Album Notes

The fanciful tales of sultans, djinns, wise women and caliphs ascribed to the legendary queen Scheherazade are collectively known as Alf Laylah wa-Laylah, A Thousand Nights and One Night. Throughout the last millennium, storytellers have carried these enduring stories around the world, expanding and adapting them to new languages and cultures and creating an international family of timeless tales.

In this enchanting and thoughtful collection, Mary Grace recounts Scheherazade’s own story and three of the tales which the legendary Persian princess told to her sister and accomplice, Dinrazade, in order to enchant her dangerous husband, the sultan Sharyar.

Included are Scheherazade’s best-loved “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” along with two living descendents of her ancient accounts. “Living descendents” indeed! Both “The Peddler of Swaffham” and “Old Dry Fry” are told orally from one generation to the next to this very day, years and oceans away from ancient Persia! (Scheherazade’s versions of those two stories are known as “The Ruined Man Made Rich by a Dream,” and “Tale of the Hunchback,” respectively.)

The cover image, from Frances Virginia Sterrett’s fanciful images for a 1928 edition of Arabian Nights, is titled “Scheherazade went on with her story.” She “goes on” today in Mary Grace’s voice.

Story notes:
Scheherazade: In the frame narrative to the original 1001 Arabian Nights, a bold Persian maiden looks to the power of story to save herself and her sisters.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: This clever, intricate tale whose true champion is the slave Morgianna was added to Scheherazade's repertoire in the 1700s.
The Peddler of Swaffam: Scheherazade's "The Ruined Man Who Became Rich through a Dream" is transported to a quiet English village and a busy London Bridge.
Old Dry Fry: Set in the American South within The last century, this outrageous and spirited tale has its roots in Scheherazade's "Tale of the Hunchback."

Recorded at Mandala Music Productions, San Antonio.
Package design by Karen Wollscheid.
Three Swans Productions.