Thank you Performing Songwriter for recognizing Sunflow's "Under the Stars" in the Mar/April2009 issue, we are honoured!


http://performingsongwriter.com/pages/music/116.cfm


Sunflow
Under the Stars
Featured Download: "I Wish You Love" MP3

Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers next time you’re at a train station
in Dublin. The chance meeting and subsequent trans-Atlantic pairing of
American Nancy Falkow and Irishman Fran King (both accomplishd solo
artists in their own right) has resulted in a deliberately dreamy set
intended to lull your little ones to sleep. From the first notes of
“Slumberland” to the last of “Goodnight,” Under the Stars is a blissful
blend of simplicity and sophistication, alternating the singers’
complementary vocal styles.

At turns evoking the melodic sensibilities of Carole King, Paul McCartney
and Harry Nilsson, Sunflow deliver jauntily plucked ditties (“I Wish You Love,” “Sleepytown”) and lush lullabies
(“August Moon,” “Dreamboat”) with equal finesse. Kid-inspired but
captivating for all ages, Under the Stars is supremely soothing proof that
the universe is indeed unfolding as it should. —GMG








NOTE FROM NANCY: This review was written by Guy Michael Grande, who happens to be a songwriter as well!
www.myspace.com/guymichaelgrande 

Thank you to Warren Truitt for including us in his top 10 of Best Children's Music released in 2008!  We are honoured!

http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/best2008.htm

Nancy here...

Well kids, while making this record, I would research who I'd be sending review copies to, and Warren Truitt of http://kidsmusicthatrocks.blogspot.com was high on the list.  My email to him was a long time coming, based on blog, and his reviews of music for children that, well, rocked!  This morning I visited his blog and there, shining like the the Sun was a review of Under the Stars! 

He liked us, he really liked us.  Thank you so much Warren for kicking off the reviews....

http://kidsmusicthatrocks.blogspot.com/2008/10/sunflow.html

We were talking earlier about "Naptime Music," tunes that are not really lullabies, but songs to contemplate while you're watching clouds float by or just taking a break from the annoying skronk of the world in general. Sunflow's Under the Stars is another great example of that genre, an album that features soothing lyrics, loads of harmonies, and knowing nods to Emitt Rhodes, Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney & Wings, The High Llamas, and Barry Manilow. Personally, this is ex.act.ly the kind of record that makes me want to plug in my bass and sing that fourth or fifth harmony part.

American Nancy Falkow and Dubliner Fran King, both accomplished popmeisters in their own right, teamed up to create Under the Stars with help from fellow melody maker Duncan Maitland. All three are based in Ireland now, which may account for the lyrical images of oceans, rain, rivers, and seas that populate several of the songs on Under the Stars.

Fran and Nancy trade off lead vocals on every other song, singing their own compositions. Under the Stars kicks off with the co-written, impossibly beautiful "(When You're In) Slumberland," Fran's Harry Nilsson homage. I just can't believe people are still allowed to write songs this good! Next is Nancy's sweetly jaunty "I Wish You Love," reminiscent of Nilsson's late '60s tunes (Sunflow love Nilsson!), and not a little similar to The Jellydots' "Pretty Little Baby." Fran follows with his very Paul McCartney-like "Eve's Lullaby (My Little One)," a song so tasty the ex-Beatle would trade his knighthood for it.

Nancy's "Sleepytown" is a quietly acoustic tune that contains the awesome line "Bumpy, rumbling stones will sooth your soul / Just a little break from rock and roll", after which waves wash up on a shore, fading into Fran's "Daisies & Orchids." The song begins serenely and builds into another McCartney-ish tune, with a chorus straight outta Paul's Flowers in the Dirt era. And Nancy's "Rock-A-Bye Dreams" is another mostly acoustic tune that would (and should) be a chart-topper on American country radio.

Fran's breezy "August Moon" features the baion beat that so fascinated Leiber & Stoller and Pomus & Shuman (check out "Spanish Harlem," "There Goes My Baby," "Save the Last Dance for Me," and "This Magic Moment"), and a chorus that would have been right at home on McCartney's Red Rose Speedway. The sweeping "Now Sleep" is Nancy's exploration of the connection between parents and their children, and the comfort kids take in mom or dad's arms at bedtime. The album ends with Fran's soft Tin Pan Alley tune, "Dreamboat," and Nancy's dreamy waltz, "Goodnight."

