From Hillary Rollins, Producer

On March 27th, 2015 I hosted my friend, award-winning folk singer and acoustic humorist Christine Lavin, for her first-ever concert at the famed McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. As it happened a mutual friend, songwriter Daniel Cainer, was in town from London doing his one-man show, Gefilte Fish and Chips, and Christine really wanted to include him as a special guest. That was no surprise - she is renowned as one of the most generous and supportive people in the business, always promoting and championing other artists. But what began as a solo show with one surprise guest turned into a captivating evening of seven performers when I introduced Christine to some of L.A.'s best songwriters and she just couldn't resist sharing them with her crowd!

As a lyricist myself, one of the things I love about Chris is that she identifies as a folkie but is equally passionate about musical theatre, the Great American Songbook, and sophisticated, quality songwriting in any genre. In fact, several contemporary Broadway stars have covered her songs! (She also famously attended the Broadway production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" seventy-eight times in one year...but that's another story.) So while most of the guest artists on this album do their own material and have their roots in the singer/songwriter world, two of them come from the cabaret/jazz world and are gifted interpreters who bring their extraordinary vocal and acting chops to original songs by other writers. This was important to me. I have all too often heard denim-clad strummers and pickers say, "I hate cabaret and Broadway," and sequin-clad divas say, "I hate folk." To which I say, "No you don't. You've just never heard good cabaret/folk!" I say don't be a hater. I say break down the barriers and celebrate artistry in every form. Personally, I'm a happy hybrid, a folkie in a feather boa, and I invite others embrace their inner eclecticism...

So we had a great line up. And I thought we were all going to just sit back and enjoy the gig for that one night only. But sly Christine had something else up her sleeve. Right before she went on stage the sound man told her he was going to record the show - standard procedure at McCabe's. Did she tell me? Did she tell the other artists? No. She didn't want anyone to be nervous or self-conscious. Then afterwards she announced that she had the whole thing on tape and..."Hey, kids, let's release an album!" [note quotes and cap, as in sentence case] Brilliant. Because what I think what we captured, along with some of the greatest original songs around, is the spirit and spontaneity -- the fun, relaxed and yet emotionally powerful experience -- you only get at a live music event. I hope you think so, too.

hillaryrollins.com

TO BUY A PHYSICAL COPY, CHRISTINE BRINGS THEM TO LIVE CONCERTS, ALSO AVAILABLE AT iTUNES, and from HILLARYROLLINSPRESENTS@gmail.com.

CHRISTINE LAVIN: "Remembering My Passwords" "Under The Table" (written by Daniel Cainer), "Cary Grant Esther Williams Tom Cruise & The Romance Of The Gun" "Tacobel Canon" "Sometimes Grandmother Really Does Know Best" "The Lullabye League"

DANIEL CAINER: "How We're Blessed," "Bad Rabbi"

CYNTHIA CARLE: "Pioneer"

DAVID LUCKY: "Booty Call"

MARYJO MUNDY: "Breathing," "I Do Not Want A Baby" (written by Daniel Cainer)

GARY STOCKDALE: "Daughter"

PATRICIA WHITEMAN: "Something That I Wanted You To Know"

ALL: "Good Night Irene"

CONCERT AND ALBUM PRODUCED BY HILLARY ROLLINS

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