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2007 Winner of a Parents' Choice Gold Award (Parents' Choice Foundation) 2007 NAPPA Honors Award winner (National Parenting Publications Awards) 2007 CMWA Best New Artist for Older Children (Children's Music Web Awards) ***** Like something out of Alice in Wonderland, ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS sends listeners young and old alike on an enchanted exploration of that mysterious territory between their ears, the human imagination. By turns lush and dreamy, hip and hilarious, silly and sublime, ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS plays like a great Broadway show performed by the jazziest, snazziest, bluesiest band ever to tumble down a rabbit hole. The seeds for ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS were planted in a musical theater writing workshop at Theatre Building Chicago. Entranced by poet/lyricist Alexander Jenny's sly and subtle "pomes" for children, composers Karena Mendoza and Stephanie Snow undertook to set them to song. Under the direction of Emmy-winning producer/arranger Ed Tossing, and performed by a winning crew of talented, homegrown young (and not quite so young) singers, each song has a musical style and flavor all it's own. Pickle in a Pinch is a rollicking paean to pluck and perseverance. Imagin'Nation explores an inner realm where "I can shatter space, demolish time / I can squeeze an orange 'til it dribbles rhyme." On-The-Loose Dream is a dreamy dance tune, while bluesy/jazzy Pome in a Pail is guaranteed to get the whole family rompin' & stompin'. The Marble and The Pebble tells a tale of grit & grace with banjo-picking aplomb. And every girl's inner child will identify with the conflicted passions of Needa Wanna Gotta Have it. An adventure for ears of all sizes, ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS is one of those rare productions that spans generations -- suitable for a grade school poetry class or a late-night romp inside your old gray noggin. ***** What others are saying about ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS: "Children's music doesn't get much better than these 15 songs by Pomes In A Pail. ...an amazing collaboration... The great vocals combined with incredible instrumentation gives the entire album a Broadway feel. This extremely high quality production deserves a space in every collection." -- Veronica Schwartz, School Library Journal "Imagination abounds in this writing workshop that went oh, so right -- a terrific musical tapestry of songs, singers and sounds!" -- John Wood, Kidzmusic.com "Thoroughly entertaining and very sophisticated! If Mom and Dad don't understand all the intricacies of this enchanting album, the kids will no doubt explain it all to them. What a treat for Rock-sore ears and Rap-dimmed brains." -- John Sparks, Artistic Director, Theatre Building Chicago "What a fun, whimsical CD! I loved the fusion of blues, pop, and children's songs -- perfect for family listening on long car trips or even just at home." -- Laura Lynch, music teacher, L. J. Hauser Jr. High School, Riverside, IL. "Successfully combines playfulness and fun with quality music and lyrics. Adult wisdom is delivered with kid-friendly lyrics and tunes. This CD is a great addition to a home or classroom music library." -- Erin McCarthy, 4th/5th grade teacher, Central School, Riverside, IL. "15 catchy, toe-tapping tunes for children that adults will love as well." -- Janis Irvine, The Book Bin, Northbrook, IL. "It's a scientific fact: elephants float -- and ON-THE-LOOSE DREAMS rocks!" -- Dr. Alan Rossman, Science Education Program, National-Louis University. ******** About Pomes In A Pail: South African Native Karena Mendoza is an award-winning composer and former opera singer. In 2004 she won Best Song Writing at the New York International Fringe Festival for Africa & Plumbridge. Mendoza is Artist in Residence at the Riverside Presbyterian Church, and Musical Director for the Art Miles Mural project. Stephanie Snow honed her songwriting skills in Nashville and workshops at Theatre Building Chicago. But she credits her knack for knowing what kids like to her eight years of teaching piano to
