Stars in the Rafters

Quick announcement: Temporary pause

starsintherafters@gmail.com (Julie Vallimont) — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 21:18:41 +0000

Hello, everyone. This is just a quick update to say that Stars in the Rafters will be going on pause for a couple weeks while I deal with a situation. Unfortunately my apartment was flooded recently, and I have to relocate on short notice. Once life settles down back to normal and I can set up my home recording studio again, Stars in the Rafters will be back! Take care, everyone. - Julie

45. Keep moving

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Ruth’s Waltz - Dave Wiesler (Newark, DE). This original waltz is on Dave’s 2001 album Cracks and Shadows. https://davewiesler.com

2. An excerpt from The Once and Future King, by T. H. White. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Kilcommon / The Volunteer - Airdance (MA, VT). This set of tunes is from the 2000 album Rodney Miller’s Airdance. https://greatmeadowmusic.com/miller.html

4. When this is over, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

5. Tide and the River Rising (Oars) - Cindy Kallet (IN). Cindy composed this song for a memorial service held for a close friend of her father. It seems to fit occasions of birth, marriage, despair and hope just as well. Cindy recorded ‘Oars’ on Dreaming Down a Quiet Line. www.cindykallet.com

6. The winter bird, by Jones Very. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Snowmelt - Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). Owen plays this original waltz with Naomi Morse, Anna Patton, and Dave Haughey on Daybreak, his album of original waltzes. https://owenmorrison.com/

The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, CDS-Boston, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

44. Love like the moon

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Irish Girl - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This song is from Lissa’s 2005 eponymous album. https://lissafiddle.com/

2. My worst habit, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. All That You Ask Me - Airdance (VT, MA). This is from the 2000 album Rodney Miller’s Airdance. https://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/

4. 1888, by Rumi. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

5. The Discharged Drummer - Nightingale (VT). From Nightingale’s album Sometimes When the Moon is High. Nightingale is Becky Tracy, Keith Murphy, and Jeremiah McLane. https://www.nightingalevt.org/

6. Never Love Thee More - Alchemy (MA, VT). Alchemy performs this English Country Dance tune on their album Turning of the Hour. Alchemy is Eric Martin, Rachel Bell, and Karen Axelrod. https://rachelbellmusic.com/

7. Like the moon, by Susan Reid. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

8. None So Lovely - Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand (NY, NC). This song is on their album A Certain Tree. https://www.andrewandnoah.com/andrewandnoah/dev/music/

43. Bright winter nights

Wed, 3 Feb 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Great Falls - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). A cheerful polska. Someday lydia’s town will reclaim this name, first bestowed on her area (in a variety of languages) when it was known as a peaceful gathering spot for the Native tribes who congregated here. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. Now winter nights enlarge, by Thomas Campion. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

3. The Stormy Scenes of Winter - Keith Murphy (Brattleboro, VT). Keith sings this traditional song on his 2005 solo album, Bound for Caanan. https://keithmurphy.bandcamp.com/

4. Bright star, by John Keats. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. Morag’s Waltz - George Wilson and Friends (NY). This track is on the Great Meadow compilation album Contra Roots and Branches. https://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/crb.html

6. An excerpt from For one who is exhausted, a blessing, from To Bless the Space Between Us, by John O’Donohue. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. La Gueussinette - Tidal Wave (QC) - This mazurka by Stephen Jones is on Tidal Wave’s eponymous debut album. http://home.total.net/~j.saintcyr/index\_eng.html

42. The inner world of sleep

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Wherever You Go When You Sleep - Wild Asparagus (MA and VT). This song, with words by Keith Murphy and music by David Cantieni, is on Wherever You Go. Wild Asparagus is Becky Tracy, David Cantieni, George Marshall, Ann Percival, and Stuart Kenney. http://band.wildasparagus.com

2. Nocturne, by Sir Charles Douglas George Roberts. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Middle of Night - Elixir. Kate Barnes wrote this waltz when she was experiencing insomnia. This track is from Elixir’s second album, Rampant. https://elixirband.bandcamp.com

4. Darkness, by John Crowe Ransom. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

5. Lady Night - Eloise & Co. (Brattleboro, VT). Eloise & Co. is Becky Tracy and Rachel Bell. This song, by Noah VanNorstrand and Kailyn Wright, is on More, Please! https://eloiseandco.bandcamp.com

6. Night and sleep, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Cold is the Night - Kallet, Epstein, & Cicone (MA and IN). Ellen Epstein & Michael Cicone requested that Cindy write a song for the trio to sing. One bitterly cold winter night, stopped by the side of the road, and atop the hood of her car on the drive from Amherst to Boston, Massachusetts, she obliged. www.cindykallet.com

41. Ringing the bells of change

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Jamestown Homeword Bound - Jeff Warner (Portsmouth, NH). Jeff notes, “Jeff Davis, my music partner for twenty years, found this song in Joanna Colcord’s 1938 book, Songs of American Sailormen.” It can be found on his most recent album, Roam the Country Through. www.jeffwarner.com

2. Pray, by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Buonaparte - Keith Murphy (Brattleboro, VT). Keith wrote some additional lyrics for this traditional song he recorded on Bound For Caanan, his 2005 solo album. https://keithmurphy.bandcamp.com/

4. After sunset, by Grace Hazard Conkling. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

5. Joy After Sorrow - Bare Necessities (MA and VT). Bare Necessities is Jacqueline Schwab, Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis, and Kate Barnes. This tune is on their album Nightcap. https://barenecessities.bandcamp.com

6. Making peace, by Denise Levertov. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Ring Out, Wild Bells - Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Middletown, CT). Rani’s original setting of text by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is on their 2016 album Wintersong. https://raniarboanddaisymayhem.bandcamp.com

40. The art of winter

starsintherafters@gmail.com (Julie Vallimont) — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:32:01 +0000

1. Winter Snow / Never Go Astray / Lion’s Mane - Jeremiah McLane (Sharon, VT). This track is on Jeremiah’s most recent solo album, The Grinding Stone. The first tune is a traditional English carol; the others are original tunes by Jeremiah. www.jeremiahmclane.com

2. The art of winter, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Courage - Cindy Kallet (Bloomington, IN). Cindy Kallet wrote the verses to this song, but the words to the chorus came directly from an e-mail sent to her by Grey Larsen, at a time when life was especially challenging for both of them. It was recorded on their duo album, Cross the Water. www.cindykallet.com

4. I taste a liquor never brewed, by Emily Dickinson. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

5. Chili and Chocolate - Eloise & Co. (Brattleboro, VT). Eloise & Co. is Becky Tracy and Rachel Bell. Becky played the beginning of this melody as an air for her sister Ruth's wedding. She dedicates the tune to Ruth and her husband Dave. This track is on More, Please! https://eloiseandco.bandcamp.com

