Distant Serenade

Storyteller and composer Michael McLean has crafted a timeless tale of finding one's place in the world, accompanied by a soundtrack with a style best described as world music. Through a story within a story, McLean reminds listeners that accepting oneself as one is, is often the best road to happiness and peace. The story is backgrounded by an anthropologist who was given a traditional Aboriginal story to pass on to her then-nonexistent daughter. When the anthropologist's orphaned niece arrives just weeks later, she recognizes her opportunity to pass on the Aborigine's tale of an orphaned melody searching for a place to call home. The Aboriginal tale unfolds through music depicting how the melody touches the lives of others, just by being there for them. The melody, which is voiced by Felicia Sorenson, comforts and uplifts. Also present are a frightened barramundi, voiced by John Batdorf, an orphaned sea eagle, voiced by Andrea Robinson, and a comforting Sky Dweller, voiced by David Morgan. John Batdorf contributed his own compositions to provide a seamless transition between each character's song. The entire album flows without a single break. Batdorf also programmed the synthesizers to provide a rich orchestra sound. Guitar solos were performed by Michael Dowdle. The results of these combined talents from the Latter Day Saints musical community is a truly uplifting album that is family-friendly and lends itself to an evening spent telling stories and appreciating good music. ~ Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams, Rovi