Night Of The Opera Train – A Musical Novel, puts Brent Maher in another musical realm by combining a piece of U.S. history with 21 songs written and recorded for it. This includes a story within a story of sorts, with Maher centering it around three fictional children leading the listener all the way through, as the music bounces in and other of the audiobook narration by Maher. The well-crafted project features several excellent musicians contributing with Maher the chief songwriter, and this review is based on three of the songs, leaving the rest to be discovered by listeners.
Brent Maher is a well awarded producer and songwriter in Nashville, who needs no introduction to his audience whatsoever, and he helps introduce the musicians involved in the 21 songs built around the intriguing story, released during Nashville Orphan Awareness Month with parcial proceeds from the project going to Youth Villages of Middle TN – Maher’s previous accomplishments include over 20 #1 singles, having worked with the likes of Ike and Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, The Judds, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Taj Mahal, as well as Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll.
Three main tracks set the release up for viewing video clips outside of the audiobook, with 18 more Maher penned tracks to hear throughout the well written and narrated story concerning the orphans moved from New York City to every U.S. state in the early 1920’s, which Maher became interested in the Orphan Train Movement, subsequently after visiting The National Orphan Train Complex, in Kansas. These three songs only briefly represent the audiobook, and chosen to head up the release and bring awareness to orphans during National Orphan Awareness Month, sending some proceeds to the Youth Village of Middle TN.
The first of the three videos can be seen outside of the audiobook with the selected tracks featuring a plethora of artists to deliver the goods. “The Haves and Have Nots” by the French Family Band is a must see and hear from the start, and if you listen to the audiobook first, it’s easy to tell why they were selected for videos directed by Roger Pistole. This song is one of the best tracks on Night Of The Opera Train – A Musical Novel, but the same case can be made for such an extensive soundtrack which is taken in as the story goes.
“Orhan Train” the song itself is another gem, which features the talents of Trey Hensley, Tammy Rogers and Marc Rogers making a magical bluegrass song you can’t miss during the narration of the audiobook, and the Pistole directed video is great, as are all three of the clips. The third video is “I Will Hold You In My Heart” and it’s another exceptional effort by Maher and this time with Brooke Spencer and Sarah Hollbrook putting in grand efforts on the song itself and their video appearance. The whole Night Of The Opera Train – A Musical Novel is a project to behold and a must hear and the videos a must see.
Claire Uebelacker