6. I taught myself to live simply, by Anna Akhmatova. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

7. O Successores Fortissimi Leonis - Cardamom Quartet (Boston, MA). Cardamom Quartet is Lisa Goddard, Rachel Panitch, Gillian Gallagher, and Ariel Friedman. Rachel writes, “This ancient song by Hildegard von Bingen was arranged for string quartet by Lisa Goddard. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each member of Cardamom Quartet recorded their part separately from home - and this special arrangement allowed them to play "together" without the use of a click track.” Check out the video Lisa produced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xumOD3tdkR0 http://www.cardamomquartet.com/

39. Joy and sorrow

Wed, 6 Jan 2021 22:00:00 +0000

1. Villagers All - Andy, Robin, Arthur, and Emma Davis; and Emma Schneider (Brattleboro, VT). Andy writes, “Here is a song that we have sung at the Brattleboro Christmas Eve pub sing over the years. Our family created this virtual performance this year. Words by Kenneth Grahame from The Wind in the Willows, music by me.”

2. Joy and sorrow, an excerpt from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

3. North: Northern Air - Crowfoot (VT and QC). Crowfoot is Jaige Trudel, Adam Broome, and Nicholas Williams. This track is from their 2005 album Nadajai. www.crowfootmusic.com

4. Kindness, by Naomi Shihab Nye. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. El Sueño de la Muñaquita - Mary Lea (Brattleboro, VT). Steve Proctor, Keith Murphy, and Ralph Gordon play this waltz by Paraguayan composer Augustin Barrios Mangore on Mary Lea’s album Between Two Worlds. https://dancefiddler.com

6. For the raindrop, by Ghalib. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

7. Evergreen - Becky Tracy (Brattleboro, VT). Becky plays this Keith Murphy waltz on her eponymous solo album. https://blackislemusic.com

38. Every day starts anew

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 20:44:07 +0000

1. Bright Wings - Bright Wings Chorus (VT). This song by Brendan Taaffe is on the 2013 Bright Wings Chorus album Signs and Wonders. https://brendantaaffe.bandcamp.com/

2. The word, by Tony Hoagland. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Soul of the Limestone Rock - Nightingale (VT). This waltz by Jeremiah McLane is on Nightingale’s 1996 album Sometimes When the Moon is High. www.nightingalevt.org

4. I dwell in possibility, by Emily Dickinson. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. The Star of Bethlehem - Tim Eriksen (Amherst, MA). Tim’s setting of this hymn text is on his 2011 album Star In The East. https://timeriksen.bandcamp.com

6. When you must start again, by Sarah Hirsch (RI). Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

7. Spark in the Dark - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie plays this original tune with Noah VanNorstrand on her solo album, Dark Sky, Bright Stars. https://julievallimont.com/

37. The shortest day

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:24:33 +0000

1. Singing in the Land - Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Middletown, CT). This traditional Appalachian song is on their 2016 album Wintersong. https://raniarboanddaisymayhem.bandcamp.com

2. In between the sun and moon, by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Winter Blossom Waltz - Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). Owen wrote this waltz for the wedding of Kent Gilbert and Diana Hultgren. It’s on Daybreak, his album of original waltzes. https://owenmorrison.com/

4. Sure on this shining night, by James Agee. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

5. Silent Night - Tim Eriksen (Amherst, MA). Tim’s version of this traditional carol is on his 2011 album Star In The East. https://timeriksen.bandcamp.com

6. The shortest day, by Susan Cooper. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming - Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Middletown, CT). This traditional German carol, accompanied by clawhammer banjo, is also on Wintersong. https://raniarboanddaisymayhem.bandcamp.com

36. Heart of the world

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 04:24:26 +0000

1. Heart of the World - Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Middletown, CT). This song by Rani Arbo is from their 2015 album Violets are Blue. https://raniarboanddaisymayhem.bandcamp.com

2. For my morning mirror, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Piper on the Hill - Dave Wiesler (Newark, DE). Dave, Susan Brandt, and Earl Gaddis play this original tune on Cracks and Shadows. https://davewiesler.com

4. An excerpt from The old astronomer, by Sarah Williams. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

5. Îles de la Madeleine - Mary Cay Brass (Athens, VT). This waltz is on Green Mountain, an album featuring women musicians from the Connecticut Valley in Vermont and Massachusetts. https://marycaybrass.com/

6. Blackberries, by Margaret Atwood. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Sally in our Alley - Bare Necessities (MA and VT). Bare Necessities is Jacqueline Schwab, Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis, and Kate Barnes. https://barenecessities.bandcamp.com

35. Memories and visions

Wed, 9 Dec 2020 22:08:11 +0000

1. Time Will End - Nightingale (MA and VT). Nightingale is Keith Murphy, Becky Tracy, and Jeremiah McLane. This tune by Jeremiah can be found on The Coming Dawn, Nightingale’s first album. https://www.nightingalevt.org

2. Memory of Cape Cod, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Great Memories - New England Tradition. This waltz is the final track on Farewell to the Hollow. New England Tradition is Bob McQuillen, April Limber, and Peter Colby. https://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/mcquillen.html

4. A valediction: Forbidding mourning, by John Donne. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

5. All the Salt - Arrowsmith:Robb Trio (Ottawa, ON and Sheffield, UK). The Arrowsmith:Robb Trio is Jess Arrowsmith, Richard Arrrowsmith, and Ian Robb. Jess wrote this song and describes it as “a non-religious spiritual—a Humanist hymn perhaps.” https://www.artrio.co.uk/

6. Old tunes, by Sara Teasdale. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

7. Portsmouth - Bare Necessities (MA and VT). Bare Necessities is Jacqueline Schwab, Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis, and Kate Barnes. This Playford tune from 1701 is on their album Nightcap. https://barenecessities.bandcamp.com

34. If a tree could wander

Wed, 2 Dec 2020 22:12:37 +0000

1. Högtidsmarsch (Ceremonial march) - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). A traditional Swedish bridal march from Västmanland, played here on 5-string fiddle and harmonium. The majesty of this tune perfectly suits the grand sound of the harmonium. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. An excerpt from If a tree could wander, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. The Setting - Wild Asparagus (MA and VT). This song by Ralph McTell is on Wild Asparagus’s album From the Floor Up. Wild Asparagus is Becky Tracy, David Cantieni, George Marshall, Ann Percival, and Stuart Kenney. http://band.wildasparagus.com

4. Wild swans, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben writes, “For me, like many I have a close personal connection with the poem Wild geese by Mary Oliver—the parallels to this poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay were intriguing to me, and speak also of the longing for freedom evoked in seeing wild birds overhead.”

