“The Great American Songbook.” It’s a phrase that’s used
to refer to the songs of the great composers and lyricists
of the first half of the 20th century...a time when writers
wrote, and singers sang. But what about the work of the
great songwriters of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s — the singer/songwriters, whose recordings of their own material are
etched in our minds as deeply as the songs themselves?
Aren’t their songs as much a part of the Great American
Songbook as those of Gershwin, Berlin and Porter?
This is
the question that gave rise to “Cover Stories,” the thrilling
new concert series celebrating the albums that launched the
careers of the major singer/songwriters from the late 50’s to
the present. Faithful to the spirit of the original recordings,
but featuring new
vocal and band
arrangements
performed by
a repertory
company of firstrate
New York
and Nashville
musicians, “Cover
Stories” will also
be available in an
expanded version
for full symphony
orchestra.
Produced by Ligeti Artists and theshowstore.com,
the series is the brainchild of Peter Ligeti, in collaboration
with music director, featured artist, and two-time Tony nominated
actor Bob Stillman. Some concerts feature
complete start-to-finish renditions of an artist’s breakthrough
album; others take the form of an overview of his or her
body of work. But each presentation captures the spirit of
the original recordings while re-imagining the songs for new
voices. This is no mere ‘tribute” series. It’s a celebration of
songs that — though they may be linked in our minds with
that one original recording — really belong to all of us, the
way great songs always have.
Sweet Baby James:
The Music of James Taylor
— A generation of singer/musicians influenced
by James Taylor pays tribute to him
with their versions of his classic bittersweet
country rock songs built around love,
friendship, loss and life, including “Sweet
Baby James,” “Sunny Skies,” “Steamroller,”
“Blossom,” “Oh, Susannah,” and “Fire And
Rain.” A fitting “hats off” to one of the
greatest song stylists of the 20th century. (Company of seven including Piano/synth, guitar, bass, drums,
cello & vocals.)
Blue:
The Music
of Joni Mitchell
— Cover Stories’ tribute to Joni Mitchell, focuses
on music from the first phase of Joni’s
career. Taking its title from her landmark
1970 album, the concert presents “Blue” in
its entirety, along with many other favorites
from her other early albums (“Song To a
Seagull,” “Clouds,” “Ladies of the Canyon,”
“For the Roses” and “Court and Spark.”)
Joni’s exquisitely crafted words and music
shine in this intimate, acoustic concert. (Company of six including piano, two female vocal/guitarists, and backing vocals.)
Country Roads:
The Music of John Denver & Dan Fogelberg
— The songs of John Denver and Dan Fogelberg
have a special association with Colorado and
the Rocky Mountains. In very different ways,
these two troubadours epitomized the singersongwriter
movement of the 70’s that grew out
of the folk scene of the previous decades. Denver’s
songs are often celebrations of the natural
beauty of the Rockies; Fogelberg’s more often
tell complex stories of personal relationships.
But the sound common to both, based on
acoustic guitar and featuring a soaring tenor
voice, is the sound of an era that re-discovered
the romance of natural America. (Company of six including Piano/synth, guitar,
bass, drums, and violin/multi-instrumentalist.)
"Awe-inspiring!"
_Variety
"Excellent!" _New York Times
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Sweet Baby James:
The Music of James Taylor 
