Tell It Again – Songs of Sense & Nonsense
Tell It Again (official title including subtitle:Tell It Again – Songs of Sense & Nonsense) is a studio album by Julie Andrews and Martyn Green, released in 1957 by Angel Records. The album features a selection of children's songs, nursery rhymes, and whimsical melodies, composed and arranged by Louis Hardin, also known as Moondog, a musician and inventor of musical instruments. In addition to his work as a composer, Moondog performed on the album, playing various instruments including the flute, guitar, and tabla, contributing to its distinctive sound.[1]
The tracklist includes renditions of well-known classics such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" "Pussy Cat", and "Star Light Star Bright".[1] These familiar tunes are presented through arrangements that blend traditional elements with Moondog’s experimental musical style. According to Julie Andrews, the compositions incorporate unusual time signatures—such as 5/4 and 7/8—which added a unique and technically complex dimension to the recording process. Andrews referred to Moondog as a brilliant and unconventional artist and described his music as both inventive and enjoyable to perform, despite its challenges.[2]
Although the album did not chart on Billboard's music rankings, it received attention in the press. Billboard magazine noted that the release had "strong sales potential in its specialized market", indicating interest particularly among audiences drawn to children's music with a creative or avant-garde approach.[3]
CD release
The album has never been officially reissued on CD, but it was released twice in Europe, both times taking advantage of the region's 50-year copyright limit. In 2009, the British reissue label Poppydisc released the first unauthorized version,[4] followed later that year by Avid Easy's Julie Andrews: Four Classic Albums, a two-CD compilation featuring four of Andrews' albums from the late 1950s: Tell It Again (1957), The Lass with the Delicate Air (1957), Julie Andrews Sings (1958) and My Fair Lady (1959). AllMusic's William Ruhlmann rated the compilation three and a half stars, noting that Andrews' fans might find this reissue particularly intriguing thanks to the inclusion of Tell It Again.[5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Montreal Gazette | Favorable[6] |
| Billboard | Favorable[3] |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
The album received favorable reviews from music critics. Gordon Jocelyn, a critic for The Montreal Gazette, highlighted the "enchanting" nature of the album, particularly Moondog's accompaniment, which he described as gentle yet inventive. Jocelyn also noted Moondog's unique presence in New York City, where he would often stand on Sixth Avenue, dressed in flowing robes, selling copies of his poetry. The critic emphasized that Tell It Again was a must-listen for both children and adults, praising its rhythmic renditions and the charm of its performances.[6]
The same opinion was shared by Billboard's critic, who also described the album as a "delightful package" and praised it for its excellent production.[3] The music critic from AllMusic rated the album four out of five stars but despite this, the site did not write any reviews for the album.[7] In a later review for a collection of which the album was part, AllMusic's William Ruhlmann commented: "Not only is it unusual to hear her [Julie Andrews] trading nursery rhymes with Green and the two pretending to be brother and sister, but the musical accompaniment is surprising".[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Favorite Nursery Rhymes" | Louis Hardin, Moondog | 5:56 |
| 2. | "School Days and Learning Songs" | Louis Hardin, Moondog | 7:19 |
| 3. | "Songs of Fun and Nonsense" | Louis Hardin, Moondog | 6:51 |
| 4. | "The Animal World" | Louis Hardin, Moondog | 6:38 |
| 5. | "Bedtime Songs and Lullabies" | Louis Hardin, Moondog | 3:18 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Songs Of Sense & Nonsense - Tell It Again record.[8]
- Directed by Julie Laurence
- Music by Moondog
- Produced by Young Record World
- Percussion by Moondog
- Flute – Julius Baker
- Photography by David Gahr
References
- ^ a b Arntz & Wilson 1995, p. 228
- ^ Andrews 2008, p. 227
- ^ a b c "Special merit children's album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 18 November 1957. p. 30. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ Trunk, Jonny (15 January 2010). "Songs Of Sense & Nonsense: Tell It Again - Record Collector Magazine". Reccord Collector Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ a b Ruhlmann, William. "Julie Andrews - Four Classic Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
- ^ a b Jocelyn, Gordon (22 October 1966). "Film epic Hawaii offers moments to reminisce on the gentle miss Andrews". The Montreal Gazette: 15. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Songs of Sense and Nonsense - Tell It Again". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ Julie Andrews, Martyn Green (1957). Tell It Again – Songs of Sense & Nonsense (liner notes). Angel Records. 65041.