The ancient Celtic legend of the Selkie, a mythical seal with the mysterious ability to metamorphose into a human being, is the setting for Chicago-based singer/songwriter Linda Marie Smith’s fourth album, Mearra – Selkie from the Sea, to be released in February 2014.

With a genre-crossing vocal style that encompasses a folk/rock sensibility, Linda Marie Smith’s music is romantic, soulful, earthy, and mystical, with lyrics and melodies that weave colorful stories of curious places and intriguing people.  Linda has been compared to the likes of Christina Perri, Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams, Natalie Merchant, Jewel, and Sarah McLachlan.

An enigmatic and bittersweet story of love, loss, and transformation,Mearra – Selkie from the Sea begins with Mearra, a young Selkie maiden, falling in love with Ian, a lonely fisherman entranced by her beauty.  Mearra bids farewell to her life in the sea, marries Ian, and starts a family.  However, at the end of seven years, a Selkie must return to her watery cosmos.  The sea inexorably calls for Mearra’s return.

Mearra – Selkie from the Sea transports listeners, inviting chldren and adults alike to use their imaginations as they enter an enchanted world that has inspired writers and composers like Yeats, Synge, and Arnold Bax for centuries.  The highly evocative “Ian’s Song” sets a mood of Celtic mystery.  “Mearra” follows, and the listener is swept up in an expansive cloud of orchestral colors created by strings, percussion, and synthesizer that conjures images of sea, sky, and wild, rocky coastline.   “All This and More” delivers a change of pace with something of a Nashville country sound, which effectively introduces a human element into the watery, mystical world of the Selkie.  The jazziest number on the album is “Heaven Knows,” with its upbeat rhythm set by piano, concertina, and enthusiastic hand clapping.

We received this CD to review and really enjoyed the musical story! My son says some of the songs are catchy and he says it’s great for down time.

Immersed in music since childhood, Linda Marie Smith turned her attention to songwriting as an adult, and, in 1998, released a self-titled debut album, followed two years later by a second album, Blame it on the Moon.  Linda’s first multi-media show, the critically acclaimed The Triumph of Artemisia, premiered in 2006, as did her album by the same name.   Her current project, the multi-media experience Mearra – Selkie from the Sea, forms the basis for its accompanying album, produced by Rich Rankin at Mosaic Music in Chicago.

Honored by the Billboard Songwriting Contest, Linda Marie Smith’smusic has also received recognition from the Illinois Arts Council in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts.  In addition to recording and performing, she teaches at Chicago’s famed Old Town School of Folk Music.

Mearra – Selkie from the Sea will be available online at CDBaby.com and iTunes.

Check out Linda Marie Smith’s website at http://lindamsmith.com.

Self Disclosure: We received this CD to facilitate this post.

Disney Junior, the multiplatform brand for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers has ordered new seasons of its animated series “Sofia the First,” “Doc McStuffins” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” Disney Junior is TV’s #1 preschool-dedicated network in the Nielsen demographic, Kids 2-5. The record-breaking “Sofia the First,” which follows the adventures of Disney’s first little girl princess, and the acclaimed Emmy-nominated “Doc McStuffins,” which centers around a six-year-old girl who runs a clinic for her stuffed animals and toys, have each been picked up for a third season, while the Emmy-nominated and Annie Award-winning “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” featuring a crew of kid pirates alongside classic Disney characters Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, has received an order for a fourth season.  The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.

Kanter said, “‘Sofia the First,’ ‘Doc McStuffins’ and ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ do what Disney does best — tell great stories with humor and heart. We’ve seen these series connect with our audience around the world and across platforms in meaningful ways, and we have many more stories to tell. We look forward to developing new narratives that will put our charismatic princess Sofia, aspiring doctor Doc, and inspiring hero Jake into exciting new situations and locales.”

All three series have resonated with viewers across multiple generations, ranking among the Top 10 cable TV series for 2013 in Kids 2-5 and earning parent approval by also ranking in the top 10 preschooler cable TV series in Total Viewers and Women 18-49, in the U.S. Globally, the series can be seen in over 30 different languages in over 160 countries. They are also featured in the popular Disney Junior Appisode app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and are among the most viewed episodes on WATCH Disney Junior for web and mobile devices.

“Sofia the First,” “Doc McStuffins” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” have been embraced across all Disney businesses, including Disney Parks & Resorts, which prominently features all three characters as part of the popular “Disney Junior Live on Stage!” attraction at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  Disney Consumer Products has robust product lines inspired by each of the series, including award-winning toys, apparel, room décor and party supplies.Combined, the three series have over 900 book titles, including the New York Times best seller “Sofia the First,” which was released as an e-book and in the accompanying “Sofia the First: Story Theater” app, which has been ranked #1 Kids iPad app on the App Store in 43 countries worldwide. They are also featured in multiple soundtracks and DVD releases from Disney Studiosand in Disney Junior magazine from Disney Publishing.

The series air daily on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” are produced by Disney Television Animation. “Doc McStuffins” is a production of two-time Academy Award-nominated Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Channel.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel.  There are 33 Disney Junior channels in 24 languages around the world.

Source: The November 24, 2013  premiere of “Sofia the First: The Floating Palace” ranked as the #2 telecast in cable TV’s history in Kids 2-5 and the #2 preschool cable TV telecast in Total Viewers, behind only “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess.” This gives “Sofia the First” the Top 2 cable TV telecasts of all time in Kids 2-5 and the Top 2 preschool cable TV telecasts in Total Viewers.