On June 23rd, a remarkable album, eight years in the making, will be released. ‘LISTEN' is a collection of 15 original songs, written by children who stutter, and recorded by iconic artists including Carly Simon, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Duncan Sheik, John Forte, Mandy Patinkin and many others.
In addition, Jon Bon Jovi donated the use of his studio, so that his state-of-the-art facility could support the recording process. Superstars from the worlds of pop, rock, R&B, Broadway, hip-hop and more joined together to contribute their time and talents to a cause bigger than stuttering - a call for compassion and acceptance, and for respect of one-another's differences.
In a world where everything -- from news to conversations to decision-making -- happens so fast that we can hardly catch our breath, ‘LISTEN' implores us to stop and do just that. Children who stutter are often ridiculed or ignored for not being able to express themselves quickly enough. They've finally been given a safe haven via ‘Our Time'.
Our Time is a non-profit organization centered on a one-of-a-kind Arts program that provides children who stutter with an environment of unconditional acceptance...a creative forum, where they can express themselves through art, music, writing and theater, slowly and without risk of being shamed. Founded by Taro Alexander (who has stuttered since he was five years old,) and fueled by the incomparable energy of Musical Director Everett Bradley, Our Time Theatre Company is a free resource for these children and their families. There is no place quite like Our Time.
Their ‘LISTEN' album will be released on Sh-K-Boom Records, and proceeds will benefit Our Time. Featuring songs written by Our Time Kids aged 8-18 under the stewardship of Everett Bradley and Associate Musical Director Carl Danielsen, ‘LISTEN' is inspiring proof that these children simply need a few good people in their lives, and they can flourish. It's also evidence that kids who stutter are eloquent, brilliant, creative young minds, if they're given a chance to articulate themselves at their own pace. On June 23rd, this CD will give voice to a group of kids who usually don't get listened to.
The album includes ‘Magical Place,' a stunning reverie written by Our Time's pre-teens, aged 8-12, and sung by Our Time kid Julianna Padilla. The lyrics say everything you need to know about the shame these children feel, and the newfound hope they get from being a part of Taro Alexander's organization: "There is a magical place called Our Time, when you step right in, you will be loved. There's freedom here in this place...no one makes fun of you. You will be loved."
From the anthemic ‘You Don't Know Hurt', performed by Carly Simon, to the soulful ‘Nothing In This World', sung by Daryl Hall and John Oates...from John Forte's rap on ‘Perfect Place' to Duncan Sheik's pop groove (featuring Holly Brook) on ‘All I Want Is Love', to Mandy Patinkin's ‘Breathe In', the album delivers an astonishingly polished and diverse array of songs and styles, performed by artists who care. Though these are not ‘kids' songs', the fact that the tracks were written by young children makes the achievement of ‘LISTEN' all the more impressive.
Other artists who recorded for ‘LISTEN' include Blue Man Group, Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael Cerveris, Amanda Kravat, Adriane Lenox, Norm Lewis, Kelli O'Hara, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Nicki Richards, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Sherie Rene Scott, Stomp, Mary Testa, Michelle Weeks, Lucy Woodward, Cast Members from Spring Awakening, and the youth of Our Time. Our Time's Taro Alexander and Everett Bradley provide vocals as well.
