Cast Your Vote

Update: I have posted a new version of the solo piano clip because we felt the two could be compared more fairly if they were showing the exact same songs on each clip. So please re-listen if you already stopped by earlier and listened to the old clip.

I am in need of your valued opinion.

We are in the final weeks of producing my Mother and I's upcoming Lullaby Album. And...well, to make a long story short, our simple-quick-economical album has turned into a full fledged top-notch expensive production.

We have composed and arranged 13 absolutely beautiful lullabies. Along the way, we started orchestrating the album little by little...and now, we have several artists on board who have contributed their talents to the album both in vocals, orchestration, and production. A few of the songs on the album have some very stunning orchestration by Emmy award winning composer Jace Vek, there are also some unique instruments such as the Uillean pipe, penny whistle, to name a few...We also have a talented vocalist, Jillian Goldin, on board who is a Grand prize winner on Ourstage.com for her music. And our engineer on the album is Grammy Award nominated producer Paul Speer.

So like I said...the project sort of got magnified. In a very good way, but...here's where I need your honest opinion:

The idea has been presented lately, within the last week actually, that while the orchestration is stunning, there might be many who would enjoy this album in its simplist form - just solo piano. That was sort of the idea from the get-go before it turned into a full production.

For the last couple of days we have been talking about producing two different versions of the album - one orchestrated version, and one solo piano version. Both in their own seperate jewel case. We have talked about "What if we do a double-cd set?" or "Let's do one jewel case and one jacket case". But now, like I said, we are considering doing two full jewel cases (one for each version). The reason for this is because if we did a dual-case, we would have to charge more for the album and it might deter some away who might otherwise boughten the album and only because it was more pricey.

My question is: If you personally were going to purchase this album, would you:

a) Buy the orchestrated version
b) Buy the solo piano version
c) Buy both (for a discounted price)

or

d) I would rather have a double-cd album (2 discs in one jewel case).

That last option is new, and I can't add it to the poll since the poll has already been started.

Also, if the album did, say, come in a double-pack ONLY (2 cds in 1 jewel case) for $19.99, would that steer you away from purchasing it because of the cost? Whereas if we manufactured them seperately, you would at least then have the choice of buying only one (or both at a discount)?

To do this new idea of the two seperate jewel cases, it basically doubles our production cost and so we really would love to get some feedback on which versions would be the most appealing to our audiences before we ahead with this. I wanted to pose the question here, because you guys (our family and friends) are the opinions that matter to us. I really mean that.

Also, just to give a few more reasons for this whole 2 Cd thing, is because the intent of the album is to be something you can stick in the cd player in your children's rooms and play to lull them off to sleep. But the songs are written in a way that both adults and children will love to listen. However....we think maybe the orchestrated version might be more applealing to adults, but the solo version might be better for putting babies to sleep (because it is more toned down and simple).

I put two clips below - one orchestrated the other solo piano, so you can listen. I am also going to put a poll over on the sidebar so you can cast your vote, but please leave me comments as well because I want to hear what your opinions are as well besides just casting a vote.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to give me your opinion. I really really appreciate it.

- J

Audio Clip #1 - Orchestrated Version Sampler

This sampler has 5 (or 6? I can't remember) of the orchestrated songs. Remember, pretty much all the songs are orchestrated so in all there are 13. But for the sampler I only included a short few examples. (sorry the ending gets cut off because of the length and blogger only allows certain time on videos)

Audio Clip #2 - Solo Piano Sampler below

Because we felt it would help the music be judged more fairly,I have uploaded a new version of the solo piano clip. This version has the exact same songs as the orchestrated version so you can compare better. Please take a listen. Go back and forth if you need to. We really value your thoughts.

Thank you!

P.S. The songs on the samplers are:

All the Pretty Horses

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

I Am a Child of God

Dream Weaver

Brahms Lullaby