Paul McCartney & Wings
The Beach Boys
David Bowie
The Beatles
Earl-Jean/Herman's Hermits
Bay City Rollers
Barry Manilow
The Eagles
Neil Diamond
Teddy Bears
Fleetwood Mac
Michael Martin Murphy
Klaatu/The Carpenters
Sounds Like
“The Langley Kids tap into the spirit of rock & roll better
than most rock & roll bands.”
- Jay Ruttenberg, Time Out NY, November 8-15, 2001
The Langley Schools Music Project is a 60-voice chorus of rural school children from western Canada, untrained but captivated by melodic magic, singing tunes by the Beach Boys, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, The Bay City Rollers, and others. The students accompany themselves with the shimmering gamelan chimes of Orff percussion, and elemental rock trimmings arranged by their itinerant music teacher, Hans.Fenger.
These 1976-77 recordings, captured on a 2-track tape deck in a school gymnasium, weren't staged to achieve money or fame, to sell albums or land a record contract. These kids played music because they loved it. Innocent, flawed and bittersweet, guided by Fenger's unsuspecting genius, these recordings deserve to be heard and preserved. They brim with charm and youthful élan, sparked by flashes of lo-fi Spectorian majesty and Pet Sounds subtlety. Call it folk art, outsider, or campfire rock -- the labels don't matter. These are gorgeous, heavenly artifacts. Period.
These recordings were originally contained on two 12" LPs, pressed exclusively for the students, their classmates, teachers, and parents. They were never intended for exposure outside the provincial Langley region. But after they came to the attention of Irwin Chusid, the Songs in the Key of Z author and record producer vowed to make these recordings commercially available. He forged a licensing/trustee agreement with the Langley School administrators, and with the blessings of Hans Fenger and several former student soloists who were located, these priceless recordings have now been introduced to the rest of the planet.
The Langley Schools Music Project's Friend Space (Top 12)
The Langley Schools Music Project has 1050 friends.
always enjoying the music you put up here so generously!
As you know, there is an issue we should not remain indifferent about. Hopefully some of your friends will want sign up asking for respect of the Tibetan people..s Human Rights:
The question is not just about Tibet, who has given so much to the world by its unique culture. If we let these things happen now in Tibet, then all this talk about human rights and democracy is just a farce.
always enjoying the music you put up here so generously!
As you know, there is an issue we should not remain indifferent about. Hopefully some of your friends will want sign up asking for respect of the Tibetan people..s Human Rights:
The question is not just about Tibet, who has given so much to the world by its unique culture. If we let these things happen now in Tibet, then all this talk about human rights and democracy is just a farce.
If this makes sense, please do go to http://www. avaaz. org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/98. php/?cl_tf_sign=1 for signing up the petition to the Chinese government.
hi all - i interviewed hans and sheila right around the time the cd came out (fall 2001) and i've just put it online. You can see it here. Hope you enjoy.
Hoping that you are enjoying the Christmas holiday. Wishing you much joy and every success in the new year! Did you recover the songs? Ronda... Many cheers, Elisa
Hello! Cannot hear this music without tears in my eyes. One of my favourite album and one of the most rock album of all times. Definitly Despair and innocence. it remember my 10 years old. Thank you very much for this Myspace! :) You are in my top. Bye dave
Available now through your local record store or online at the Grass Roots Web Store
Aaron up 40 spots to #73 on CMJ charts last week and Rising! Call your local College Radio station to request ShapeShifter. Help us Break the Top 20! Let us know which station you called, your address, and we'll send you a Grass Roots Bumper Sticker...