Stars, stories, and music

Looking forward, looking back...

and wishing all here, regular reader or first time visitor, all the best in this coming year

It is likley to be a year of uncertainty and change.

Music wil continue to be a good companion and a way to conect in these times.

I’ve many more good ideas on that to share with you here in days to come.

For the looking back part, several of your favourite stores from the past

Irish music, Irish landscape

Music and Mystery: a conversation with Carrie Newcomer

Scotland’s music: Laws of Motion from Karine Polwart, inge Thompson, and Steven Polwart

Spell Songs II: Let the Light In from Kris Drever, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Rachel Newton, and more...

Fine Winter’s Night from Matt and Shannon heaton

To the looking forward part, I expect to b telling you about music from a range of musicians from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the many musics which make up the folk music of the United States.

I invite you to explore otehr places where I write too including

The ongoing Music for Shifting Times series at Wandering Educators

Regular stories at Perceptive Travel

Alongside the Music Road, my newsletter at Substack

You may also find me on facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and BlueSky

Thank you for reading here.

As we come into this new year, I’d also remind you of these words about courage in hard times, true for the United States auduence to whom they were addressed and beyond America as well:

"There is an adage: Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time. For the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But, America, if it is: Let us fill the sky with the light of a billion brilliant stars.

"May the light of optimism, faith, truth, and service guide us—even in the face of setbacks—toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America."
Kamala Harris

and these words also

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I've begun publishing an occasional newsletter at Substack with more stories about music, the people who make it, and the places which inspire it. Come visit and check it out...

Photograph of birds by Andreas Hoja from Pixabay