ABOUT THIS ALBUM Album Notes Tom Proutt and Emily Gary, singer/songwriters known as the duo “Tom and Emily,” have beautifully and respectfully translated the poetry of Margaret Wise Brown to music in a way that will captivate listeners of all ages. Using the language of voice and instrumentation, they’ve created a soundscape that’s joyful and gentle, fanciful and fun. A NOTE FROM THE MUSICIANS “Some fine day, just run away / To a long unscheduled day.” These words set the stage perfectly for this collection of poems and songs by Margaret Wise Brown about nature and the change of seasons. The percussionist’s use of brushes in the first song, “To a Child,” evokes the image of a young explorer shuffling down a street, ready to experience all that the outdoors has to offer. Through a child’s eyes and imagination, we visit a world of animals and plants and seasons in Nature Songs. With mindful awareness of the stillness that can exist in nature, the song “Quiet in the Wilderness” invites us to pay attention to sounds “far from the noises of machines and men” in the midst of “the silence all around.” A spotlight shines on the noisiness amidst the quiet. Margaret Wise Brown’s vivid yet spare lyrics allow freedom for the musician. “Love Song of the Little Bear” is written with romantic interwoven guitar tracks. The tempo and use of pedal steel connote a sense of melancholy in “Cherry Tree.” A joyful harmonica accentuates the festive dance feel of “Bunny Jig.” Margaret Wise Brown’s writing lends itself so easily to these sounds, opening the door to the world of childhood with all its magic, wonder, playfulness, possibility, and curiosity. This serves us, the musicians, well as we create songs that help to bring these poems to life. It has been an honor to work on this project alongside a group of very talented musicians. We are hopeful that a new generation of children will come to know and love the works of Margaret Wise Brown through reading her wonderful poems and listening to the songs inspired by each of them. —Tom Proutt & Emily Gary This album was originally a companion CD to the book A CELEBRATION OF THE SEASONS:GOODNIGHT SONGS by Margaret Wise Brown, published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Text and lyrics © 2015 by Hollins University. Music © 2015 by Proutt and Gary. Performed by Tom Proutt and Emily Gary. CD label illustration © 2015 by Mick Wiggins. Album cover design by Merideth Harte. All rights reserved.