5. Dininha - Mary Lea (Brattleboro, VT). This Brazilian choro waltz is on Between Two Worlds, by Mary Lea and Friends. https://dancefiddler.com

6. Landscape, by Charles Baudelaire. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Aida - Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand (NY and NC). This original tune, with Andrew, Noah, and friends, is on The Waltz Album from 2015. https://andrewandnoah.bandcamp.com/

33. Giving thanks for community

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 22:01:30 +0000

1. Soaring High - Crowfoot (VT and QC). Crowfoot is Jaige Trudel, Adam Broome, and Nicholas Williams. This track is from their 2006 album As the Crow Flies. www.crowfootmusic.com

2. Thank you, by Ross Gay. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Beautiful Life - Jeff Warner (Portsmouth, NH). Jeff learned this song, a country and bluegrass standard, from Jeff Goering, an Ohio fiddler. It can be found on his most recent album, Roam the Country Through. www.jeffwarner.com

4. And the people stayed home, by Kitty O’Meara. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben writes, “Kitty O'Meara is a retired teacher, hospice chaplain, and lifelong writer in Wisconsin. Previously unpublished, she has been called the poet laureate of the pandemic for this poem that perfectly encapsulates the moment we find ourselves in.”

5. The Coming Spring - Andrew VanNorstrand (Manlius, NY). Kailyn Wright and Andrew sing this song on Andrew’s solo album, That We Could Find a Way to Be. https://andrewvannorstrandmusic.bandcamp.com

6. Rain, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Over the Ice - Becky Tracy, Keith Murphy, and Andy Davis (Brattleboro, VT). This Keith Murphy tune is from the New England Dancing Masters series album Any Jig or Reel. https://dancingmasters.com

32. The unfrequented road

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 02:32:15 +0000

1. Margaret Mary Robinson / The Sweetness of Mary - Tim Ball and Sophie Orzechowski (Ithaca, NY). This set of Cape Breton tunes is from Tim and Sophie’s album Life of their Own. https://timandsophie.bandcamp.com/releases

2. I walk the unfrequented road, text of the hymn by Frederick Hosmer. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

3. Valse por Pélé / Early - Wild Asparagus (MA and VT). This waltz set, with a song by Greg Brown, is from Wild Asparagus’s album Wherever You Go. Wild Asparagus is Becky Tracy, David Cantieni, George Marshall, Ann Percival, and Stuart Kenney. www.wildasparagus.com

4. When I heard the learn’d astronomer, by Walt Whitman. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

5. Piece of Land - Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Middletown, CT). This song by Rani Arbo is from her 2015 album Violets are Blue. https://raniarboanddaisymayhem.bandcamp.com

6. An excerpt from To Bless the Space Between Us, by John O’Donohue. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. High on the Hill / Full Moon Jig - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). These jigs by Julie are on her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. www.julievallimont.com

31. As the tide comes in

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:49:59 +0000

1. Pacific Sunrise / The Sun Still Shines / The Reel MacGyver - Chimney Swift (Boston, MA). Chimney Swift is Cecile Leroy, Daniel Raine, Yaron Shragai, and A.Z. Madonna. “Pacific Sunrise” and “The Sun Still Shines” are by Cecile, written on a red-eye flight to New Zealand. A.Z.’s improvisations over them turned into “The Reel MacGyver.” This track appears on their album, Fly Me Home. https://chimneyswift.bandcamp.com/

2. The Mary Ellen Carter - Ian Robb (Ottawa, ON). Finest Kind (Ian, Ann Downey, and Shelley Posen) performs this Stan Rogers song as the final track on Ian’s 1994 album, From Different Angels. www.ianrobb.com

3. Ode to the fish, by Ellen Bass. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

4. Ralph’s Watch - Anadama (Portland, ME). Anadama is Amelia Mason (fiddle), Bethany Waickman (guitar), and Emily Troll (accordion). This waltz by Judy Hyman can be found on their new CD, Way Back When, available for purchase on Bandcamp and their website. www.anadamamusic.com http://anadama.bandcamp.com

5. Breath, by Kabir. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

6. Home is the Sailor - Bright Wings Chorus. “Home is the Sailor” was composed by Brendan Taaffe, using a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was a commissioned piece to celebrate the birthday of Sophie Elkins Rolston and is performed by The Bright Wings Chorus on their album Vineyard. http://brendantaaffe.bandcamp.com

7. As the tide comes in, by Cale Young Rice. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT), with musical accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

30. This too shall pass

Wed, 4 Nov 2020 22:06:50 +0000

1. Praise song for the day, written by Elizabeth Alexander and read by her at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. For a video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_vLBnFk-OFc

2. Regain / Psalm of Life / Plant Un Chou - Nightingale (VT). Nightingale is Keith Murphy, Becky Tracy, and Jeremiah McLane. “Psalm of Life” is a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem set to music by Lotus Dickey. https://www.nightingalevt.org

3. Everything is going to be all right, by Derek Mahon. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

4. Jamie Allen - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This traditional tune is from Lissa’s 2010 album Dance. www.lissafiddle.com/

5. Let the beauty we love, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

6. Vignette III - This Too Shall Pass - The Teacups (Medford, MA and UK). The Teacups are Alex Cumming, Kate Locksley, Rosie Calvert, and Will Finn. From their latest album, In Which… . www.theteacups.co.uk/

7. Lullaby - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). This is a live performance of a tune by Julie from a CD release concert for her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Julie plays with Lissa Schneckenburger, Anna Patton, and Elise Gawler. www.julievallimont.com.

29. Autumn migrations

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 22:37:21 +0000

1. High Clouds - Greenfield Dance Band (MA and VT). This waltz is the title track on the album the Greenfield Dance Band recorded for Great Meadow Music. The Greenfield Dance Band is David Kaynor, Mary Cay Brass, Peter Siegel, and Stuart Kenney, with guests. https://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/kaynor.html

2. Late migration, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Lorelei Erisis (Northampton, MA).

3. C'est Aujourd'hui Grande Fête - Keith Murphy (Brattleboro, VT). This track is from Keith’s first solo album, Bound For Canaan. Becky Tracy plays fiddle. https://keithmurphy.bandcamp.com/.

