Advent and music: first week in Advent

Advent: a time os ideas, a time of change....

Whether this season is part of your faith calendar or not, this time at turning of season and turning of year is a good time to reflect.

It may be challenging to pause, perhaps even more so to find interior silence in which to do that reflection.

Music makes a good gateway into reflection.

Though there’s plenty of great seasonal music about, if that’s not what engages you, there are other possibilities too.

Several ideas to consider

Lauren MacColl is a fiddle player and composer based in the north of Scotland. Her album Haar is not seasonal music. It is. however, a collection of thoughtful pieces which make good companions for quiet thinking.

MacColl is joined by musical friends including Rachel Newton on harp and spoken word, Anna Massie on guitar, James Lindsay on double bass, Mairearad Green on accordion, Jennifer Austin on pianos, and Alice Allen on cello. Their collaboration gives added interest and depth, which along with MacColl’s stellar playing, invites repeated listening.

The Lonesome Chronicles from The Kathy Kallick Band takes things in a bit of a different direction. Kallick is an award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist based in northern California; her band memebrs are based all across the US west.

When they get together, it is powerful music they make. For The Lonesome Chronicles, as the title suggests there are songs that consider being lonely and ways of living through that and learning from it.

The album takes listeners on a journey, really, from those considerations of coping with being lonely to celebrating coming out of it ). There are both songs and tunes, a well rounded collection with original music from Kallick and her band members along side well chosen covers of music from William Golden, Earl Scruggs, and John Prine.

For seasonal music, as Advent begins take time to explore three winter seasonal albums from the top Irish American band Cherish the Ladies.

On Christmas Night, Star in the East, and Christmas in Ireland find the group offering varying modds in song and tune, from traditional to original pieces. Heidi Talbot is lead singer for On Christmas Night, Michelle Lee Burke has that role for Star in the East, and Hannah Rarity is lead singer for Christmas in Ireland.

Flute and whistles from band leader and founding member Joanie Madden and guitar from founding member Mary Coogan are creative presences on all the albums, with keys from Kathleen Boyle, accordion from Mirella Murray, and fiddle from Nollaig Casey making part of the mix too.

Each of these albums is well worth taking time with at the winter holidays.

Also to explore: Cherish have put together a digital holiday album with tracks from these albums and other sources featuring Cherish the Ladies with guest singers Heidi Talbot, Hannah Rarity, Don Stiffe, Kate Purcell, Michelle Burke, Bruce Foley, and Seámus Ó'Flatharta. It is called Ultimate Christmas Mix and you can find it on Bandcamp.

...and look for the album Christmas, from Cherish the Ladies founding member and guitarist Mary Coogan.

More to come on music to listen to during Advent as the season unfolds...

You may also wish to see
More ideas for music for the first week in Advent, from a few years back
Music for Starry Winter NIghts at Wandering Educators, with a track from On Christmas Nigh form Cherish the Ladies along with music from Andrew Finn Magill, Matt and Shannon Heaton and more
One More Christmas from Austin based musicians Christine Albert and Chris Gage
Learn about Through Wind and Rain, a recording from Cathie Ryan, who was lead singer with Cherish the Ladies for many years co

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Winter's gifts: Music

Winter: it’s a time for reflection, for contemplation, for spending time in solitude and for seeking out good company. Music is a part of all this, and it also makes a fine gift. Here are ideas as you plan your holiday listening and giving. Some of these albums and artists you have met here before along the music road, and for others, there’s more to come. Either way, follow the links to learn more of the music.

If you’ve someone on your list or if you yourself love the music of Scotland, then Karen Matheson’s solo album Urram< will fill a spot on your list. It is the first solo album Matheson has released in some time -- she’s often involved with her work as part of the band Capercaillie. She was working on an album of contemporary songs in English and Gaelic but found the deaths of her parents, and coming across family photographs from times past in the wake of that, turned her in another direction. The songs of Urram are in Gaelic, some Matheson would have known from her childhood, others that she searched out in song archives. Spare arrangements from longtime band mates as well as unexpected guests frame Matheson’s musical storytelling.

