Simpatico by Renee & Celebrity Friends CD and Digital Download

Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Lisa Loeb, Colin Hay, Glen Phillips, Chris Ballew, Jeremy Toback, and an assortment of other musical friends are featured on a new album Simpatico, by  Renee & Friends, a  project by Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Renee Stahl and producer Rich Jacques.

Like the critically acclaimed music of Stahl’s much-beloved family music duo, Renee & Jeremy (whom Jacques has also produced) these songs are not just for kids; they build off of hushed harmonies and reassuring lyrics about friendship and familial love.  Renee & Friends’ Simpatico is a wonderful collection of collaborations between children’s singer/songwriters you know and love.  Singer Renee Stahl continues to work with producer Rich Jacques and includes a notable array of singers, writers and performers. The songs build off of hushed harmonies to create music for children of all ages but is perfect for families and older children.  From “You Were Meant To Be” a gorgeous, star gazing folk duet with Toad The Wet Sprocket’s Glen Phillips, to the whisper soul of Prince’s “Starfish And Coffee” with Maya Rudolph of Bridesmaids fame, these collaborations are as fresh as they are kismet and beautifully on target. This record represents that perfect bridge for parents and kids, who are starting to venture out of lullabies and still want songs they can enjoy together, with lush pop sensibilities but values and sentiments less often expressed at the top of the charts. Simpatico is right!

From the first track, “Gather Round” (featuring Lisa Loeb) the warmth of these songs and voices envelopes the listener with love and reassurance. The guest roster is heartfelt and astounding, built on genuine personal relationships with the lead artists: Renee’s friend Colin Hay has a spoken word moment with “Are We There Yet?” Another friend, Maya Rudolph provides a sensitive and jaunty cover of Prince’s hit “Starfish and Coffee.” Molly Shannon, who performed with Stahl in school productions when they were growing up in Cleveland, lends her honest vocals to “Happiness,” from the “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” musical. Chris Ballew (Presidents of the USA, Casper Babypants) sings with Stahl on the symphonic anthem “I Am Not Afraid.” Stahl is a longtime fan and colleague of Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), and they co-wrote the powerful and wistful ode from a parent to child, “You Were Meant To Be.” Other guests include world music artist Tom Rossi, French bilingual artist Sophie et les Petits, and electronica star Kyler England.

Brooke’s favorite tracks on the album are “Gather Round”, a softer song sung with music legend Lisa Loeb, and “I Am Not Afraid” with one of our favorite kindie rockers, Caspar Babypants.  The album veers from the usual Renee & Jeremy lullabies while still providing a fresh take on warm and happy songs for kids with impressive musical guests.  This is definitely an album to add to your kindie collection.  Two thumbs up!

Tracking Listing

1.  “Gather Round” – Renee and Friends with Lisa Loeb
2. “You Were Meant To Be” – Renee and Friends with Glen Phillips
3. “Precious One” – Renee and Friends with Sophie et les petits
4. “Are We There Yet” – Renee and Friends with Colin Hay
5. “Starfish & Coffee” – Renee and Friends with Maya Rudolph
6. “You And Me” – Renee and Friends
7. “I Am Not Afraid” – Renee and Friends with Caspar Babypants and Rolfe Kent
8. “Happiness” – Renee and Friends with Molly Shannon
9. “Wherever You Go” – Renee and Friends with Jeremy Toback
10. “This Bright Dream ” – Renee and Friends with Tom Rossi
11. “Dream About The Moonlight” – Renee and Friends with Rich Jacques
12. “Everything Is Right Here” – Renee and Friends with Kyler England and Freckles

More about Renee Stahl and Rich Jacques

Renee Stahl is known for her distinctively rich, harmonic vocal style and original songs which resonate with intimacy, feeling and atmosphere. With Jeremy Toback, her performances with Renee & Jeremy have racked up more than 3.5 million views on YouTube, Their album It’s a Big World ranked as one of the top 50 baby music albums of all time (Babble). For Simpatico, Renee & Jeremy reunite to sing the reassuring “Wherever You Go.” Rich Jacques is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter and producer, known for his collaborative approach. He leads the band Right the Stars, whose most recent album is The Only Thing. Together, Renee and Rich perform their original lullaby “Dream about the Moonlight.”

Simpatico by Renee & Celebrity Friends CD and Digital Download

www.reneeandfriends.com 

List Price: $13.98 CD, $9.99 digital