[.ca] Peter & Wendy

From Amazon.com:
The soundtrack to a staged version of J.M. Barrie's classic Peter Pan, this has some marvelous compositions and fiddle playing from former Silly Wizard man Johnny Cunningham, along with Solas's Seamus Egan and fellow Alula artists Jamshied Sharifi and singer Susan McKeown. Cunningham is so well versed in the Scots tradition that his original material sounds as if it should be part of the tradition. His playing throughout is never less than exquisite, a reminder that the man truly is a virtuoso--which is also true of McKeown's vocals. The songs, obviously, pertain to the story, but even so, they shine with sheer class and a real Celtic feel, setting them apart from the wannabes and Celtoids that have crept out of the woodwork in recent years. Add to that a beautiful boxed presentation, and you have a complete winner. --Chris Nickson

This disc never leaves my ipod:
I had this CD for a year before I ever saw the show-- I am a fan of Celtic Music, and had seen Johnny play with his brother Phil at Symphony Space in NY (a major reunion for which I flew 1000 miles). All I can say is if enjoy Celtic music, don't miss this album. It is gorgeous, evocative, heartbreaking. Don't imagine this is "kids' music"-- some of it is funny-- but it is also witty and sorrowful, like Barrie's novel on which it is based. (J.M. Barrie was Scottish, by the way) I am a tough theatre critic (I work in theatre) and I couldn't believe how moved I was when I did get to see the show, which is resourceful, innovative and utterly breathtaking. The interweaving of the music with the story (told via Bunraku puppets and limber puppeteers, and one incredible actress, Karen Kandel, doing all the voices) was seamless. A show as close to perfect as any I've seen. Celtic fans may remember Johnny Cunningham from his days with Silly Wizard. He's a master fiddler, but this album demonstrates his brilliance as a composer. Haunting and unforgettable.

Enchanting:
After hearing the sound samples on this page, I had to buy the CD. The music is absolutely beautiful. Track 15 ("Neverbird") is the most beautiful melody I've ever heard. If you are a fan of celtic music, this recording is right for you.

Cunningham captures the essence of a warm summer night...:
... even in the middle of winter. I just got back from seeing "Peter & Wendy" in its current run on Broadway. It is one of the most intensely beautiful productions that I have seen in New York, and arguably the most faithful adaptation of J.M. Barrie's novel ever created. It rescues Peter Pan from the generations of Disney-fied preciousness with which he has become laden over the years. For me, Cunningham's lush score bottles the essence of hunting for fireflies at dusk in the back yard in June. It is truly evocative of the mysteries and the haunting wonder of youth. Highly recommended.

A wonderful album:
This is an absolutely beautiful CD, with touching, almost heart wrenching, masterfully crafted songs that are a wonderful tribute to Barrie and to the traditional Scottish music upon which the music is based. It is not all serious, the "Crocodile Tango" is hilarious! It is doubly poignant now that Johnny Cunningham has left us ( he died in December '03 at the age of 46, I believe). I had the privilege to see Johnny Cunningham & Susan McKeown perform some of these these wonderful songs in concert just weeks before his death. I feel honored I was able to see the two perform in person twice though I was unable to make it to the stage show of "Peter and Wendy"- according to the staff person we spoke to they were planning to produce it and take it on tour again before Mr. Cunningham passed away. So for those of you who loved the show, Barrie's books, or loved the music of these two talented Traditional musicians and have not heard this album, buy it now while it is still available. Very highly recommended- it has an unearthly quality that will leave you spellbound.

A RARE JEWEL:
I had the rare pleasure of seeing Mr. Cunningham and Ms. McKeowen perform much of this material at a small pub in Houston a few years ago. When the final song was done there was a profound still hush as everyone in the full house sat in awe. They had created a magical timeless space, and we were all spellbound. This CD captures that magic beautifully. This whole production, with its lovely music, lyrics, playing and boxed packaging is quite a work of love. Based on the further thoughts of J.M.Barrie contained in "Peter and Wendy", which he wrote about 9 years after the phenominally successful "Peter Pan" in an attempt to capture a fuller picture of what it is to parent (wanting to get beyond the popular superficial acceptance of the story to reveal the darker side to the experience of Neverland...), this feels like the complete and authentic version. This is such a beautiful production. The instrumentation here is top-notch. The music and lyrics are tender and heatbreaking, sweet and clear, light and yet also weighty. This is both a labour of love as well as a gift of love. It makes me feel whole and complete, as a child, adult and parent, in one big bittersweet soft and intricate tangle. Thank You Johnny, well done man!

• Two Is the Beginning of the End/On These Magic Shores \oInstrumental\c
• Nana's Walkabout
• Memories to Bed
• Darling's Waltz
• Star Lullabye
• Shadow Dance
• Stories to Tell
• Flight
• Landing
• Pirates!
• Crocodile Tango
• Wendy House
• Wolves of Neverland
• Mermaids
• Neverbird
• Tinkerbell's Warning
• Light That Beauteous Flame
• Duel
• Lost Boys Lament
• Two Is the Beginning of the End