Jenna Moynihan draws on the music of Scotland as well, both music from the tradition and as source to frame her own compositions. Growing up in New York state, two years into studying violin at eight years of age Moynihan encountered the fiddle music of Scotland, and that set her on her musical path one she has followed thus far all the way up through a degree at Berklee College of Music and the release of her album Woven, It’s a fine collection, comprising music that shows both Moynihan’s lyrical touch as well as flashes of wit -- which you may also see in her descriptions of the tunes in her liner notes. It is a journey worth the taking al the way through the album as it’s been been sequenced by Moynihan and producer Maeve Gilchrist. For a hint of what’s in store, standout tracks include the Kendall Tavern set, Haven, and Dolina MacKay.

Oisin Mac Diarmada knows the fiddle, too. In his case the background is Ireland, and in his recording The Green Branch the music of the Sligo region. You’ll have met Mac Diarmada’s music though his work in the band Teada, in his duo recordings with Seamus Begley, and with his Irish Christmas in America projects. For The Green Branch his musical partner is Samantha Harvey, whose piano work proves a fine backing and at times rhythm section for the energy of Oisin’s fiddle as he makes his way through sets of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and flings, including Jacke Coleman’s paired with Mayor Harrison’s Fedora and Bright May Morning paired with Fowler on the Moor. Harvey’s first way into irish music (she is originally from America, now resident in Ireland) was through irish dance, and a particularly engaging set, Veronica McNamara’s/The Professor/Charlie Dolan’s, includes the sound of her dancing feet along with fiddle and piano.

Alison Brown’s instrument of choice is the banjo. In her mind and spirit and hands it’s an adventurous instrument, melodic more than percussive, part of an ensemble more often than claiming the sole spotlight. On her album Song of the Banjo her original pieces are most composed for an acoustic ensemble, with deft placing of the colors of instruments to tell the stories she has in mind. That’s true of the varied selection of covers as well including several in which she backs singers in re invented versions of songs from writers as varied as Michael Martin Murphey, Bacharach and David, and (on the deluxe edition of the album) Marvin Gaye. If you’ve heard Brown’s tone and an voice (so to speak) with the banjo you’ll recognize it through the tracks on Song of the Banjo; if you are new to her work, listen and follow it as the thread that pulls through.

There will be more to come on these recordings and artists here along the music road, but they are too good to have you miss out on them during this season of listening, sharing, and giving.

Season of giving, you say? What about some seasonal music? Of course...

With her Quartet, the aforementioned Alison Brown has a fine seasonal album called Evergreen. There’s a nice blending of Carol of the Bells with We Three Kings, and Two Santas comprises two Santa themed songs you’l recognize. There’s a livley reinvention of The Little Drummer Boy among the other gems.

For On Christmas Night from Cherish the Ladies Heidi Talbot handles lead singing for The Castle of Dromore, a song that always evokes winter for me. Talbot makes the often done over the top O Holy Night sound as welcoming as if it were done around the fireside. too. Excellent instrumentals led by Joanie Madden’s flute, among them the title track, Old Apples in Winter, and the Kerry Reel, weave in stories and sound of Ireland with the carols and songs of the season

Speaking of the flute...you will hear some fine flute playing from Shannon Heaton on the album Fine Winter's Night which she’s done with her husband, guitar player Matt Heaton. They each sing, too, and they each have original songs of the season, tunes and carols and contemporary pieces. Listen out especially for Matt’s original First Snow Fall of December, Shannon’s title song, and their takes on the Wexford Carol and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.

You may also wish to see
Another Fine Winter's Night: Matt & Shannon Heaton
6 of the best Christmas Songs
Music for the first week in Advent: candle in the window

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Holiday Gift Ideas

It is a season of celebration, of holiday gift giving, and holiday gift lists. Music always makes a fine gift to give and to receive. Still working on your holiday lists? Consider these ideas

note click on the album covers and text links to learn more about these recordings.

for those who love the music of Ireland
Cathie Ryan is often honored for the quality of her singing, and well deserved those honors are. Ryan is also a gifted songwriter and song collector, and a woman who interprets the stories of her Irish and American heritage with intelligence and grace. All of these things are found in her most recent album, Through Wind & Rain. The Farthest Wave is another recording of Ryan’s to consider

Irish Ways is a project which brings together tracks by many musicians of ireland, on song and tunes which, in keeping with the title, are focused on things particularly Irish. Lumiere, Luke Kelly, John Spillane, Dervish, At First Light, and Niamh Ni Charra are among the wide selection of folk represented.

note click on the album covers and text links to learn more about these recordings.

for those who love Scotland
The quiet side of the music of Scotland is the substance of Celtic Airs, a collection the people at the Greentrax label put together in response to requests for just such a focus for an album. Mediative and reflective, it makes a fine companion for winter’s quieter days, and includes music from Fiddlers’ Bid, Ian Hardie, Lorne MacDougall, The Cast, and Wendy Stuart.

