REVIEWS
JUNE 2010
The 2010 Mayfly Music Festival was honored to have
shared The
Mister Laurence Experience with not only the young people but the adults
in our
community. The performance was very entertaining and enjoyed by all
present. The Mayfly Music Festival committee would highly recommend
The
Mister Laurence Experience
to any groups, organizations or festivals
looking
for entertainment of this high caliber.
JULY 2010 PRESS RELEASE ~ And OSO Makes Three
By Mary Franz
Performing bears are not unknown in the world of
kids’ entertainment,
having sung, marched, and danced through all manner of musical
productions,
from The Muppets to The Nutcracker Suite. A legion of ursine heroes can
also be
found in children’s literature (Winnie the Pooh), movies (the Berenstain
Bears)
and on television (remember Yogi, the picnic basket craving character of
60’s cartoon
fame?) Nonetheless, when a 4-foot tall animatronic plush brown bear
takes to the
stage, positions himself behind the drum kit, and begins to tap out a
handy beat
while the rock ‘n’ roll band in front blasts out happy chords, kids are
bound
to jump out of their seats and take notice.
Meet OSO the drumming bear, the newest addition to the sweetly zany musical collaboration known as the Mister Laurence Experience. A long-beloved children’s entertainer in the Ann Arbor community, Mister Laurence (nee Laurence Bond Miller) performed as a solo act until last year, when he was joined by sidekick and wife, the incomparable Ms. Princess Melinda. Looking to expand their musical horizons even further, the couple thought long and hard about the right addition to their “kiddie rock and roll group”.
It was Ms. Princess Melinda who hit on the notion of a mechanized drumming bear. Inspired by the dual muses of Douglas the Singing Fir and Mister Laurence’s Grandma Lucy’s pet bear, OSO was created to provide the duo with “a mean back-beat”. This rounds out the band’s unique pop sound which now consists of Mister Laurence singing on guitar, Ms. Princess Melinda singing on keyboard, both jamming along with their prerecorded backup group (The Play Money Band) and newest member OSO, the Drumming Bear!
Designed and built with the help of two engineers, and named after Mister Laurence’s sister’s pet dog (OSO means bear in Spanish), the mechanical bear’s creation took nearly a year and was not without pitfalls. Notes Mister Laurence: “The making of OSO's authentic paws was a real trick. Black acrylic paint, fake fingernails, and a whole lot of elbow grease. We had troubles finding the right air compressor, too - one to ensure enough drive for a strong back beat, without propelling OSO thru the roof in the process.”
But as the old adage goes, persistence pays off, and in May of this year OSO made his debut in the Mister Laurence Experience’s latest music video, “I’m Glad at You”, a 4-minute foray into the madcap, in which OSO deftly delivers the percussive goods, seemingly oblivious to the clouds of smoke and horde of dancing fans that envelop the band as they play. Plans are to begin performing live with OSO this fall, and to include him in as many future videos, “as OSO himself feels prompted”. The band will also continue to perform “au natural”.
Mister Laurence is quite optimistic about the new drummer’s potential, and confident that in time OSO will expand his repertoire and role in the band. “Right now OSO is a little shy with crowds, but clearly has the will to rock out, and we’re hoping this time next year he will be executing perfect paradiddles.”
OSO’s debut performance may be viewed at the Mister Laurence Experience website, www.misterlaurence.com and also on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/user/Flaghorn.
October 2009 PRESS RELEASE
By Mary Franz
Farfetched
Records is
pleased to announce the release of Marmaline - My Music Machine, a
CD of
music for young children, by Mister Laurence and his Play Money Band.
With its
canny mix of amusing sound effects, friendly chitchat, and catchy songs,
Marmaline tells the story of two
children traveling with Mister Laurence on his magical vehicle, a
wondrous
contraption that is able to fly, dive, and sail, and runs on recycled
sheet
music (“instead of guzzling gasoline”). Part Yellow Submarine, part
Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang, part time machine, Marmaline
transports its listeners on a
musical odyssey that bubbles with sweetness,
charm, and wry humor.
Those
familiar
with children’s entertainer Mister Laurence will be delighted to hear
more of the quirky and lovingly crafted songs that are the hallmark of
this
performer’s style. Those hearing Mister Laurence’s music for the first
time
will marvel how his melodies and lyrics ingeniously accomplish what all
good
children’s music aims to do: enthrall kids with entertainment that is
undeniably fresh, all the while fostering a sense of independence,
self-esteem,
and respect for peers and elders.