4. Song for autumn, by Mary Oliver. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. The Lark on the Strand / Drummond Castle - Phoenix (MA and CA). Phoenix is Nora Smith (fiddle), Corey Walters (flute), and Christopher Jacoby (guitar). This set of traditional tunes is available on their eponymous EP. https://phoenix-danceband.bandcamp.com/releases

6. Back pain, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Sweettalk Darkness - Tristan Henderson (Burlington, VT). Tristan wrote this tune and recorded it at home. www.petesposse.com

8. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah - Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This track is from Pete Sutherland’s 1984 album Poor Man’s Dream. www.petesposse.com

28. Imagine that

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 21:55:31 +0000

1. Belle of Greensboro / Till havs I motorbåt (To sea in a motorboat) - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). The first waltz, by lydia, is named for Mary Jellicorse, a gracious and graceful dancer. The second is by fiddler Sixten Engström, who lived way up in northern Sweden and held a great love for fishing. Played here on 5-string fiddle and piano. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. Imagine that, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT), with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). This poem was written by Susan Reid this summer and Aaron Marcus and Sam Sanders wrote and arranged most of the music this fall. The outro tune, "In Irene's Wake," commemorates the unbelievably blue sky and sun the day after Tropical Storm Irene slammed into central Vermont--yet another time that felt apocalyptic and changed the fabric of our communities. More of Aaron's music, including Susan's poetry (read by Sam and set to music), can be found on their Bandcamp site: https://aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

3. Lad O’Beirn’s / Ha’penny Reel - Maivish. Maivish is Adam Broome (guitar), Jaige Trudel (fiddle), and Matthew Olwell (bodhrán). This previously unreleased track includes two traditional tunes. www.maivish.com/

4. Nahant, by Sara Teasdale. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben reflects, “As always, I love Sara Teasdale's visceral description of the sea and shore. Although she was living through World War I a hundred years ago, the sea and the shore have provided me the same unchanging calm in our times of modern conflict as well.”

5. Sleepy Eyes - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This song, written by Mark Simos and sung by Keith Murphy, is on Lissa’s album Different Game. www.lissafiddle.com

6. At nightfall, by Albert Phelps. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. August Lullaby - Jacob Chen (Norman, OK). Jacob wrote this waltz in 2019. He notes, “This tune came about after feeling the warm summer vibes of August evenings in Oklahoma. Initially written as a straight waltz, the tune has adopted a mazurka-like feel over time.”

27. The beauty of fall

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:14:25 +0000

1. Everything Will Be Alright - Echo Women's Choir (Toronto, ON). Rachel Bokhout writes, “This is a live 2014 recording of the Echo Women's Choir, performing with singer-songwriter Victoria Moon Joyce. We offer this for the podcast as a reminder to keep faith - this season too shall pass. Blue skies are coming, and we'll gather again to make music once more.” This track, with words and music by Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland, can be found on the choir’s 2018 album One Voice. www.echowomenschoir.ca

2. The Smiler - Arrowsmith:Robb Trio (Ottawa, ON and Sheffield, UK). The Arrowsmith:Robb Trio is Jess Arrowsmith, Richard Arrrowsmith, and Ian Robb. Ian writes, “Rich may have evolved this lovely upbeat tune slightly from the playing of the very smiley Steve Turner.” https://www.artrio.co.uk/

3. God’s world, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

4. The Lucky Reel / Sail the Other Side - Andrew VanNorstrand (Manlius, NY). This duet with Anna Patton (clarinet) is from Andrew’s solo album That We Could Find a Way to Be. https://andrewvannorstrandmusic.bandcamp.com

5. Fly away, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

6. Ashokan Twilight - Live Wire (Philadelphia, PA). Live Wire is Tom Krumm on fiddle, Ben Kennedy on keyboard, Bill Quern on mandolin, and Sarah Gowan on concertina. Bill notes, “Tom Krumm wrote this tune for the Ashokan Music and Dance camps which have had a profound impact on his entire life.” http://livewirecontra.band/.

7. An excerpt of Beauty, from Poems of Optimism, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

8. Kenema - Jeremiah McLane (Sharon, VT). This track is from Jeremiah’s album Freetown. www.jeremiahmclane.com

26. Hills for climbing

Wed, 7 Oct 2020 23:57:08 +0000

1. The Winter Rose / Verdant - Maivish. Maivish is Adam Broome (guitar) and Jaige Trudel (fiddle). This previously unreleased track includes two tunes written by Jaige. www.maivish.com/

2. The Apple Picker's Waltz / The Beautiful Lights Of Burlington - Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This track is from Pete Sutherland’s 1984 album Poor Man’s Dream. www.petesposse.com

3. Meadowlarks, by Sara Teasdale. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

4. Hills / Mulqueen's - Nightingale (VT). Pete Sutherland set this text by Arthur Guiterman to music. Nightingale is Keith Murphy (guitar), Becky Tracy (fiddle), and Jeremiah McLane (accordion). https://www.nightingalevt.org

5. Blessing the boats, by Lucille Clifton. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT), with musical accompaniment by Eleanor Lincoln (Northampton, MA).

6. Open Door - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This track is from Lissa’s first album, The Mad Hatter. www.lissafiddle.com

25. The big things and the small things

Thu, 1 Oct 2020 00:48:14 +0000

1. Land of Beauty / Ashmead’s Kernel - Maivish. Maivish is Adam Broome (mandola) and Jaige Trudel (fiddle). This previously unreleased track includes two tunes written by Adam. www.maivish.com/

2. Pied beauty, by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA), with musical accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

3. A Dream for Dorothea - Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). Owen wrote this tune for his paternal grandmother, who lived her entire life in Oakland, CA. Performed by Night Watch: Naomi Morse (fiddle), Elvie Miller (accordion), and Owen Morrison (guitar). https://owenmorrison.com/

4. Equinox, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. Càite a bheil i ann am Muile? - Dominique Dodge (Jackson, NH). This Gaelic love song, whose title translates to “Where is she on Mull?,” is on Dominique’s 2019 album Cànnan nan Teud (The Language of the Strings). https://dominiquedodge.com/

6. Night prayer, by Rumi. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Hay Rope - Jeremiah McLane (Sharon, VT). This track is on Jeremiah’s most recent solo album, The Grinding Stone. www.jeremiahmclane.com

24. Resilience

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 03:31:35 +0000

1. Jean-Paul Jigs: Le Tourment / Korolenko - Arise & Go (Newfield, NY). These tunes are both by Québécois musician and composer Jean-Paul Loyer and are from Arise & Go’s recent album Meeting Place. https://ariseandgo.bandcamp.com

2. Like barley bending, by Sara Teasdale. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben writes, “Like much of Sara Teasdale's poetry, I feel I can see the images she is describing, and I hope we all, like barley bending, are able to rise again from our pain and turn our sorrow into song.”

3. Aoife’s / Coleman’s March - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This track is from Lissa’s 2005 self-titled album. www.lissafiddle.com

4. Excerpts from If the trees can keep dancing, so can I, a community poem compiled by Kwame Alexander. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Kwame Alexander, NPR’s poet-in-residence, created this poem from crowdsourced submissions.

5. Longmeadow - Haley Hewitt (East Hartford, CT). Haley notes, “I wrote this piece at a time when I was living in Glasgow, UK and missing the trees of my hometown Longmeadow, MA in the United States. In writing this I wanted to capture the feeling of being surrounded by the tall trees which dominate the landscape, casting shadows and only letting shafts of sunlight through their leaves.” Recorded at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with Haley Hewitt (harp), Joe Armstrong (flute), and Marissa Helen Waite (bodhran).

