Innocence Mission Now The Day Is Over CD

This is a nice changeup. The Innocence Mission return with a benefit collection of cover songs that are all centered reverie akin to dreaming. Calling them all lullabies would be stretching a little bit, but the presentations are such that they might as well be. Don and Karen Peris and bassist Mike Bitts craft an absolutely beguiling collection of standards. The readings of "Over the Rainbow," "Wonderful World," and "Moon River" form a gorgeous sequence. The inclusion of an instrumental, Chopin's Prelude in A, is a choice moment as well (played beautifully by Don), and is followed by a haunting, nostalgic version of Michel Legrand's "Once Upon a Summertime." The one original on the set, Karen's "My Love Goes With You," is a lullaby proper and is perhaps the most beautiful and tender song on the outing. That it's followed by "Edelweiss" is only fitting. The title track is, appropriately, the set's closer. Peris' wispy vocal carries the fleeting traces of daylight into the mix, ushering in a time of silence and magic. This could have been merely a curiosity piece, a curious addition to a mysterious catalog by a singular group. Instead, it is nothing less than a wondrous little gem. ~ Thom Jurek

the innocence mission began as four friends who met during a Catholic high school production of the musical Godspell. Since their fortuitous parochial meeting, they have released five critically acclaimed albums: The Innocence Mission (A&M 1989), Umbrella (A&M 1991), Glow (A&M 1995), Birds Of My Neighborhood (RCA 1999), Small Planes (W.A.R. 2001) and befriended (Badman 2003). Although they remain friends, the one consistent incarnation of the innocence mission revolves around the inspired musical (and literal) marriage of guitarist Don Peris and his wife, vocalist/pianist Karen Peris.Gorgeous and dreamy, this new offering from the innocence mission collects standards and traditional songs that singer Karen Peris has sung to her children as lullabies since they were born. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations working to aid impoverished children throughout Africa. "After hearing Bono speak this past May at my brother's college graduation about the plight of orphaned children in South Africa, our plans to make another benefit record were strengthened and propelled and we worked more quickly and spontaneously than usual. We recorded most of the songs over a three week period this summer, late at night, and it was really great fun. A lot of the singing was done live to Don's guitar playing. The spaciousness of the arrangements allowed for piano and pump organ and Mike's upright bass, " says Karen Peris. Their last release, befriended, received critical acclaim including a 5 star review in Mojo and " #1 Album of the Year" by NPR reviewer Christian Brodal. Press for Previous Releases:"...the lyrics read like fine, wholly comprehensible Romantic poetry. For anyone in need of respite from Madonna's Catholic guilt, the Innocence Mission offers the rarer, intriguing tonic of Catholic joy." Los Angeles Times"Of all the new singer-songwriters, Karen Peris is the most interesting to me." Joni Mitchell

Audio Mixer: Don Peris.

Photographers: Karen Peris; Don Peris.

The Innocence Mission: Mike Bitt (double bass); Karen Peris.

Personnel: Karen Peris (vocals, guitar, piano, pump organ); Don Peris (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, nylon-string guitar).

Uncut (p.148) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[I]t's ideal lullaby, comfort music, extra warmth courtesy of Don's suspended-in-air guitar lines."