Silly, but
never sappy, the dozen songs on Marmaline
display a deep understanding of children and their world, touching on
everything
from the tribulations of being a kid (“The Pouting Song”) to gentle
lessons
about caring for the environment (“Stewards of the Earth”). But lest you
think
this is music just for the little ones, a close listen will reveal hints
of
British pop, surf music, and even notes of a Sousa-like march wafting
through
the mix. Like his eight previous CD releases, Mister Laurence (aka
Laurence
Bond Miller), wrote, played, and recorded all of the songs on Marmaline himself at his recording
studio in his Ann Arbor, Michigan home. Recently joined by the lovely
and
talented Ms. Princess Melinda on keyboards and vocals, Mister Laurence
and his
Play Money Band will soon be hitting the road for a series of shows in
the
Detroit area that will bring the magic of Marmaline
to the stage.
And what
shows they will be. Toting a guitar and accordion, decked out in his
retro
green high-top sneakers, satin lapel jacket and barrette, Mister
Laurence is as
likely to resemble a psychedelic rockabilly singer as a children’s
performer. Backed
by pre-recorded tracks of his songs, and now accompanied by the
pink-coiffed
and gowned Ms. Princess Melinda, Mister Laurence will once again
demonstrate
why he is fast becoming one of the most loved children’s performers on
the
scene today.
Ann Arbor.com
Laurence Miller creates eccentric, unique
children’s music, and also teaches music, under the moniker Mister Laurence.
March 2010
Warren Truitt (Children's Librarian of The New
York Public Library)
"... Awwwsome song/video by Mister Laurence!!!
You probably already know that 'Bubbleland' is one of the bestest songs ever
... well, Mister Laurence has a rockin' video of the tune on his MySpace space,
check it out via this link — 'Bubble On' indeed!...."
www.myspace.com/misterlaurenceandhisplaymoneyband
June 2007 Warren Truitt
School Library Journal — Music Review for Recess Forever
"...Laurence Miller, aka Mister Laurence,
wrote 11 of the 12 songs and poems on this, his fifth album, using a variety of
rock
styles, from a Beach Boys sound to hard rock. Most of the compositions deal
with school topics. Vocal and instrumental
performances are very good. Mister Laurence and his Play Money Band perform on
guitars, keyboards, clarinet, recorder, bass, and drums. The play list includes
'Recess Forever!', 'Rusty Swing', 'We Won't Be Afraid' (of tests, mistakes,
etc.), 'Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Trees', 'I'm a Little Teapot' (with
additional words and music by Laurence), 'There's a Poem in My Head',
'Toe-Touching Torchy and the Talking Shoes' (part spoken poem, part a cappella
song), 'Choe Chee's Reoccurring Dream', a reprise of 'Recess Forever', and
more. Libraries in Michigan may be especially interested in this offering by
the Ann Arbor native."
March 2007 Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX.
"Children's Music that Rocks" NYC Librarian Blog — Music Review
for Recess Forever
"...There’s a musical legend living in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, R.
Stevie Moore, who pretty much invented the D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) ethic in the
late 60s, early 70s. Since that time, he has recorded literally hundreds of
cassette tapes, vinyl LPs, and CDs, all chock full of his off-kilter yet
brilliantly perfect pop compositions, writing, playing, recording, and
producing everything himself.
Tucked away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is
Laurence Bond Miller, aka Mister Laurence, the children’s music version of R.
Stevie Moore. Since 1999 Miller has released five CDs, Flaghorn, Tugboat Tow,
Bubbleland, Pure Gibberish, and Recess Forever!, with another, Marmaline, to be
released soon. I can‘t recommend one CD over another, so browse Mr. L’s witty,
silly website and check out the awesomeness of individual tracks like
'Bubbleland', 'Recess Forever', 'Is There an Echo in the Room?', 'Little
Flower', 'Jack ‘n’ Jill’s Hill', and the Zen sentiments of 'The Sky is in the
Sky!' and 'We Won’t Be Afraid' ("even if we are afraid / We won’t be
afraid"). The
only group who comes close to his combination of inventiveness and quirkiness
is They Might Be Giants, who would be well advised to team up with Mister
Laurence and create the greatest Kid’s album ever. Hey, it could
happen!..."
August 2006 Warren Truitt (Children's Librarian in the Donnell Central
Children's Room of The New York Public Library)
Blog Response to NYC Librarian Music Review
"I completely agree. I've seen Mister Laurence perform live and he is
incredible. If you are a parent/aunt/uncle/friend of a child, I would highly
recommend that you get a stack of these CD's for the children in your life--you
won't be disappointed!"
