Stuttering Album

I just got news of this and it really seems like a terrific project that will benefit anyone who feels strongly about stuttering. It is an album eight years in the making, consisting of 15 songs written by children who stutter and recorded by prominent artists such as Carly Simon, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Duncan Sheik, John Forte, and Mandy Patinkin. Jon Bon Jovi donated the use of his state-of-the-art facility for the recording. The album is called, "LISTEN." All kinds of artists have given their contributions on this project for the stuttering cause and a "call for compassion and acceptance, and for respect of one-another's differences." Out world is very fast paced and hectic nowadays with decision making, traveling, shopping, catching the bus, running errands, and driving. 'LISTEN' urges us to stop and catch a breath. Stuttering people have a lot of trouble effectively expressing themselves quickly enough. The children who had a hand in producing this album are from an organization called "Our Time." It is a non-profit organization founded by Taro Alexander (also a stutterer) and fueled by Musical Director Everett Bradley and is designed to give children who stutter time to freely express themselves through art, music, writing and theater. Proceeds from this album will help this organization. This new project allows kids who have potential to thrive, flourish, and express themselves and show the world that stuttering people can be very eloquent, brilliant, creative if they are just given the chance to convey what they have to show in their own pace. The songs can show people how these children feel and what the world is like for them.

Link to the website


Here is a list of the songs, one can tell a lot from those names :)

All I Want Is Love (written by Our Time member Andre Gillyard, age 16)
Lead vocals - Holly Brook, Duncan Sheik
Background vocals - Original cast members from Spring Awakening

You Don't Know Hurt (written by Our Time member Linda Gjonbalaj, age 15)
Lead vocals - Carly Simon
Background vocals - Lucy Woodward

Nothing In This World (written by Our Time member Dashawn Taylor, age 12)
Lead and background vocals - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Breathe In (written by Our Time member Naudia Jones, age 17)
Lead Vocals - Mandy Patinkin

When I Am Loved (written by Our Time member Dashawn Taylor, age 14)
Lead vocals - Nicki Richards

Perfect Place (written by Our Time member Keith Russell, age 16 / rap solo written by John Forte)
Lead and background vocals - Adam Pascal, John Forte, Carly Simon

Proud Of You (written by Our Time member Isaiah Fletcher, age 15)
Lead Vocals - Isaiah Fletcher, Michelle Weeks

Flaunt It (written by Our Time member Naudia Jones, age 17)
Lead vocals - Adriane Lenox, Mary Testa

Our Time Made Us Loud (written by Our Time members Andre Gillyard, age 18, Jonathan Greig, age 17, and Keith Russell, age 17)
Lead Vocals - Jonathan Greig, Andre Gillyard, Keith Russell
Special appearance - Stomp

What We Have To Say (written by Our Time members Linda Gjonbalaj, age 15, Yoni Messing, age 15)
Lead vocals - Anthony Rapp

Let Go Of The Past (written by Our Time members Nina Hersher, age 16, Alison Williams, age 15)
Lead Vocals - Daphne Rubin-Vega

Carry On (written by Our Time teens, ages 13-18)
Lead vocals - Sherie Rene Scott, Norm Lewis

Booyaland (written by Our Time members Julianna Padilla, age 10, Victoria Perlman, age 11)
Lead vocals - Ann Hampton Callaway; Special appearance - Blue Man Group

Listen To Your Heart (written by Our Time member Lindsay Campbell, age 18)
Lead Vocals - Michael Cerveris, Kelli O'Hara

Magical Place (written by Our Time pre-teens, ages 8-12)
Lead vocals - Julianna Padilla; Special appearance - William Gallison