The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers

by Valerie June

Overview

On her previous record, The Order of Time, Valerie June created an ethereal space where her thoughts and philosophies mingled in a poetic tangle of earthy dream-folk and windblown soul. Based in Brooklyn but hailing from Memphis, June's music rose out of a tapestry of American roots traditions that she has since elevated and, in the case of 2021's The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, transcended. Ambling with guitar in hand down creative paths less taken, she and co-producer Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys) have captured a rare gem of heartfelt expression and sweet liminality. Like a modern-day Astral Weeks, The Moon and Stars filters the familiar and organic through a celestial veil with June serving as medium between the spiritual and corporeal worlds. In the creak and lull of her entrancing vocals, she nimbly threads the spaces between joy, wonder, and longing on airy highlights like "Stay," "You and I," and "Fallin'." Even in the more substantive arrangements of songs like the brass-driven "Stardust Scattering" or the Carla Thomas-assisted soul romp "Call Me a Fool," there's a gossamer elegance mixed with the heady thrill of experimentation. Almost conceptual in format, short interstitial tracks connect longer ones with trilling flutes, chimes, and ornate chamber-pop string sections woven throughout the LP. Despite its loose infatuation with late-'60s psychedelia, occasional dalliances with modern electronic sounds, and myriad of other sonic touchstones, its essence remains timeless and pliable. Even better, June's knack for textural ambience is always at the service of her lovingly crafted songwriting. A standout among her already impressive catalog, The Moon and Stars is utterly beguiling with a luster that only deepens with repeated spins. ~ Timothy Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	03/19/2021
Label:	Concord / Fantasy
UPC:	0888072214750

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Valerie June   Primary Artist,Banjo,Vocals,Tibetan Bowls,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Carla Thomas   Primary Artist,Drums,Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Mavis Staples   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jason DiMatteo   Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Bass,Piano,Double Bass
Josh Lattanzi   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Kaveh Rastegar   Double Bass,Bass (Upright),Bass (Electric)
Marika Hughes   Cello
Philip Lassiter   Trumpet
Jack Splash   Drums,Mbiri,Piano,Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes,Guitar (Electric)
Mazz Swift   Viola,Violin
Greg Wieczorek   Drums,Percussion
Justin Lucas   Banjo,Guitar (Electric)
Dan Iead   Banjo,Pedal Steel,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Scott Klarman   Soprano,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone),Flute
Jennifer Puckett   Viola
Davey Chegwidden   Percussion
Dwayne Bennett   Piano,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond)
David Chiverton   Drums
Humberto Ibarra   Percussion
Dave Sherman   Organ,Piano,Fender Rhodes,Organ (Hammond)
Eric Escanes   Guitar (Electric)
Carlin White   Drums
Leon Silva   Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Ryan Spraker   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)
Alex Wasily   Trombone
Jessica Munson   Viola,Violin
Pete Remm   Mellotron,Organ (Hammond)
Albert Allenback   Flute,Bamboo Flute
Andy Yu   Violin
Wayne Perry   Trombone
Alfred Rutherford Jr.   Organ,Mellotron,Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond)
Charlie Culbert   Drums
Ted Zimmerman   Trumpet
Jonathan Kirkscey   Cello
Carlos Guzman   Bass,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Stephen Foster   Composer
Greg Calbi   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Lester Snell   Arranger
John Lennon   Composer
Charles Burst   Assistant Engineer
Nick Drake   Composer
Matt Denham   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Matt Marshall   A&R
Jack Splash   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Photography,Drum Programming,Horn Arrangements,Recording Producer
Danny Day   Photography
Boo Mitchell   Assistant Engineer
Kenny Takahashi   Mixing
Kevin Morris   Management
Ken Takahashi   Mixing
Carrie Smith   Design,Art Direction
Phil English   Engineer,Recording
Valerie June   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Drum Programming,Assistant Engineer,Recording Producer
Ian Mercel   Engineer,Recording
Ben Rice   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Drum Programming,Assistant Engineer,Recording Producer
Nate Erwin   Management
Seth Presant   Assistant Engineer
Wesley Graham   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Renata Raksha   Photography
Tommy Kha   Photography
Drew Arndt   Assistant Engineer
Charlie Culbert   Assistant Engineer
David Adcock   Management
Carly Cristello   Photography