6. Nothing will die, by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT), with musical accompaniment by Eleanor Lincoln (Northampton, MA).

7. All Will Be Well - Ethan Tischler (Lincolnville, ME). This studio single by Ethan Stokes and the Gawler Sisters was recorded this spring. Ethan notes, “Its lyrics trace their way back to the 14th century anchoress, mystic, and theologian Julian of Norwich, whose Revelations of Divine Love is the first known published (and still celebrated) work by a female author. The book, and the song, speak to the love and peace that persist and guide in even our most challenging times, as a people, a nation, an interwoven global community.” http://ethanstokestischler.bandcamp.com

23. Love stays loved and songs stay sung

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 22:57:29 +0000

1. Serenity Knoll / Dragon Hatchery - Buddy System (Brattleboro, VT and Asheville, NC). These tunes were written for two dear friends in the dance community from Jonesborough, TN. Performed by Julie Vallimont and Noah VanNorstrand on their album Ride the Wheel. www.buddysystemband.com/

2. Morris Set - The Teacups (Medford, MA and UK). These delightful tunes are from the Teacups! The Teacups are Alex Cumming, Kate Locksley, Rosie Calvert, and Will Finn. from their upcoming album In Which…, available for preorder. www.theteacups.co.uk/

3. One foot in summer, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

4. Golden Anniversary - Everest Witman (Montréal, QC). Everest composed, recorded, and produced this piece for his grandparents, who just celebrated 50 years of marriage together. www.facebook.com/everestwitmanmusic/

5. As imperceptibly as grief, by Emily Dickinson. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA), with fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA). Ben writes, “I love this poem — the way Emily Dickinson describes summer like a familiar old friend, and how summer's light is not fading or dying, but escaping ‘into the beautiful,’ makes it a little easier to bear.“

6. Songs Stay Sung - Zoe Mulford (Manchester, UK) and Windborne (MA and VT). Windborne collaborated on this performance with Zoe Mulford. Lauren Breunig writes, “We were able to spend a few days at [Zoe’s] house in Manchester (England) at the end of our UK tour in March. Zoe wrote the melody and lyrics of Songs Stay Sung, and in two whirlwind days we arranged, rehearsed, and recorded the track.” Visit the YouTube link for a video of their performance. https://windborne.bandcamp.com/track/songs-stay-sung https://youtu.be/b7p\_z40Zii4 www.zoemulford.com

7. Elephant’s Tail - Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT). Anna wrote, performed, and recorded this tune for Charis Boke’s birthday. It takes its title from William Stafford’s poem A ritual to read to each other. www.annapatton.com/

The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

22. Fields and flowers

Wed, 9 Sep 2020 22:32:13 +0000

1. The Bee’s Knees / Hey, Rusty! / A Boy’s Lament for His Dragon - Joanne Garton (Montpelier, VT). Performed with Michael Ayles, Simeon Chapin, Hollis Easter, and Aaron Marcus on Joanne's 2019 album The Bee's Knees. Joanne says, “‘The Bee's Knees’ was written one summer night in gratitude for the friendship of two amazing friends who truly encompass the tune's name. ‘Hey, Rusty!’ comes from a fiddle soulmate in Melbourne, Australia. ‘A Boy's Lament’ was learned from my piping teacher, Ken MacKenzie of Montreal.” www.joannegarton.com/

2. i thank you, by e.e. cummings. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

3. Black Mountain Spring - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie wrote this tune while on the plane home from LEAF, a magical music and dance festival in Black Mountain, NC. Recorded in five minutes of free time one day in the C Sharp dance hall at Pinewoods Camp. She dedicates this tune to her bandmate Noah VanNorstrand. www.julievallimont.com

4. The Rose of Allandale / Swannanoa - Ian Robb (Ottawa, ON). From Ian’s album Jiig, with James Stephens, Greg Brown and Ian Clark. Ian writes, “‘The Rose of Allandale’ is from the repertoire of England's great Copper Family, but I learned it from Nic Jones. One of the great choruses. Followed by Rayna Gellert's lovely waltz, ‘Swannanoa.’” www.ianrobb.com/

5. Sense-sweetness, by Cale Young Rice. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

6. Emilie’s Waltz - Eleanor Lincoln (Northampton, MA). Composed and performed on piano and violin by Eleanor.

7. Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802, by William Wordsworth. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

8. Lullaby for the Girls - Peter and Mary Alice Amidon (Brattleboro, VT). Mary Alice dedicates this song to her nieces. It’s from the Amidons' album A Song in My Heart. www.amidonmusic.com

The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

21. SPECIAL EPISODE: An ode to past camps and festivals, part 2

Wed, 2 Sep 2020 22:14:16 +0000

1. Beeswax Sheepskin - This recording was made standing in the woods at Pinewoods Camp outside of the main dance hall, C Sharp, at dusk, listening to the sounds of the birds and the evening dance happening. Recorded by Julie Vallimont at ESCape!, 2019.

2. Allie Crocker’s Reel / Lamplighter’s Hornpipe - Two rousing New England tunes, as performed by some of the Maine Fiddle Camp staff: Lissa Schneckenburger, Alden Robison, Benjamin Foss, Bennett Konesni, Corey DiMario, and Julie Vallimont. Recorded at Maine Fiddle Camp August Week 2, 2019.

3. We Shall Be Known - This was recorded at the All-Camp Chorale, a beloved feature of Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2019. Taught by Rani Arbo, written by Karisha Longaker.

4. The Hop Ground - Julie Vallimont and Aaron Marcus played 4 hands, 2 pianos for English Country Dancing at the Lavender Country and Folk Dancers (LCFD) May weekend, 2019. The caller is Graham Christian. Recorded by Chris Ricciotti.

5. Constant Billy - Another selection from All-Camp Chorale, at Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2017. This English song was the earworm for the whole camp all week! Taught and arranged by Alex Cumming (Medford, MA).

6. Mr. Pixton of Brookline (4x32R) - Hanneke Cassel, Calum Pasqua, Susan Worland, fiddles; Tom Pixton, piano; Barbara Pixton, bass; Mike MacNintch, pipes. From Live from C Sharp, an album recorded by Tom Pixton at Pinewoods during the 2010 Scottish Sessions. https://www.pixton.org/livefromcsharp/index.html

7. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, American-style - A live recording from the last night of TradMad week at Pinewoods Camp, 2015. At Pinewoods Camp, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a special moment. During the evening dance, the action on the dance floor pauses, the lights go out, and strains of a haunting tune can be heard approaching through the woods as ethereal costumed dancers emerge from the trees, clashing the deer antlers they carry in a ritualized dance that ends as mysteriously as it began. Recorded by Edmund Robinson.

