Play On by Paul McLaney

A musical imagining of Shakespeare’s great soliloquies
Play On showcases not only the vocal ability of Paul McLaney, but also his skills as a world-class composer and features a stunning array of Kiwi talent including Esther Stephens, Julia Deans, Maisey Rika, Ria Hall, Laughton Kora, Mara TK, Andy Keegan (Drums), Richie Pickard (Bass) & Jessica Hindin, Mahuia Bridgeman-Cooper & Rachel Wells (The Black Quartet).

In April 2016, award-winning musician Paul McLaney assembled an all star musical cast to perform Play On at Auckland’s Pop-up Globe Theatre. The sell-out show saw a collection of Shakespeare’s most well-known soliloquies performed as a song cycle for the very first time and by some of NZ’s most talented vocalists.

Following on from the show’s success, McLaney and the cast undertook a series of recording sessions and the result is Play On, 11 tracks setting some of Shakespeare’s most famous words to music for the first time.

Across 11 tracks, Play On sees McLaney’s diverse musical experience applied in yet another new way, creating music around lyrics that are over 400 years old.

To celebrate this world first concept of setting soliloquies to music, the show will travel to the Christchurch Arts Festival, the Taranaki Arts Festival, the Auckland Live International Cabaret Season & the Nelson Arts Festival.

“The idea was borne of a conversation I had with Ian Mune while I was touring the 'Diamond Side' album. He suggested that there was something 'madrigal-esque' about my guitar style, and had I ever looked at the songs or sonnets of Shakespeare. The conversation moved very quickly to the idea of bypassing those and looking at something that hadn't been done; the great soliloquies.

We all hope the approach we have taken with the repertoire might be an invitation to his work for those who think it’s not for them, and perhaps another angle on the genius of Shakespeare for those who already know and love his work. All of these pieces really came to life when the musicians all came together and lent their considerable talents. I think everyone's performances illustrate the deep feeling we have for the words of Shakespeare. It’s intoxicating really.” – Paul McLaney

PAUL MCLANEY – PLAY ON
1. Come Away Death
2. The Deeds of Mercy w/ Ria Hall
3. The Sound & Fury w/ Mara TK
4. The Lunatic, The Lover & The Madman w/ Julia Deans
5. Love w/ Esther Stephens
6. The Passionate Shepherd To His Love w/ Laughton & Esther
7. To Be Or Not To Be w/ Esther Stephens
8. Until This Night w/ Mara TK
9. Hold! w/ Julia Deans
10. Our Revels Now Are Ended w/ Laughton Kora
11. Sonnet 18 w/ Maisey Rika

Play On Show & Album links: http://loop.co.nz/releases/play-on

Play On Videos by Radio New Zealand: http://bit.ly/2vkrtnX

Tracklist

1.	Come Away Death	2:38

2.	Paul McLaney, Ria Hall - The Deeds of Mercy w/ Ria Hall	3:08

3.	Paul McLaney, Mara TK - The Sound & The Fury w/ Mara TK	4:11

4.	Paul McLaney, Julia Deans - The Lunatic, The Lover & The Madman w/ Julia Deans	3:22

5.	Paul McLaney, Esther Stephens - Love w/ Esther Stephens	6:20

6.	Paul McLaney, Esther Stephens, Laughton Kora - The Passionate Shepherd To His Love w/ Laughton & Esther	3:48

7.	Paul McLaney, Esther Stephens - To Be Or Not To Be w/ Esther Stephens	4:16

8.	Paul McLaney, Mara TK - Until This Night w/ Mara TK	3:01

9.	Paul McLaney, Julia Deans - Hold! w/ Julia Deans	3:12

10.	Paul McLaney, Laughton Kora - Our Revels Now Are Ended w/ Laughton Kora	5:05

11.	Paul McLaney, Maisey Rika - Sonnet 18 w/ Maisey Rika	3:29

Credits

released August 4, 2017

Credits:

Guitars: Paul McLaney
Upright Bass: Richard Pickard
Drums: Andrew Keegan
First Violin: Jessica Hindin
Second Violin: Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
Cello: Rachel Wells
Pedal Steel: Bruce Lynch

Produced by Paul McLaney and Bruce Lynch
Engineered by Sam Tozer, Bruce Lynch and Pauly Rhodes
Recorded at Lot 23 and The Boatshed, Auckland, New Zealand
Mixed by Bruce Lynch

All song settings by Paul McLaney, except Sonnet 18: Paul McLaney, Maisey Rika & Te Haumihiata Mason

Published by Mushroom Music

Thanks:

Firstly, a great many thanks to all of the talented performers who lent their considerable magic to these performances, I couldn't wish for more.

To Bruce Lynch for taking on this mammoth task with me; love you brother, you brought out the best in all of us. Sam Tozer and Pauly Rhodes for capturing the performances. Thank you to Ian Mune for suggesting the enterprise to begin with and to Peter Elliot for helping me navigate the decision! To all of my my brethren at the Pop-up Globe; thank you to Miles Gregory, Ben Naylor, Eddie Bijl and David Lawrence for your invaluable advice and passion.

Thank you Mikee Tucker for your vision and belief in this project; much love.

Special thanks to my wife Sian for putting up with my distractions and dreamer's schemes. This is for you and our beautiful children Ava Jean and Max; endless love and mild humility.

Copyright 2017 Paul McLaney
Under exclusive license to Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa

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