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| MARAIS
AND MIRANDA on CDs!!! (There
are now 2 CDs with Marais and Miranda performances. RETURNING
HOME is all MnM, and look below for information on the Doris Day radio
show
re-issue that includes Marais and Miranda guest starring.)
"RETURNING
HOME WITH MARAIS AND MIRANDA"
Josef
Marais and Miranda appeared on over two
dozen record albums but, to date,
none of them have been re-issued on CD.The only Marais & Miranda CD ever produced is "RETURNING HOME WITH MARAIS AND MIRANDA," which was pressed in a small edition in 2001 and sold on this website for 4 years. It recently sold out, and as of this time, there are no plans to reissue it. However, we have a limited ability to offer CD-R copies of "RETURNING HOME" which are burned on a special order basis by our webmaster, and include laser-jet printed versions of the original CD art and liner notes. For more information, please email our webmaster. RETURNING HOME consists of recordings from the mid-60's that were originally issued on the LP's OPEN AIR CONCERT and THE SOUVENIR ALBUM. About half of the tracks from each LP were restored and combined to create RETURNING HOME. Here is a list of the tracks on the CD, including a few which are links to downloadable audio samples: 1. Beside The Windmill (.mp3 format 1:00 1.4MB) 2. John Anderson, My Jo 3. Ma Says, Pa Says 4. My Lady Greensleeves (.mp3 format 0:57 1.3MB) 5. Floating Down The Stream 6. The Cat Came Back 7. Eleven Little Froggies 8. Beau Reynolds (.mp3 format 1:01 1.4MB) 9. Lilibulero 10. Cockles & Mussels 11. The Grindstone Man 12. Train To Kimberly (.mp3 format 0:54 1.2MB) 13. Fiyella 14. Ihashe (.mp3 format 1:00 1.3MB) 15. The Laird o' Cockpen 16. Go Tell Aunt Rhody 17. Sponono |
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MORE MARAIS & MIRANDA ON CD!! DORIS DAY: LOVE TO BE WITH YOU Zone
Records has released the first volume of the Doris Day radio show from
the early 1950's. Vol 1 - a 2-disc set - includes two
appearances
by Marais and Miranda singing a total of three songs and
doing
some of the usual radio chit-chat.
The set is
beautifully produced, and sound quality is fine. Josef
& Miranda do a gorgeous rendition of "Old
Johnny Goggabbie," maybe the best rendition they recorded. Perhaps
most unusual, Josef & Miranda sing with Doris on "Around The
Corner" and they are joined by Doris and Gordon MacRae on a performance
that evolves into a wild quartet version of "Ma Says, Pa Says," which
was then a big hit and was being covered by a variety of
singers.
The CD can be ordered from Zone Records in the UK.  LISTEN TO SAMPLES (Please bear in mind that MP3 conversion often introduces distortion into older recordings. The CD sounds better than these samples) Around The Corner Old Johnny Goggabbie Ma Says, Pa Says Read A Marais & Miranda Memory by singer and storyteller Judy Gail GUEST BOOK Anyone with comments, information or reminiscences about Josef Marais and Miranda is cordially invited to send it to us, and we will try to include it in the site. There's a very fine independent Marais and Miranda fan site at http://mosaic.echonyc.com/~jhhl/MandM\ Paul Tracey - a South African artist who sings and plays numerous instruments. FolkLib Index: A Library of Folk Music Links www.ebay.com - A good place to search for old Marais & Miranda LP's.
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Josef Marais and Miranda were balladeers. Both immigrants to the U.S., they met during WW2 while working at the Office of War Information. They pooled their musical talents, fell in love, and built a strong and dedicated marital and musical partnership. They first presented their artistry to the rather specialized audiences who attended New York folk music clubs such as the Village Vanguard. However, their popularity quickly grew, not just in the U.S. but worldwide, and resulted in a loyal following that has persisted from 1945 to the present.
Their repertoire encompassed an eclectic selection of folk ballads, art songs, indigenous music, and original compositions, sung in both the original language and the English adaptations of Josef's arrangements. Whether they performed a song that was original or traditional, their presentation was utterly unique and their style completely their own. Their voices blended masterfully with Josef's guitar and baroque viols, while Miranda often provided rhythmic accompaniment on indigenous instruments. Together, they unerringly conveyed their joy in music and their zest for living.
Josef and Miranda performed for their enthusiastic fans in typically sold out halls, large and small, all over the world, as well as on the numerous recordings listed on this site. Their broad appeal drew high accolades from a variety of fans. Press releases and reviews supporting them can be found here.
This site is designed for both old fans and "new comers", as a tribute to the unique artistry of Marais and Miranda as well as a resource for information that has become quite hard-to-find. It is a collaborative effort by their son, Marcel, and Steve Miller, a writer/designer and longtime fan. Additional inspiration came from Marcel's sister Yvonne and from two other dedicated fans, Bruce and Oliver, who initiated this concept because of the powerful impact which Josef and Miranda made upon all their lives. It is our hope that you will discover (or re-discover) the joy of Josef and Miranda's music and spirit, that it will enrich your life as it has ours, and that you will spread the word to others so the music will continue to be enjoyed for decades to come. We hope you like this site. |
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