8. It Is Time to Go Now - Matt Norman taught and arranged this traditional English song to All-Camp Chorale at Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2019.

9. Happy Trails - Happy Trails is always the last song that campers and staff sing together at the end of Maine Fiddle Camp. Led by the camp director Doug Protsik in 2014. Recorded by Amanda Witman.

Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

20. SPECIAL EPISODE: An ode to past camps and festivals, part 1

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 22:00:18 +0000

1. Pipe March: Caber Feidh - Mike MacNintch, piper. From Live from C Sharp, an album recorded by Tom Pixton at Pinewoods during the 2010 Scottish Sessions. https://www.pixton.org/livefromcsharp/index.html

2. The first camp, or, Prayer of a desperate folkie for the assimilation and eternal evocation of the glory around her, by Alexandra Christine Steffan. Read by Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Spread the Joy - Various campers and staff, from Cascade of Music and Dance at Camp Louise, 2019. Written by Jonathan Jensen in celebration of the Country Dance and Song Society’s centennial. Recorded by David Roodman. www.cdss100.org/spread-the-joy-song

4. The Highlandman Kissed His Mother (8x32R) - Paul Anderson, Hanneke Cassel, Calum Pasqua, Susan Worland, David Knight, fiddles; Rosalind Buda, bassoon; Tom Pixton, piano; Barbara Pixton, bass. A set of reels for Scottish Country Dancing. From Live from C Sharp, an album recorded by Tom Pixton at Pinewoods during the 2010 Scottish Sessions. https://www.pixton.org/livefromcsharp/index.html

5. What Ships Are For - This was recorded at the All-Camp Chorale, a beloved feature of Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2018. Taught by Arthur Davis (Brattleboro, VT), written by Andy Davis (Brattleboro, VT).

6. Les Deux Frères - A live recording from the staff concert at English Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2019, featuring Sarah Babbitt Spaeth, Eleanor Lincoln, Jonathan Werk, Naomi Morse, Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin, and Dave Langford. The tune is by Naragonia for the dance Gavotte de l'Aven. Recorded by Carrie Rose.

7. How Long, Watchman - A live recording from the staff concert at Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2018. Chrisiant Bracken writes, “‘How Long, Watchman’ is a Malcolm Dalglish composition based on two hymns that draw from the book of Revelation, with some new text referring to the fear and chaos of a nuclear holocaust. … It's such a fiddly piece with so much energy and I love how they all dove in and nailed it!” Recorded by Fiona Rogers.

8. Fifty-seven years of the New England Folk Festival, written and read by Rick Kaufman (Medford, MA). Rick notes, “I wrote this 6 years ago. I have been attending NEFFA since I was born. I'm currently 64, and I've been to 63 NEFFAs. I was so sorry to see it was canceled (although I agree with the decision!)”

9. Money Musk - A highlight of any week of contra dancing! This all-hands-on-deck musical extravaganza features the camp staff from American Dance and Music Week at Pinewoods, 2015. And the stomping of the exuberant dancers. Recorded by Jack Mitchell.

10. Hope Lingers On - Another selection from All-Camp Chorale, at Harmony of Song and Dance Week at Pinewoods, 2019. Written and taught by Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT).

19. Travels

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 22:00:11 +0000

1. Le Canal en Octobre / En Flandres - Anadama (Portland, ME). Anadama is Amelia Mason (fiddle), Bethany Waickman (guitar), and Emily Troll (accordion). This pair of schottisches by Frédéric Paris can be found on their new CD, Way Back When, available for purchase on Bandcamp and their website. www.anadamamusic.com http://anadama.bandcamp.com

2. Aboard at a ship’s helm, by Walt Whitman. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. Anderson’s Coast - Everest Witman (Montréal, QC). This tune is from Nova’s album Chasing the Sunset, featuring Kathleen Fownes on fiddle, Everest on guitar, and Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin on accordion. www.novatriomusic.com

4. Coté à Coté - Live Wire (Philadelphia, PA). Live Wire is Tom Krumm on fiddle, Ben Kennedy on keyboard, Bill Quern on mandolin, and Sarah Gowan on concertina. Bill writes, “Coté à Coté is French for Side by Side. Sarah wrote this inspired by French mazurkas, a closely danced kind of waltz. She was also thinking of it as a tune for any relationship between two.” http://livewirecontra.band/

5. Sailing to Byzantium, by William Butler Yeats. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

6. Orange in Bloom - Gus Voorhees (Somerville, MA). Gus describes this as “one of the best English tunes. A triumphant theme or a deep breath of summer air in the evening. Recorded at home.” https://linktr.ee/gusvoorhees

7. Travel, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben writes, “I think many of us are longing for travel these days - anywhere and any way. Sometimes thoughts of distant places, and traveling by car or train, fill both my day dreams and night dreams.”

8. Waiting for Phyllis - Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). This waltz, commissioned by Phillis Varga, is from Aaron Marcus’s solo album Men Don’t Cry. https://aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

18. Cool water

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 01:48:23 +0000

1. Aurora's schottis / Hägg bland björkar (Bird-cherry among birches) - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). A pair of friendly schottis tunes by lydia, played here on nyckelharpa and piano. The second owes its name to lydia’s family's namesake tree (Swedish "hägg" = Latvian "ieva"). Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. Hyla brook, by Robert Frost. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

3. Owl’s Cowl - Chimney Swift (Boston, MA). Chimney Swift is Cecile Leroy (cello), Daniel Raine (cittern, guitars, banjo), Yaron Shragai (recorders, whistles, percussion), and A.Z. Madonna (accordion). This is Daniel’s first tune written for cittern. He named it after an impressively plumed owl he saw perched high up in a friend’s tree. This track appears on their album, Fly Me Home. https://chimneyswift.bandcamp.com/

4. Eel-grass, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben notes, “Spending some time growing up by the ocean, I sometimes long deeply for that specific habitat, which contains so much unique natural beauty and so many images and stories in my mind.”

5. Eleanor Plunkett - Curt Osgood (Binghamton, NY). Curt writes, “Turlogh O’Carolan composed numerous moving and fanciful melodies popular with folk musicians everywhere today. Eleanor Plunkett is one of my favorites. Played on my dulcimer for a YouTube video short I made this past March, I strove to create a peaceful visual and auditory moment away from the stresses of the past several months.” You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/bC4X5Wwe8Xk www.curtosgood.com

6. Waterbound - Lauren Breunig (Brattleboro, VT). This song is from Windborne’s album Midwinter Meeting. They learned it from Dirk Powell in 2011, just before Vermont was hit by Tropical Storm Irene. Windborne is Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Mahoney Rowan, and Will Thomas Rowan. www.windbornesingers.com

7. Going for water, by Robert Frost. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

8. Capriccio Irreale - Mary Lea (Brattleboro, VT). This waltz by Kate Barnes is on Between Two Worlds, by Mary Lea and Friends. With Mary Lea (violin), Jeremiah McLane (accordion), Kate Barnes (piano), and Ralph Gordon (bass). https://dancefiddler.com/.

