cost to accessibility, bold melodic shape and clean storytelling."
TRACK LISTING
- This New World
Company - The Harvest Song
Company - Watching The Door
Rachel Kurtz - A Life Out There
Daniel Greco - These Old Bones
Noel Harron & Adam Leonard-Burns - Take A Drink, Van Winkle
David Mckechnie, Noel Harron, Adam Leonard-Burns & Company - Rest In Peace
Company - Mighty Fine House
Daniel Greco & Company - Old Man Winter
Joel Hutchings, Claire Sharpe & Company - Susanna
Daniel Greco - I'm Home
Daniel Greco & Rachel Kurtz - The Dinner Blessing
Company
Released 4th November 2013 - Catalogue No: SimGR- CD018
LISTEN NOW... to a selection of tracks from the album
REVIEWS...
"Caroline Wigmore’s gorgeous-sounding take on the Washington Irving tale … a lush blend of folk, bluegrass, and gospel to savor"
Broadway Direct
"stunning orchestrations throughout and the music is very clever … the recording is produced to a very high standard … original and authentic"
BroadwayWorldUK
"a deliciously original piece of musical theatre, in every sense of the word … Rachel Kurtz is a one of the highlights of the album … ‘Susanna’ is a beautifully moving song … If you like ‘Once’ or ‘The Lord of the Rings Musical’, you will almost certainly like Van Winkle … a very strong offering from SimG and ultimately a feel good production"
The Public Reviews
"a well recorded release and extremely well orchestrated … . 'Watching The Door' is a beautiful ballad and well delivered … 'Take A Drink’ invokes a great atmosphere … the accompanying booklet is very informative, necessary for a concept album. I admire SimG not only for the quality of their releases, but also for the diverse nature of the material."
Review Graveyard
