Title: Storyteller
Artist: Canvas
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 634479777721
Genre: Rock

Storyteller was created and performed by the group Canvas and features vocalists Butch Engle and Susan Harlow. This Rock Opera expands from the pen of J.R.R. Tolkien to a medieval setting filled with intrigue, battles, companions, friends, victory and love. This 60 minute ear grabbing CD runs the gambit from classic rock, medieval classical, and a taste of metal. Storyteller is a must for the avid fan of the 'Lord Of The Rings' epoch, and a treat for the casual listener. Review: 'Storyteller' -- a rock opera tribute to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien It is strange how the magnificent writings of J.R.R.Tolkien flourished, then flowered into a cult phenomenon that has swept the world, for his is a different view of earth, of human kind and 'un-human' kind. 'The Storyteller,' a rock opera by Canvas produced by Lou Dorren, is a companion CD to the movie trilogy 'Lord of the Rings'-and, of course, the book as well. Thus this sweeping, magnificent tribute packs powerful memories and much of J.R.R.Tolkien's magical enchantment for the heart and the soul. Long after the movie fades into the history of distant memory, this CD will foster emotions and images. You'll see men charging into battle, monsters, demons, swords swinging, the noises. The magical world of Tolkien that today includes everything from games to websites, jewelry to action figures, fan groups to posters. The title song of this rock opera on Bay Sound Records, 'Storyteller,' evokes the film itself and love of fantasy that fans of the trilogy should find enticing. But everyone, fans or not, will enjoy 'Candlestick Maker.' Imagine a 60s vibe a la Jefferson Airplane; this excellent work recalls that sound. With strings, the psychedelic undertones are clear, not overpowered with guitar distortion or feedback. This fiddler knows his work. 'Remorse' features vivid vocals, a battle set to prose with harmony. The wonderful vocal work of Susan Harlow on 'Numbers' reminds you of Gracie Slick or the singing in 'White Bird' by It's a Beautiful Day. One of the unique aspects of this particular rock opera is that the lyrics can be understand, a major plus for most records of this day. And the lyrics perform an excellent role in interpreting the world of Tolkien. The music on 'Gathering' brings on intense drumming by Todd Garner driven by the guitar of Jon Robertson; in fact, the guitar work on many of the songs on this album is superb. 'White Rider' is virtually Heavy Metal...reminds one of Dio, Black Sabbath, or Iron Maiden without the excess. On 'Little Friend' Butch Engle has a fun bass vocal quality like Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies or John Entwistle of the Who. Good metal rifts. Uplifting lyrics. While the lyrics of 'The Victory's Friend' create an epic quality, as if Canvas was singing songs from old European heroic epics. They could be singing of the European warrior Siegfried or of Norse feuds as well as Tolkien's work. You will find this rock opera a major addition to your collection, whether it be merely a major music production of our day or one of the fascinating items to add to your collection of Tolkien memorabilia. -- by Claude Hall Storyteller Review Storyteller by Canvas, on Bay Sound Records Reviewing the magical, musical compliment to the Lord of the Rings! The company is gathered, the fire has been laid, the door has been locked, the goblets are poured and the open book, a perfect trilogy, waits for the reader. Come close my friends and prepare to be charmed once again by the magic of The Lord of the Rings. Storyteller! Certain masters have created a well-sung dream to compliment the grandest tale ever told. A collection that sings the soul of J. R. R. Tolkien's wondrous work for all the generations yet to come, to hum softly to a sleeping, still-small Knight, or stand at the edge of a great canyon's rim and shout bold defiance to all the future Black Creatures that will almost certainly be, as we beg the gifts of the Warriors of the future to keep us safe and set our hearts aflame! Storyteller! It conjures the many whispers and dreams of yesteryear when, truth or tale, life was fierce! When small beings and great Lords crossed paths and, oft as not, forged unexpected friendships against a common evil. (In these new, uneasy times, how familiar can an old dream be?) A time when games of Hobbits, and quests of Knights, and Elfin-wise magic ruled the land, if only in our dreaming, to give the world hope. Storyteller! Drawn from the heart of the books ... The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers, The Return of the King; all the grand magic that rose from the pen of the writer to speak to the hearts of all men and say the needful things to help ordinary man go on. That there could be creatures of good with magical powers who would stoop to help the small and weak, that a single name could live forever as a beacon of hope and pride: Gandalf! That a Lady, soft, and known of honor and grace could fight and defeat evil with all the craft and strength of a Knight, for a Knight, and that love could resurrect life and last forever! In the songs of Storyteller, these new magicians have crafted a thing of beauty to salute the King. Storyteller! But what of tomorrow? Will the salute last? Will we who hum or shout the tunes remember? In this, the time of 'modern earth', when 'only yesterday' is discarded before the next morning's sun can rise, will the salute to the King raised by the work of Storyteller also be soon forgotten? Ah, well, fellow dreamer, is Authur? Even broken up and carried away, is the Table? Ah, no! The roses of the heart neither bud nor drop, they bloom forever and, in it's compliment to the King and the Ring, so will Storyteller! And what of the work itself, the words and music sung for us by the band of players called Canvas and the magicians behind the curtain who waved the modern wand called technology? Did the Lords and Ladies, Magicians and Players who put it all together to salute the King do a good enough job? Let me put it this way: Here's to the still glistening dreams in the dregs at the bottom of the goblet! Ayea, Ayes, Ayeye, Ayo! Salute, My Lord, Salute! ...by M.C. Gibson.

Tracks:
1.1 Storyteller
1.2 Numbers
1.3 Puppetmaster
1.4 Candlestick Maker
1.5 Remorse
1.6 Sharp, Fast, Steady
1.7 Gathering
1.8 White Rider
1.9 Little Friend
1.10 A Battle Quest
1.11 The Victory's Friend
1.12 Hey I'm Lost
1.13 Bring Her Back
1.14 Books