The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

17. Loving what is

Wed, 5 Aug 2020 22:56:16 +0000

1. Golden Gate Waltz - Everest Witman (Montréal, QC). This tune is from Nova’s album Little Sky, featuring Kathleen Fownes on fiddle, Everest on guitar, and Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin on accordion. www.novatriomusic.com

2. Stars, by Sara Teasdale. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA).

3. Tuula’s - MAC (CA and WA). This tune is performed by the band MAC, featuring Elias Alexander, Ryan McKasson, and Colin Cotter. It is found on their album Perfectly Manufactured Reality. www.tunesbymac.com

4. I wandered lonely as a cloud, by William Wordsworth. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

5. Bein’ Green - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie created a crankie to illustrate this well-loved song by Joe Raposo. This is Julie’s recording of the song from the crankie soundtrack. You can watch the crankie on her website: www.julievallimont.com/artwork/

6. Eugenia’s - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). A beautiful waltz written by New Hampshire dance musician and tune writer Bob McQuillen, recorded by Lissa Schneckenburger on her Dance album. Also with Bethany Waickman (guitar), Eric Merrill (viola), and Corey DiMario (double bass). www.lissafiddle.com

7. A song for healing, by Cale Young Rice. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). The music is an original untitled tune by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). https://aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/starsintherafters

16. We are enough

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 21:32:33 +0000

1. End Road Work - Alex Sturbaum (Olympia, WA). Alex wrote this song while on their first tour with their contra dance band Gallimaufry. It’s on their first solo album, River Run Wide and features vocals from the members of Gallimaufry. www.alexsturbaum.com

2. Finding joy, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

3. We can see a future now, by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT) with Ollie Cultrara. Read by Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT). Aaron says, “I started writing this in late 2019, but I wasn't entirely sure what some of the phrasing really meant until the pandemics of our times reared their ugly heads.” https://aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

4. The Dream Waltz - Anadama (Portland, ME). Anadama is Amelia Mason (fiddle), Bethany Waickman (guitar), and Emily Troll (accordion). This waltz by Cliff Stapleton is a favorite of theirs and can be found on their new CD, Way Back When, available for purchase on Bandcamp and their website. www.anadamamusic.com http://anadama.bandcamp.com

5. What Will We Do When We Have No Money? - Eleanor Lincoln and Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben and Eleanor describe this as “a beautiful song we learned from the singing of Lankum, whose almost dirge-like rendition really makes you feel like these are honest questions with real weight behind them.”

6. Livermore Chill - Tristan Henderson (Burlington, VT). Tristan says, “Livermore Chill was for some lovely hosts in Livermore, California... remembering chilling on their porch in the Cali sun eating an avocado.” www.petesposse.com

7. Glad sight wherever new with old, by William Wordsworth. Read by Margaret Youngberg (Greenfield, MA).

8. So Will We Yet - Amanda Witman and Everest Witman (Brattleboro, VT). Amanda says, “Everest came home unexpectedly during the first three months of the pandemic. We'd never before had a chance to work on song repertoire, so we took the opportunity to explore what we could create together. This song feels like a balm during these challenging times, especially as singing together is one of those things we can't safely do for awhile. ‘We've sung together many a time, and so will we yet.’ Everest's time at home came to an end, but before he left, we captured this as a memento. From Gordon Bok's ‘And So Will We Yet’ from Tony Cuffe's song ‘Sae Will We Yet’. Recorded 6/20/2020 in our dining room in Brattleboro with one mic and a single take.”

15. After the sky weeps

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 22:25:51 +0000

1. The Shortest Day / The Open Door - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). These two tunes by Julie feature Yann Falquet on guitar, Mark Roberts on banjo, Katie McNally on fiddle, and Julie on accordion and can be found on her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. www.julievallimont.com

2. A strange feather, by Hafiz. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

3. Somewhere Along the Road - Bob Mills (Montague, MA). Bob says, “This was written by Les Barker of England, who is known more for punny poems of the sort to elicit groans. I met Les in the late 90s in Albuquerque and found he was a much deeper poet than that, and then heard this song from June Tabor... which is about as deep as it goes.”

4. Journey, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT), with D modal improvisation by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT) on their tune “Meg and Jay.” https://aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

5. Testimony - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). This song, by Ali Burns, is an unreleased recording of a Bright Wings Chorus performance. www.brendantaaffe.com

6. An excerpt from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. After the Sky Weeps - Casey Murray and Molly Tucker (Boston, MA). Casey says, “This is a tune I wrote this spring after a rainstorm when I was feeling sad and thinking about how our planet could also be mourning as well. This tune is about the feeling of what might come after tears or sadness, such as release, hope, or emptiness. We originally arranged this tune for our housemates while we quarantined together, an ensemble of violin, viola, and three cellos.” https://caseymurraymusic.wixsite.com/home

14. Irrepressible

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 23:49:20 +0000

1. Polska efter Schedin - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). A traditional Swedish slängpolska tune from Västmanland, played here on nyckelharpa and piano. This thoroughly satisfying tune is a popular favorite with dancers. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. Stop the words now, by Rumi. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

3. Sweet Mary Starbuck - Alex Sturbaum (Olympia, WA). Alex’s “new old” song will be on their upcoming album Loomings, coming out July 24. www.alexsturbaum.com

4. Sea-Hoardings by Cale Young Rice. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. Farrell O’Gara - Curt Osgood (Binghamton, NY). Curt says, “Sometimes a spirited melody can sound as beautiful when presented in an air-like fashion. Farrell O’Gara is one of several I’ve found. A big thanks goes out to two amazing musicians, John Kirk and Jane Knoeck, whose immense talents added so much to the Newfield Sessions CD I produced a number of years ago and on which this melody and others can be heard.” www.curtosgood.com

6. Johnny Appleseed - Mary Alice Amidon (Brattleboro, VT). This is Mary Alice Amidon’s setting of the poem Johnny Appleseed by Stephen Vincent Benet and Rosemary Benet. Peter Amidon composed and is playing the piano accompaniment. Mary Alice vocals and banjo, Sam Amidon fiddle. This is from Peter and Mary Alice's album Hymns and Ballads. It was recorded in Brattleboro's Soundesign Studio in Brattleboro by Al Stockwell. A video of this song with its accompanying picture book is included on their Stories and Music Activities for Children page. www.amidonmusic.com. https://amidonmusic.com/workshops/workshop-notes/stories-and-music-activities-for-children/

7. An excerpt from Endymion Book I, by John Keats. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT), with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT).