Capercaillie’s latest album At the Heart of It All is a mix of song a tune, work song love song and through it all songs and tunes which evoke the land that is Scotland.

for those who love Ireland and Scotland both
Julie Fowlis is from the Western Isles of Scotland and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is from west Kerry in Ireland. Both are fine singers and song collectors, and gifted instrumentalists as well. The two friends joined up for an album called Dual in which they share the connections through song of the their two languages and landscapes.

for the classical music lover
Tony McManus is a top notch Celtic guitarist. At a festival, he admired a friend's playing of a classical piece, and was challenged “Learn it then!” So he did, and that led to a side excursion from his Celtic path resulting in the album Mysterious Boundaries which includes pieces from Bach and Satie among others. “It’s not traditional classical guitar repertoire,” McManus says. “It’s very much a Celtic guitar player’s look at some pieces of classical music.”

for those who love country and Americana music
The mandolin is John Reischman’s instrument of choice, On Walk Along John he burns up bluegrass flavored pieces and takes turns toward reflective ones as well, and offers tasty original music woven in to a lively and engaging set.

Kathy Mattea has been thinking about her native West Virginia and the coal country in the Appalachian mountains lately. One result of her reflections is the recording Calling Me Home. Songs of change, songs of work, songs of faith, and through it all threads of love for the mountain landscape.

seasonal music
speaking of Mattea, she has two fine holiday albums out. Take a listen to Joy for Christmas Day and Good News.

and speaking of Americana, think Snowed In. That is the name of a five song seasonal EP Mindy Smith has out just in time to put on your holiday gift list. Tomorrow Is Christmas Day is a whimsical and welcoming original that catches the anticipation of the season. There are thoughtful versions of What Child Is This? and Silent Night. The title track, Snowed In, is a fine reflection on the quieter side of holiday joy, and smith looks to the new year with her take on Auld Lang Syne -- all these are among the gifts she offer on this fine seasonal journey.

note click on the album covers and text links to learn more about these recordings.

This is just a taste of the fine music there is to discover, for yourself and for those you’re putting on your holiday gift list. Take a listen to these, and explore the archives here at Music Road, too.

photograph by Kerry Dexter. it is copyrighted, and thank you for respecting that.

You may also wish to see
Cathie Ryan: teaching tradition
listening to Christmas: Shannon Heaton, Cathie Ryan, Mary Black, Hanneke Cassel

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holiday gift ideas: early edition

It is a time of year when travels, visits, and friends and family gatherings come along, as well as many holidays. Music is is always a good gift, and easy to carry along with you, great to share. As you may be beginning to choose gifts for those holiday visits here are suggestions to get you thinking. Follow the links in the titles of these albums to learn more about each of them.


If you’ve someone who enjoys quiet meditation in his or her music, Bill Miller’s Spirit Wind East could be just the thing. Miller is Native American, of the Stockbridge-Munsee-Mohican nation. He has worked with artists in many areas of music and created his own albums as well. For this one, he uses the breath of his flute to reflect on the spirit, landscape and lives of the tribes of the northeastern United States. Music includes Where Waters never Still, Eastern Woodland, Nighthawk, and Founding Brothers.

If you’ve a person on your list who enjoys songs which are like three minute movies, filled with character and story, then Matraca Berg’s album The Dreaming Fields is a good choice. Berg’s stories will make you think as well as entertain you, and she is a fine singer as well.

New parents as well as lovers of Celtic music on your list will enjoy Lullabies for Love. On it, musicians including to Irish band Altan and Scottish style composer and fiddle player Hanneke Cassel join up for a collection of songs for children and parents. Proceeds from the album go to help a project for children in Kenya, too.

