Sound of Poetry

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Dave Thompson
A two-CD release for a pair of albums that British DJ/songwriter Mike Read put together around his love of the poems of Sir John Betjeman, Sound of Poetry features the Knight's words, Read's music, and a host of guest vocalists that ranges from Marc Almond and Cliff Richard to Jon Anderson, Don McLean, and even Captain Sensible. Add Steve Harley, Gene Pitney, Leo Sayer, Colin Blunstone, Donovan, and Alvin Stardust to the brew, a hit single by David Essex, and even some George Martin orchestration, and you are looking at an incredibly ambitious and beautifully realized collection, not to mention one of those extraordinarily rare moments when pop sensibility and poetic ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Dave Thompson
A two-CD release for a pair of albums that British DJ/songwriter Mike Read put together around his love of the poems of Sir John Betjeman, Sound of Poetry features the Knight's words, Read's music, and a host of guest vocalists that ranges from Marc Almond and Cliff Richard to Jon Anderson, Don McLean, and even Captain Sensible. Add Steve Harley, Gene Pitney, Leo Sayer, Colin Blunstone, Donovan, and Alvin Stardust to the brew, a hit single by David Essex, and even some George Martin orchestration, and you are looking at an incredibly ambitious and beautifully realized collection, not to mention one of those extraordinarily rare moments when pop sensibility and poetic beauty truly come together. Yes there are some moments that border on the saccharine, but there are also some incredibly stirring pieces too, highlighted by Almond's so-emotive rendering of "Narcissus" and Blunstone's characteristically lovelorn "In Memory." Thirty songs do make for a somewhat overstuffed feast, which is presumably why the two albums were originally released separately. It must also be said that disc two is considerably weaker than its twin, both in terms of performers and poems. But the overall package is an unexpected joy regardless.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/14/2008
  • Label: Angel Air
  • EAN: 5055011702882
  • Catalog Number: 288
  • Sales rank: 145,285

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 November Night - John Betjeman (3:59)
  2. 2 Narcissus - John Betjeman (5:01)
  3. 3 Farewell - John Betjeman (4:12)
  4. 4 Greenaway - John Betjeman (5:55)
  5. 5 Youth & Age - John Betjeman (4:23)
  6. 6 Pershore Station - Richard Sharp (4:33)
  7. 7 Peggy - John Betjeman (4:18)
  8. 8 Myfanwy At Oxford - John Betjeman (4:41)
  9. 9 Indoor Games - John Betjeman (5:32)
  10. 10 Moira McCavendish - John Betjeman (4:56)
  11. 11 Distant View (3:53)
  12. 12 In Memory - John Betjeman (4:12)
  13. 13 Sunday Morning - Rodolfus Choir (6:33)
  14. 14 Myfanwy - John Betjeman (4:12)
Disc 2
  1. 1 Tregardock - John Betjeman (4:14)
  2. 2 Harrow On the Hill - Steve Harley (2:40)
  3. 3 Newest Bath Guide - John Betjeman (4:08)
  4. 4 Archibald - Elliot Frisby (4:48)
  5. 5 Hunter Trials - John Betjeman (4:11)
  6. 6 Subaltern's Love Song (Joan Hunter Dunn) (3:56)
  7. 7 May Day Song For North Oxford - Eton College Chapel Choir (3:56)
  8. 8 Parliament Hill Fields - John Betjeman (3:00)
  9. 9 Slough - Ian Macnabb (3:00)
  10. 10 Nw5 8x N6 (Highgate At Eventide) - Students of Architecture (4:14)
  11. 11 Executive - John Betjeman (4:08)
  12. 12 The Fete Champetre (5:09)
  13. 13 Upper Lambourn - Cantabile (2:38)
  14. 14 Late Flowering Lust - Simon Bowman (4:12)
  15. 15 Conversion - David Grant (8:14)
  16. 16 Christmas - John Betjeman (4:18)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Mike Read Primary Artist, Background Vocals
Herbie Flowers Bass
Peter Boita Percussion, Drums
Hugh Burns Guitar
Mark David Trumpet
Cliff Hall Piano
Judd Lander Bagpipes
Tony Rivers Background Vocals
Ben Robbins Keyboards
Patmore Lewis Violin
Ralph Allwood Conductor
Simon Spiro Background Vocals
Sarah Ewins Violin
Gary Forse Piano, Keyboards
Edmund Butt Violin
Robert Max Cello
Susan Knight Viola
Cantabile Background Vocals
Anthony Thompson Background Vocals
Mike Senior Violin
Torn Tourney Guitar
Tony Rivers Group Background Vocals
Technical Credits
George Martin Orchestration
John Betjeman Composer, Poetry
Rod Edwards Producer
Mike Nocito Engineer
Gordon Vicary Mastering
Jon Sweet Producer
Mike Read Composer, Producer, Liner Notes, Executive Producer
Gerry Kitchingharn Engineer
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