TREAD ON MY DREAMS SONG ORDER:
1. Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town
2. He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
3. Reluctance
4. Somewhere I Have Never Travelled
5. The Soul Selects Her Own Society
6. Funeral Blues
7. Nimium Fortunatus
8. Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?
9. Amazing Grace
10. The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee
11. How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways
12. The Lake Isle of Innisfree
13. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
14. Jewish Prayer
REVIEWS
“There are many albums released to the market each year that appeal to the commercial or to a certain genre or fan base. It is the select handful that can most accurately be described as 'art.' Melinda Stanford's 'Tread on My Dreams' is that album.
“Taking texts both known and unfamiliar, Stanford achieves an alchemy of words and music that is simply a new level of songwriting. One actually hears the most studied texts of Shakespeare, Cummings, Browning and Yeats for the first time anew to great emotion and revelation. Others become immediate classics, such as the stop-your-heart 'Funeral Blues' with text by Auden.
“Yet contained within is humor, soaring-of-the-soul, and the simplest truths, all achieved with a purity of voice, an economy of music-writing and accessibility that is a lesson.
“In this way, it is an album that can and will be enjoyed by an entire family, from the youngest child to grandparent, to the point of obsession -- and rightly so!”
Joel Flatow
Senior Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations
Recording Industry Association of America
“If you've always loved the music of poetry, this is your CD! The essence of poetry, and the essence of music -- Melinda Stanford gets it all. She makes you hear the poems anew through her music. Just listen to ‘Amazing Grace’ or a Shakespeare sonnet, and you'll feel you are rediscovering the classics. I loved it!”
Linda Gottlieb, Producer of “Dirty Dancing”
“Move over Norah Jones! Everything about Tread on My Dreams is winning: the title, choice of poetry, design, song order, composition notes, and above all, the wonderful songs and arrangements. My favorites: ‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’ – a perfect lead song, so upbeat and catchy; ‘Funeral Blues’; ‘The Soul Selects,’ with its insightful and sexy take on Emily Dickinson. But there're all so good… a priceless gift.”
Maureen McCarthy Draper, Author of “The Nature of Music”
Sets the bar very high for work of this kind - bravo. "Tread on My Dreams" is so beautiful, I still haven't recovered nearly two months later. The choice of texts, the breadth, the economy, the totally natural way the words scan - not to mention the performances (great cello too) - just magically done. She really knocked this one out of the park - I hope there's more to come!
--CJ, Washington
An ethereal voice that carries love, heartache and wisdom. Poetry comes to life in a genre more applicable to today's society. You can listen and more clearly understand what lies beneath each poet's words. Tread on My Dreams makes you think; it is a wonderful CD.
--SBS, North Carolina
Emily Dickinson must be smiling. Melinda's music combined with her words.
The combination of favorite, well-known poems with original, lively and haunting music works well. I thoroughly enjoyed all cuts, particularly Emily Dickinson's “The Soul Selects Her Own Society,” and “Amazing Grace.”
--VW, California
Great voice and variety. Very cool stuff. Nice variety of music, and her voice sounds great. The whole thing is a very impressive package (visually, aurally, etc.) "Do Not Go Gentle" is my choice for the "single" off the album.
--EH, Massachusetts
Absolutely fantastic…When I listened to the Funeral Blues, I cried. I love this poem and Melinda did such a great job in making this into a lovely music. I also love the opening intro. The sound keeps ringing in my ears and it makes me happy all day. Melinda's music is like angels singing to you. If you want to be happy, you must listen to her music!!! I love her CD and I hope she will produce a whole lot more in the very near future.
--SM, California
Captivating, warm-hearted and energizing music -just beautiful. Tread on My Dreams has such a powerful range of vocals, it's amazing that it's all from one singer. I can't help but picture myself running up hills, leaping up on a church pew, or singing on stage when I hear her songs. My all-time-favorite and a quintessential Melinda song is “Funeral Blues. “ It's warm-hearted, awesome music!
MD, Massachusetts
Melinda Stanford's musical compositions are original, diverse, and compelling. Her stunning and soaring vocals bring life to the wide-range of poetry used. I found the CD to be incredibly moving -- what an experience.
--MK, Washington
This is a fantastic piece of work. The magic behind the poetry put to music is breath taking. I listen to this CD in my car, my bedroom, in the shower. I literally carry it around with me because it caters to my every mood. It's sweet and soothing when I need it to be, but I find the soul and power in every song as well. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone and everyone who simply enjoys good music. The vocals are unbelievably strong and perfect for every track. I hope that you all enjoy Trend on My Dreams as much as I do! BUY IT!!
--MN, Massachusetts
We were so impressed, we ordered 7 more! My art teacher daughter in Chicago asked for 5 more (as a teaching tool) for her fellow art, music, and English teachers. My hairdresser will play hers (my salon-opening gift) for her customers…
-GB, New Hampshire