Those Celtic music lovers will also like Shannon Heaton’s The Blue Dress, which comprises traditional and original Irish music on the flute. In fact, if you’ve someone with adventurous music tastes on your list, why not choose both
Miller’s and Heaton’s flute music for them. Perhaps add Fred Morrison’s Outlands for a taste of innovative music from Scotland on the bagpipes, too.You could add in Everything Is Everywhere from Carrie Newcomer, as well, an album in which Americana and the music of India meet.

How about seasonal music? Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra has that covered, with Song of Solstice. Music for the light and dark of the holiday season and the turning of the year, quiet pieces and ones to sing along with are just a taste of the interesting and lively music on this disc. Perhaps you’ll get Song of Solstice for yourself as well, to get you in the festive mood as you prepare for the winter holidays.


you may also wish to see
Music Road: holiday gift list: American harvest
Music Road: Best Music, 2010

For your holiday gift list

It’s a time for getting together, for celebrating, for sharing and giving at this season. What better gift than music? Not expensive, easily portable, works equally well as a hostess gift, a gift for a well loved friend, and for yourself. and always a lot of fun, to give and to receive.

As you are considering your holiday shopping list, here are several ideas:

*if you know someone who loves history
Wilderness Plots: the dvd will be an excellent gift. Five top songwriters share stories and songs of how they came to write about the history of southern Indiana and the Ohio Valley. This would also am make a fine gift for the songwriters on your list

*if you or someone on your list is thinking green
read about the music of Adrienne Young and check out her three albums. Young, who comes from a farm backgorund, works to support sustainable agriculture and independent farmers and community gardens. He music is vibrant mix of folk, country, and bluegrass,, touching on the deeper sides of everyday actions.


*for those who love Ireland and Irish America
Any of Cathie Ryan’s four solo discs is a great choice -- my favorite is her most recent, The Farthest Wave. Ryan builds bridges between history and present day, legend and reality, and Ireland and America in her work. There’s more about all that here: Cathie Ryan: Irish and American


*parents and grandparents on your list
will go for the album Mother by Robin Spielberg, Cathie Ryan, and Susan McKeown. it’s varied and thoughtful collection of songs and instrumental pieces to do with motherhood and being a parent that you and they will not have heard before.

*for the Francophile and Francophone on your list
Christine Albert’s Christine Albert: Paris, Texafranceis a great pick. Albert’s family background is French and French Swiss; she’s known as an American folk and country musician. She weaves both of those together on this recording. For more the folk side of her work, check out Albert’s Christmas CD collaboration with her husband, Chris Gage, called One More Christmas


*for those who are considering questions of faith


add Carrie Newcomer’s The Geography of Light to your list. Darkness and light, laughter and prayer, and the idea that there are often more questions than answers even when working in the realm of faith inform Newcomer’s work.


*for who those like to try new things
the album Dual, from Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, is a good choice. The two A list singers offer music which explores connections and differences between songs in Irish and in Scots Gaelic. And no, you needn’t understand the languages to appreciate what they’re getting at. Catriona McKay’s Starfish is another musical adventure, as she combines Scottish traditional music, original compositions, the harp, and computer generated elements in her work.

*for those who are learning music, or would like to
Shannon Heaton plays flutes and whistles, but her book, Oil for the Chain, has information about learning tunes, playing in sessions, backing up lead players, and writing music, that’ll be of use to those who play many different instruments.
there’s plenty of music included, and it’s played through clearly on the CD which accompanies the book, which you can find here

Ellery Klein’s Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle
is another book with information that’s useful to musicians of many styles and levels. Klein, former member of the band Gaelic Storm, takes you from the basics of buying and caring for a fiddle to caring for yourself as you’re playing, to learning tunes, and offers guides to practicing. She includes plenty of music and loads of resources for learning more. The book is filled with examples and tunes to learn form Scottish, Cape Breton, Irish, and bluegrass music, and there’s a CD/dvd which comes along with the book as well.

*for those who’d like refreshing holiday music



Gretchen Peters’ Northern Lights is a fine mix of traditional contemporary and original music, catching the spirits of both solitude and connection at winter time, while Matt and Shannon Heaton’s Fine Winter's Night considers the holiday season from perspectives both Celtic and American.


Its’ a time for giving, receiving, sharing, and listening....enjoy the music.

Here’s another article you might like to see
Music Road: creative practice: new years eve

-->Your support for Music Road is welcome and needed. If you are able to chip in, here is a way to do that, through PayPal. Note that you do not have to have a PayPal account to do this. Thank you.