I've talked a lot on this blog about music being a powerful entity, a force that transcends genre, era, or listener age. This here album is so full of good vibes and beautiful melodies it's a shame you have to cobble it with a label like "children's music" ... so we won't! Under the Stars is music, folks ... dig it, and buy copies for all your family.

http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/sunflow.html

Under the Stars - Sunflow - 2008

(When You're In) Slumberland

Close your eyes, the last words that you hear
Take a ride, Just you and me my dear,
To a magical place,
Under the stars.

Won't be long, until you wake again,
We'll sing a song, make it nine or ten,
So it seems,
We had fun in your dreams.

Carriage across the stream of velvet dreams,
Beyond the banks of blue moon beams,
It's a wonderland,
When you're in Slumberland.

Mama loves you, Daddy loves you too,
In a place, where dreams can all come true,
You'll be fine, it's your moment to shine.

Carriage across the stream of velvet dreams,
Along the banks of blue moon beams,
It's a wonderland,
When you're in Slumberland.

Wouldn't it be so very nice,
Having our very own dreamy paradise.
Its so grand,
Come take my hand,
We're drifting along,
A river of song.

Now we're beyond the rainbows way up high,
We'll fly together you and I,
It's a wonderland,
Right here in Slumberland.

It's such a wonderland,
When you're in Slumberland.

It's such a wonderland,
When You're In Slumberland.

(King/Falkow)(c) Head Space Music IMRO / Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08

Fran King: Lead Vocals, Piano
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Bass, Tremelo Guitar, Chamberlin, Shaker
Harry Faversham: Drums

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

I Wish You Love

All the sun for you,
All I can do for you,
Is wish you the best of everything.

All the sky for you,
Forever I fly for you,
And the good life this will bring.

So while you lay sleeping,
I just sit and stare
and pray you're dreaming.

A lifetime of happiness,
A joy from up above,
Until then I wish you love.

All the world for you,
Whatever you think'll be true,
And all your days filled with fun.

All my time for you,
Whatever I've got for you,
Underneath the living breathing sun.

So while you lay sleeping,
I just sit and stare
and pray you're dreaming.

A lifetime of happiness,
A joy from up above,
Until then I wish you love.


So while you lay sleeping,
I just sit and stare
and pray you're dreaming.

A lifetime of happiness,
A joy from up above,
Until then I wish you love.

Until then I wish you love.

(Falkow)(c) Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08

Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals
Fran King: Vocals, Dum-Dum
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Harpsichord, Shaker

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Eve's Lullaby (My Little One)

So my little one,
Now your time has come,
Hold your head up,
Don't forget to smile for everyone.

& If this world seems gray,
And rain clouds hide the day,
Don't forget to rise and shine,
And chase them all away.

The world is yours,
In a song,
So don't be scared,
To sing along,
And in your voice,
I will hear,
The sound of my heart beating.

This world is yours,
In a song,
So don't be scared to sing along,
And in your voice,
I will hear,
The sound of my heart beating.

And so to sleep my little one,
I'll hold you close 'til morning comes,
So lay your head down close your eyes,
and dream of days to come.

I'll hold you til the night is gone,
My little one.

(King)(c) Head Space Music IMRO '08

Fran King: Lead Vocals, Piano
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Electric Guitars, Bass, Organ, Shaker,
Tambourine
Rory Doyle: Drums

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Sleepytown

Why you gotta try to fight it little one.
You've been heading that direction and you're finally coming 'round
(It's useless).
Just give in, you can't avoid it,
You're going down,
To sleepytown.

Well you might as well sit down and have your cup of tea.
Now you're all tucked in and you've got what you need
(It's right there).
Close your eyes, you'll see it clearly,
You're going down,
To sleepytown.

Bumpy, rumbling stones will sooth your soul,
Just a little break from rock and roll


So I'll see you in a while, our time here is through.
I'll be here when you return, no I'd never ever leave you
(Don't worry).
Just give in, you can't avoid it--
Close your eyes, you'll see it clearly--
You're going down,
To sleepytown.