August 2006 Amy Wilson
Ann Arbor Current —
Music Review for Monkey in the Middle
"...Not everybody can make music that kids of
all ages will like, but Ann Arbor townie Mister Laurence, a.k.a. Laurence
Miller, does. A stylish, enigmatic performer whose Community Television Network
videos engage the audience in a pastel universe where the edges are neatly
defined in a crisp, almost cartoonish way. Performing on a variety of instruments
and using pre-recorded music, Miller calls his imaginary group The Play Money
Band. A live concert at The Detroit Zoo serves as the foundation for this
record. The wild animal sounds of Bubbleland recreate the zoo atmosphere of the
concert. It's goofy premise of catching a ride on a bubble is the kind of thing
kids can relate to. His techno-shuffle version of 'I'm a Little Teapot' is
reminiscent of the fluffy teenage British pop from the 1960s (think Herman's
Hermits). 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' shows an '80s influence with its flutey
bridges pulling the tune together like a spider web. Most people can identify
with 'The Pouting Song' which speaks about being grumpy because it's raining,
while never losing hope that the day will get brighter. Mister Laurence is the
kind of performer who celebrates that innocent time free of the hustle of
modern life. His hook is his oddness. Play this record for any kid, and if they
aren't jaded yet, they'll find themselves singing along...."
December 2004 PT Quinn
Ann Arbor Observer — Music Review for Pure Gibberish
"...After having released a massive oeuvre as
rock musician, performance artist, and Dad, Ann Arbor-based musician Laurence
Miller has found surprising success writing and performing music for kids --
releasing several CD's, performing all over southeast Michigan, and writing
song after song. The music of Mister Laurence ignores many rules of children's
music -- such as simplicity, repetition, and not too many big words. If they
didn't know his songs were intended for kids, some neopunk band might cover
them. The CD kicks off with a rollicking welcome by the man in charge, who
sounds like a blend of addled great-uncle, psycholinguist, and general
goofball. The title song is a complex ditty filled with instruction for talking
nonsense, filled with unexpected chords, that signature Mister Laurence. 'Jack
and Jill's Hill' is a journey into perky surrealism that asks what would happen
if that fabled pair just never came back down? 'Sticks n' Stones' starts out
like a Bach harpsichord sonata and devolves into a scary, pounding, growling
plaint about verbal bullying. Brave Kinder might well stomp about the living
room giving vent to all kinds of feelings when this track plays. It's like
having your own personal giant in the house. This scary persona of Mister
Laurence as monster hurtles back for 'Mom and Dad Are Teething':
"Mom and Dad are teething, we know it really hurts It's difficult at times it seems for them to use their words!"
'The Typing Train' starts with a story of a
magical typewriter and morphs into a kind of Laurie Anderson-ish trance song.
It's both charming and cool. I personally would very much like to see Mister
Laurence in a smoky bar, wearing his play-money shirt and singing his
children's songs to a horde of gin-soaked art students. At the end of the
night, he'd croon a lullaby, their eyes would slide shut, and their dyed heads
would slowly fall to their chests..."
February 2004 Kate Conner-Ruben
CDBaby.com — Music Review for Flaghorn (Re-issue w/select cuts from Flaghorn
and Tugboat Tow)
"...If Weezer put out a children's album, it'd
pretty much sound like this. An ironically pleasing track, titled 'Good
Manners', mixes a ridiculously silly post-punk attitude into a knee-slapping,
foot stomping, sing-a-long encouraging kids to be respectful and courteous to
their peers and elders!..."
August 2003 CDBaby.com
Jungle Jimmy — Music Review for Bubbleland
"...Mister Laurence rides out, into the sunset
again! Only this time he's in the air, floating on a stream of bubbles along
with everyone else in the world! How cool is that?!? His original songs and
stories in this collection are without a doubt the most imaginative, and highly
produced material he's released to date. When will this lad ever
stop!?!...."
November 2002 J.J.
Kiddie Corner — Music Review for Tugboat Tow
"...with a decidedly show-biz flare, Mister
Laurence charms his audiences both young and old, with his eclectic mix of
original songs & stories for kids. His refreshing approach to children's
entertainment pushes the envelope of the mainstream, luring us into a world of
sing-song antics, both children AND their caregivers can enjoy! Original
arrangements of such classics as 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' and 'I'm a Little
Teapot' keep the little ones glued, while his own songs are sophisticated
enough to satisfy the most discerning ear!...."
September 2001 Lyra Vahn
REAL.com — Music Review for Flaghorn
"...If the subject matter of these songs
weren't aimed so pointedly at children, Mister Laurence could be a hit not just
with the 2-5 year-olds but also with their older, college-going Indie Rock
siblings!...."
