FLASH NEWS SCOOP - You heard it here first: Jeremy has just recorded a brand new children's story: Song Of The Unicorn! Here is a review
by Reviewer, Publishers Weekly
September 23, 1999
Narrated by Jeremy Irons. The Children's Group (800-668-0242), enhanced CD for PC/Mac $18.98, cassette $10.98
The glorious music of the Middle Ages--from Gregorian chants to medieval dances to traditional folk songs like "Greensleeves"--complement an original fantasy tale in this ninth entry in producer Susan Hammond's Classical Kids line.
British Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons narrates with a subtle yet commanding voice, enticing listeners to envision the Camelot of Arthurian legend. To set the musical adventure rolling, two royal children, Princess Megan and Prince Owen, seek a cure for their mother's mysterious illness. Trouble is, the healing elixir--the song of the elusive unicorn--may be impossible to obtain. Megan and Owen's travels lead them to a monastery where Brother Gregory is composing music (chants are heard in the background), to Merlin's magical cave and, ultimately, to the isle of Avalon for a showdown of sorts with Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's evil sister. The story here is less linear than in previous titles in the series (Beethoven Lives Upstairs and the like), and the exchanges with Mer lin, about seeing the "future of music," may prove vexing for children. The recording stands strong enough on its own, but those who listen to it on a computer with a CDROM drive can view a photographic slide show (which would have benefited from more--and better detailed--captions), use a basic coloring book activity and adjust the volume of particular instruments in a simple and disappointing rearrange-the-music feature. Ages 5-12. (Sept.)