Michael Smith's The Gift of the Magi
Michael Smith's The Gift of the Magi
Track Listings
| 1. We Three Kings |
| 2. Narration I |
| 3. I Wish Someone Would Take Me Dancing |
| 4. Nineteen and Five |
| 5. Gotta Like a Guy |
| 6. Long-haired Woman |
| 7. Madame Sofronie |
| 8. Troika Ride |
| 9. Pawnbroker's Lullaby |
| 10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day |
| 11. The Magi |
| 12. Narration II |
| 13. On Our Own |
| 14. Silent Night |
| 15. A Wanderer Am I |
Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Michael Smith, the lyricist, composer and featured performer of "The Gift of the Magi" has an over thirty-year history of adapting great literature into song; for theater works, publication and recording. Including scores for productions of Edgar Lee Master's "Spoon River Anthology" and John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath", (Steppenwolf Theater's Broadway hit and 1990 Tony Awardwinning play -The songs now comprise the score of a new folk opera.) Smith has adapted the poetry of Gabriela Mistral, Garcia Lorca, Ann Carson, Wallace Stevens and Tang Dynasty poets. Passages from Robert Cole's bestseller "The Spiritual Lives of Children" were transformed into the song "We Become Birds." Fairy tales also inspire his songs, he's created music for the Brother's Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. The Smith/O'Reilly Collaboration:
"Together their musical palette is pretty astonishing," said Chicago Magazine of Michael Smith and Jamie O'Reilly. They co-wrote and starred in "Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War" and "Scarlet Confessions" (based on memoir and biography). "Hello Dali," a songwriter's look at the great painters, an awardwinning musical revue, a box office hit at Victory Gardens Theater. They have created for the Chicago Humanities Festival, San Francisco's Humanities West, the Chicago Historical Society, Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago's Irish American Heritage Center, WFMT Radio's ‘Folkstage' and a host of other venues.Jamie O'Reilly (Producer, Lead vocalist, Co-Creator) is celebrated for her distinctive vocal style and powerful interpretations of folk ballads and songs for the stage. Jamie is a multifaceted performer whose broad vocal range and vibrant, soulful connection to both her repertoire and her audience has earned her a place as one of Chicago's premiere song stylists. A graduate of DePaul School of Music Chicago, Jamie has been performing and recording folk music for over 20 years, including touring ten years as lead singer with Jamie O'Reilly and the Rogues. Jamie is the owner of J. O'Reilly Productions and produces a roster of cultural arts programs and recordings. Jamie and Michael have recorded 3 CDs together, including "Swimming Deeper" and "Pasiones", both sold on AMAZON.COM
Product Description
This is a Christmas album with year long appeal. Shimmering, polished performances by the celebrated musical team of Smith and O'Reilly and a stellar musical ensemble, as they perform on 15 exciting tracks! 13 danceable tunes, written for the Svalander-Begley Americana Ballet, from waltzes to swing, a soft shoe, a foxtrot, a gypsy dance, witty novelty songs and tender love duets, all written with signature Smithish charm. Michael reads several excerpts from the O.Henry story. The CD is set in a lush and lovely Vaudeville style Old New York poster design. Songs are performed on a variety of guitars, violin, cello, bass and piano. Jamie and Michael provide the lead vocals. Recorded at Dr. Caw Recording, Northbrook, IL. Produced and distributed by J. O'Reilly Productions. The songs on the recording hearken back to the halcyon days of parlor songs and vaudeville- the pre-radio era- when novelty songs and waltzes could be heard wafting through the air in the 'tin pan alleys' of overcrowded New York City, and even the poorest of young lovers had a song in his heart! It is the story of Della-who sacrifices her long hair for Jim-who pawns his heirloom pocket-watch for Della, and it celebrates true love's triumph over adversity.
Set in an era of economic hardship and struggle -turn of the century New York City, the music draws from the rich music hall tradition that was New York in 1905. The lyrics tell of a city boasting modernization and new invention, from the trolley to the telephone and of neighborhood flats bursting with activity. They tell of the dashed dreams of wide-eyed innocents and off-the-boat immigrants, and the colorful characters they do business with: Madame Sofronie, once a gypsy princess in old Russia now relegated to making wigs for society ladies, the sly, deal-making Pawnbroker whose watches are all set to the time of President Lincoln's death, and Jim and Della, the down-on-their luck newlyweds taking refuge in the wonder of Christmas.
Michael Smith's The Gift of the Magi,Michael Smith and Jamie O'Reilly,Bird Avenue/J. O'Reilly Productions,Folk/parlor songs. 13 danceable tunes, from waltzes to swing, a soft shoe, a foxtrot, a gypsy dance, witty novelty songs and tender love duets, all written with signature (Michael) Smithish charm.
Average customer rating: 
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Michael Smith's The Gift of the Magi
Michael Smith & Jamie O'Reilly Manufacturer: Bird Avenue/J. O'Reilly Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
General
| Folk
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B00011HEZC Release Date: 2003-11-25 |
Tracks:
Album Description
This is a Christmas album with year long appeal. Shimmering, polished performances by the celebrated musical team of Smith and O'Reilly and a stellar musical ensemble, as they perform on 15 exciting tracks! 13 danceable tunes, written for the Svalander-Begley Americana Ballet, from waltzes to swing, a soft shoe, a foxtrot, a gypsy dance, witty novelty songs and tender love duets, all written with signature Smithish charm. Michael reads several excerpts from the O.Henry story. The CD is set in a lush and lovely Vaudeville style Old New York poster design. Songs are performed on a variety of guitars, violin, cello, bass and piano. Jamie and Michael provide the lead vocals. Recorded at Dr. Caw Recording, Northbrook, IL. Produced and distributed by J. O'Reilly Productions. The songs on the recording hearken back to the halcyon days of parlor songs and vaudeville- the pre-radio era- when novelty songs and waltzes could be heard wafting through the air in the 'tin pan alleys' of overcrowded New York City, and even the poorest of young lovers had a song in his heart! It is the story of Della-who sacrifices her long hair for Jim-who pawns his heirloom pocket-watch for Della, and it celebrates true love's triumph over adversity.Set in an era of economic hardship and struggle -turn of the century New York City, the music draws from the rich music hall tradition that was New York in 1905. The lyrics tell of a city boasting modernization and new invention, from the trolley to the telephone and of neighborhood flats bursting with activity. They tell of the dashed dreams of wide-eyed innocents and off-the-boat immigrants, and the colorful characters they do business with: Madame Sofronie, once a gypsy princess in old Russia now relegated to making wigs for society ladies, the sly, deal-making Pawnbroker whose watches are all set to the time of President Lincoln's death, and Jim and Della, the down-on-their luck newlyweds taking refuge in the wonder of Christmas.
Music Review:
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