May 2000 Music Editor
The Ann Arbor Observer — "New A2 Children's Performer"
October 1999 Kate Conner-Ruben
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SCHOOLS, BOOK STORES, DAYCARE CENTERS
Anonymous Hamburg Elementary 1st Grader: "Mister Laurence put a smile on my face the whole
time!"
Nicola ~ Owner of Nicola's Books: "Thank you for all the help and energy you give to Nicola's!"
Leslie Gresham ~ Coordinator @ Kerry Town Shopping Center: "Mister Laurence performs catchy, kid-friendly originals, with a flair for entertaining both children AND adults! He creates an aura of warmth, and a happy atmosphere."
Melanie Diana ~ Owner of Sarah's Attic: "Mister Laurence has done a wonderful job performing in my shop, allowing moms and dads the freedom to browse, while keeping their children safely entertained."
Holly Porter ~ Director @ Hickory Tree Children's Center: "Laurence writes delightful, catchy songs. The children here look forward every week to Music Day."
Amy Wilson ~
Vineyard Church Group Leader
"I've seen Mister Laurence perform live
and he is incredible. If you are a parent/aunt/uncle/friend of a child, I would
HIGHLY recommend that you get a stack of his CD's for the children in your
life--you won't be
disappointed!"
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RANDOM FAN-MAIL
Fan-Mail after viewing our music video uploads on FLAGHORN YouTube
"Brilliant! Funny, clever, creative--the world needs more of this sort of stuff! Thanks and thanks some more! I deeply appreciate everything you've done!!! very impressive--you are great--so productive and creative--I love this!
May 2009 Doctor Zero
Fan-Mail for Pure Gibberish
"Last night I had a
nightmare that Think Tank the Bear (in reference to my song-story called THINK
TANK) thought me right out of existence. I dreamt that I was looking for my
friend, and as I was looking for him, various characters from your CD, Pure
Gibberish, appeared and stopped me, getting in my way. Finally, Think Tank the
Bear proceeded to actually think me right out of existence! It was a very weird
dream!"
June 2007 Anonymous Fan
Fan-Mail for Pure Gibberish
"...Pure Gibberish is Pure Genius! Musically complex, meandering,
dreamlike and delicate. Lyrically funny, thought provoking and edgy. Your
choices of incredible sound effects don't seem to be as much for the sake of
entertaining as they are springboards that divert the lyrics and music on an
unpredictable new direction. To me it is incredible that you can continue to
work at this level...if anything the production has gotten even better with
this latest one!..."
January 2004 Adrian Wylie
(Ann Arbor photographer)
Fan-Mail for Bubbleland
"...Any CD that starts
off with a sneeze is nothing to sneeze at - what a great beginning, and
Bubbleland rocks! The couple tracks that have already got to me already off
this CD are 'Little Flower' and 'Paging Mr. Dumpty'. 'Little Flower' is really
a beautiful tune, but like many of your songs it seems to have a duality about
it - it is simple yet complex, a bit funny and yet poignant, childlike and yet
very adult. I have to say that when I listen to your CDs I never associate your
songs with any other children's musician. The two groups I usually think of are
Pink Floyd (although their songs tend to depress in a way that yours never do)
and the ultimately fascinating and greatly underrated Beach Boys album Smiley
Smile..."
August 2002 Adrian Wylie
Fan-Mail for Flaghorn
"...I have to tell you
that I am knocked out by Flaghorn! It is one of the most fun, imaginative
pieces I have heard in ages! A brilliant mixture with touches of the holy
trinity: Dr. Seuss, Pee Wee Herman, and Slim Gaillard. I love the whole concept
behind the life-sized Lionel train that runs on burnt toast. The
"Sorryland" cut is just as applicable to adults as it is to kids --
when I was dating this one girl I visited Sorryland so often I should have
bought a condo there. I can envision some kid who in 20 years time becomes a big
ground-breaking music star, crediting this CD as an important early influence,
and once again it will be in demand!...."
October 1999 Adrian Wylie
Fan-Mail for Flaghorn
"...The CD is just
brilliant, and the accolades you are receiving don't surprise me one bit. In
fact, I am a bit mystified why there is not wider recognition of what you have
done. I put the Flaghorn CD in my Gateway computer and do whatever I have to do
in a much better mood than one would predict. This is your special gift. What
could be better than stimulating kids with happy tunes, interesting words, and,
dare we say it, stimulating lessons on life. This is genius. And, you still are
an influence in rock n' roll. I am impressed. Thanks for sharing your talents
with a group that needs it so much...."
May 1999 Bob Cashner (New
Orleans Icthyologist)
