Description
John Lithgow/Bill Elliott (Performer)
The exuberant new album FARKLE & FRIENDS is a child’s guide to the orchestra with a difference. In this self-produced CD, John Lithgow performs with a full-scale symphony orchestra. Several of the songs are originals that he co-wrote with conductor Bill Elliott. Among them is “The Remarkable Farkle McBride”, the acclaimed symphonic version of the Simon & Schuster best-selling children’s book of the same name. Narrated and sung by John, the colorful piece illustrates the individual instruments of the orchestra and then brings them all together for a rousing finish. Elsewhere the orchestra backs John with lively waltzes,’30s Hollywood swing, thumping marches, and sizzling salsa. Also featured are old favorites such as “Animal Crackers In My Soup”, Irving Berlin’s “I’d Rather Lead A Band”, and Leonard Bernstein’s “Wrong Note Rag”, a duet that John sings with guest Bebe Neuwirth.
From the Artist
Do you want to waltz with a kangaroo? Sing a duet with a hippo? Hear a yak play a saxophone? Or maybe, like Farkle McBride, you’d rather just lead a band. The music on this album lets you do all of these things and more. Every note of these songs (even the wrong notes!) shows you what music can do. Music can spin a tale, tell a joke, change your mood, make you dance. It can even liven up your dog walk! I love singing these songs, and I loved making this album. My hope is that you have even more fun listening to it.
But be careful. When you waltz with a kangaroo, NEVER STEP ON ITS FEET!
John Lithgow