Sleepytown,  Sleepytown
So head on down...
Sleepytown,  Sleepytown
You'll know it when you get there...
Sleepytown,  Sleepytown
They make some kind of bed there...
Sleepytown,  Sleepytown
Climb on in, all are welcome...
Sleepytown,  Sleepytown

(Falkow)(c) Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08

Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars,
Electric Piano, Heartbeat

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Daisies and Orchids

I went to sea in a boat full of dreams,
Under the stars and the silver moonbeams.
Watching the dawn as it fades into blue,
Leaving horizons behind me with you.

Sailing along on an ocean of sound,
A ship that's always homeward bound.
You on my shoulders and I hold the wheel,
You make every moment, a moment to steal.

Daisies and Orchids appear on the shore,
Just like nature intended them to,
Framed there's a photograph
Always remembering someone...

I can recall, back at the start,
You came along like a song in my heart.
A beautiful melody sent from above,
Turning tide in the story of love.

Daisies and Orchids appear on the shore,
Just like nature intended them to.
Framed there's a photograph
Always remembering someone... someone.


Daisies and Orchids appear on the shore,
Just like nature intended them to.
Framed there's a photograph
Always remembering someone...someone.


Daisies and Orchids....

(King)(c) Head Space Music IMRO '08

Fran King: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Chanberlin, Slide
Guitar
Harry Faversham: Drums, Tambourine

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Rock a Bye Dreams

Oh little wonder,
It's time to sleep,
and watch the rain fall on the lullaby tree.
Sleep little wonder,
It's your turn to dream,
and watch the rain fall on the lullaby tree.

And all through the night,
The stars shine so bright,
Just follow their light,
As they illuminate your way.
And when you awaken,
The world is yours for the taking,
Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye Dreams.


Oh little wonder,
It's time to sleep,
And watch the rain fall on the lullaby tree.
Sleep little wonder,
It's your turn to dream,
And watch the rain fall on the lullaby tree.

And all through the night,(all through the night)
The stars shine so bright, (all through the night)
Just follow their light, (all through the night)
As they illuminate your way.
And when you awaken,(all through the night)
The world is yours for the taking,
Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye Dreams.
Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye Dreams.
Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye, Rock a Bye Dreams.

Oh little wonder,
It's time to sleep.

(Falkow)(c) Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08

Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Organ,
Glockenspiel, Tambourines
*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*
August Moon

August Moon,
Shining bright
Takes me by,
Candlelight to an open space,
Where you are.

Silouettes,
In the night,
Drifting over,
Dizzy heights
To another place,
And your smiling face.

Oooh, August Moon,
Shine on me, shine.

August moon,
If you please,
Put my weary,
Mind at ease,
On a summer night,
With your moonlight.

Music sounds,
Soft and clear,
Penetrating,
Every ear,
Like the ocean waves,
On the golden sand.

Oooh August Moon
Shine on me, shine.

And with your August moonlight clear to carry me over your sea,
I'm in no doubt and there's no wonder that,
Your August moon should mean so much to me.


Oooh August Moon,
Shine on me,
Shine August Moon,
Shine on me, shine, shine on me.

(King)(c) Head Space Music IMRO '08

Fran King: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Vibes, Organ,
Piano, Shaker
Harry Faversham: Drums, Tambourine
Shay Cosgrave: Cymbals

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Now Sleep

There's a baby bird
Waiting in a tree,
Mother's coming soon
With everything she needs,
Responsible.

Lying by her side
The kittens in a row,
Warm and satisfied
Just watch them as they grow,
Dependable.

All that you need
Is all that I've got for you,
And that's all you'll ever need to know,
Now sleep
Now sleep

Taking his first steps
Within hours of his birth,
Mother horse's silhouette
Beams proudly of his worth,
Unshakeable.

Father penguin waits
Stable tried and true,
He warms that little egg so long
'til babe makes her debut,
Unbreakable

All that you need
Is all that I've got for you,
And that's all you'll ever need to know,
Now sleep
Now sleep

All that you need
Is all that I've got for you,
And that's all you'll ever need to know,
Now sleep -
Now sleep -
Now sleep -
Little one.

(Falkow)(c) Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08


Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Electric Piano,
Tambourine
Harry Faversham: Drums

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Dreamboat

Set sail,
For uncharted waters,
Let's leave today.
& Who knows when we will return to the world we left behind today.

Blue skies,
Happiness and laughter,
Are yours to keep.
Dreaming of a new horizon as we both drift off to sleep.

With love afloat,
On our dreamboat.
We'll know just why,
A kiss can last eternity beneath the starry sky.

So drift away,
Set sail for a new day,
And we'll remember the night when we dreamed all our dreams away.

With love afloat,
On our dreamboat.
We'll know just why,
A kiss can last eternity beneath the starry sky.

So drift away,
Set sail for a new day,
And we'll remember the night when we dreamed
All our dreams,
Away.

(King)(c) Head Space Music IMRO '08

Fran King: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Bass, Piano, Lead Guitar, Handclaps
Shay Cosgrave: Drum Brushes

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*
Goodnight

Goodnight, Goodnight,
The first sign of moonlight,
It's time
For you to fall
into the blue.
Goodnight, Goodnight,
Now everything's just right
It's time
for you to dream.

Now everything that you see while you are sleeping,
Doesn't always have to stay inside your head.
You can do anything while you are dreaming,
You can be anything right from your bed.

Goodnight, Goodnight,
The first sign of moonlight,
It's time
For you to fall
into the blue.
Goodnight, Goodnight,
Now everything's just right
It's time
for you to dream.

When you dream,
Of trinkets and ice cream,
And candy toy soldiers
That all fall in line.

When you dream,
Slide down a moonbeam,
Sparkle and shine
You are all things divine.


Goodnight, Goodnight,
The first sign of moonlight,
It's time
For you to fall
into the blue.
Goodnight, Goodnight,
Now everything's just right
It's time
for you to dream.

It's time for you to dream.

(Falkow)(c) Rodge Tunes ASCAP '08

Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Harmonium, Piano,
Chamberlin
Shay Cosgrave: Cymbal

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%*%*

Credits

Produced by Duncan Maitland

Sunflow is Nancy Falkow and Fran King

Mastered by Tim Martin at longbeardsound
Other musicians: Duncan Maitland, Shay Cosgrave, Rory Doyle, Harry Faversham

"Under the" Sun by SUNFLOW Credits

(When You're In) Slumberland (King/Falkow)
Fran King: Lead Vocals, Piano
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Bass, Tremelo Guitar, Chamberlin, Shaker
Harry Faversham: Drums

I Wish You Love (Falkow)
Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals
Fran King: Vocals, Dum-Dum
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Harpsichord, Shaker

Eve's Lullaby (My Little One) (King)
Fran King: Lead Vocals, Piano
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Electric Guitars, Bass, Organ, Shaker,
Tambourine
Rory Doyle: Drums

Sleepytown (Falkow)
Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars,
Electric Piano, Heartbeat

Daisies & Orchids (King)
Fran King: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Chanberlin, Slide
Guitar
Harry Faversham: Drums, Tambourine

Rock-A-Bye Dreams (Falkow)
Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Organ,
Glockenspiel, Tambourines

Now Sleep (Falkow)
Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Electric Piano,
Tambourine
Harry Faversham: Drums

Dreamboat (King)
Fran King: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Nancy Falkow: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Bass, Piano, Lead Guitar, Handclaps
Shay Cosgrave: Drum Brushes

Goodnight (Falkow)
Nancy Falkow: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Fran King: Vocals
Duncan Maitland: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Harmonium, Piano,
Chamberlin Shay Cosgrave: Cymbal

Hello friends! Nancy here reporting on behalf of the band.  Last night we listened to all of the hard work our producer Duncan Maitland has been putting into our mixes and we're happy to say-- they rock (in a put you to sleep, harmony filled, relaxing sort of way.)

So for those of you playing at home, next up --mastering and duplication and hopefully a release of "Under the Stars" in the Fall.

It has really exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to share it with you, so thanks for hanging in there a little longer.

Stay tuned for some more samples SOON!

Love,

Sunflowers