8. Waiting on the Dawn - Noah VanNorstrand (Asheville, NC). This beautiful original fiddle tune is from Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand’s album A Certain Tree. https://greatbearrecords.bandcamp.com.

13. Under the same stars

Wed, 8 Jul 2020 23:29:21 +0000

1. The Man in the Moon - Andrew Marcus (Takoma Park, MD). This track comes from Callithump’s upcoming album. Callithump is Glyn Collinson (vocals and bouzouki), Andrew Marcus (accordion) and Abe Joyner-Meyers (fiddle). They and their ceilidh-band alter-ego Frog Hammer end many of their sets with this song. froghammerband.com

2. Meredith - Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). Owen wrote this waltz for his wife for the occasion of their first dance as a married couple. From Elixir’s album Anybody’s Guess. www.elixirmusic.com

3. The world rolls on, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

4. These Cold Nights - Jamie Oshima (Belfast, ME). This song is by Sean Oshima and is found on the Oshima Brothers' album Under the Same Stars. www.oshimabrothers.com

5. Knightstown - Haley Hewitt (East Hartford, CT). Michael O'Sullivan wrote this tune for the sleepy fishing village and ferry port to the County Kerry island of Valentia. This is the first and last sight when you approach or depart the island, so there are many fond and poignant memories of this place. www.haleyhewitt.com

6. May You See Diamonds - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). This song by Ali Burns is sung by the Bright Wings Chorus. www.brendantaaffe.com/

7. A bat is living, by Danny Dover (Bethel, VT). Read by Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT), with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). You can find more of Danny’s poetry in his most recent book, Tasting Precious Metal. www.antrimhousebooks.com/dover.html. This recording is from Aaron Marcus’s solo album Men Don’t Cry. aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases

12. The promise of summer

Thu, 2 Jul 2020 00:24:08 +0000

1. Moonshine Holler - Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This is an original waltz from Pete’s Posse’s latest recording project called Dance Party. This project is five full-length contra dance tracks plus this waltz. Designed to spur on a contra dance party at home, these tracks are available for download from their website. www.petesposse.com

2. This is what you shall do, by Walt Whitman. Read by Peter Amidon (Brattleboro, VT), with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT).

3. South Pond - Lauren Breunig (Brattleboro, VT). This song is from Windborne’s album Midwinter Meeting. Will Rowan wrote this shape note-style piece for his wife Lynn, naming it for the place in Marlboro, VT where they were married. www.windbornesingers.com

4. Afternoon on a hill, by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Read by Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT), with fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

5. I denna ljuva (In this lovely [summertime]) - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). This glorious waltz by Hans Kennemark, played here on 5-string fiddle and piano, gets its name from the opening phrase of a broadly known Swedish psalm. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

6. Father’s Day, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Bright Morning Stars - Peter Amidon (Brattleboro, VT). Peter Amidon's arrangement of the traditional American spiritual "Bright Morning Stars", recorded by Al Stockwell at Guilford Sound in Guilford, VT. The Starry Mountain Singers are Zara Bode, Stefan Amidon, Suzannah Park, Gideon Crevoshay, Jeff Fellinger, Emily Miller, Nathan Morrison, and Avery Book, joined here by Peter and Mary Alice Amidon and Cora Neilson Kelly. www.starrymountainsingers.com

8. Big Country - Everest Witman (Brattleboro, VT). This tune is from Nova’s album Little Sky, featuring Kathleen Fownes on fiddle, Everest on guitar, and Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin on accordion. www.novatriomusic.com

11. On the sea

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 02:02:50 +0000

1. Joan's Waltz - Oliver Scanlon (Burlington, VT). This gently swinging waltz by Oliver is from his 2014 solo album, The Pond Jam. www.petesposse.com

2. We Shall Not Cease, from Little Gidding, by T.S. Eliot. Read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

3. Chasing Horizons - Eric McDonald (Montréal, QC). This song is from an EP by Connor Garvey, a singer/songwriter from Portland, ME, which features Eric on mandolin. It's an EP of songs he wrote while he was on a ship sailing from Portland to Iceland. Eric says, “It has that sense of contemplative space and endlessness that I always associate with the sea, and somewhat what I feel when I listen to your podcast. You can visit Connor’s website to hear about it in his words.” www.chasing-horizons.com

4. Transfusion, an excerpt from Songs to A. H. R. by Cale Young Rice, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. Flor de Canela - Mary Lea (Brattleboro, VT). This traditional Mexican song from Michoacán State is played by Mary Lea - violin; Lise Brown - flute; Kate Barnes - piano; Ralph Gordon - bass. From Between Two Worlds, by Mary Lea & Friends.

6. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene Field, read by Nils Fredland (Hartland, VT). Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

7. Row On - MAC (CA and WA). This traditional song is performed by the band MAC, featuring Elias Alexander, Ryan McKasson, and Colin Cotter. It is found on their album Perfectly Manufactured Reality. The song tells a story of hope and perseverance on the seas. www.tunesbymac.com

10. Simple acts and simple beauties

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 22:29:30 +0000

1. Honey in the Woodpile / The Grinding Stone - Jeremiah McLane (Sharon, VT). These two compositions by Jeremiah are from his album The Grinding Stone and feature him on piano and accordion, Owen Marshall on bouzouki and guitar, and Corey DiMario on bass. “The title of the CD, The Grinding Stone, refers to a dream I had: inside a stone hut at that top of mountain, a man was hard at work chiseling free a huge stone grindstone, in the shape of a wheel, that looked as if it had been stuck for a very long time.” www.jeremiahmclane.com

2. An excerpt from Endymion, by John Keats, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). The music was composed by Anna Patton and Owen Morrison, and is performed by Owen.

3. No. 10 Pond / Sally in our Alley - Joanne Garton (Montpelier, VT). From Joanne Garton's 2019 album The Bee's Knees, featuring Joanne on fiddle with Aaron Marcus on piano. Joanne says, ”No. 10 Pond in Calais, Vermont is a place of celebration, solace, memories, and future. I wrote Michael's Delight for my husband on our wedding day at No. 10. Aaron taught me Sally in our Alley, an English tune from the 1600s, that we have also performed on the shores of this beautiful spot.”

4. What a Wonderful World - John Coté (Farmingdale, ME). John created a guitar arrangement of this classic song, written by by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. He says, “I think this version conveys nicely the challenge of seeing the world through a rosy lens, given the constant chaos and challenges we face while finding determination to feel gratitude.”

5. Mélanie au Salvador - Tristan Henderson (Burlington, VT). Tristan recently recorded this composition of his on solo guitar in his studio at home. He says, ”Mélanie au Salvador is for my wife's cousin who recently passed away, inspired by a beautiful photo of her in Salvador. Now she's on to another journey... “ www.petesposse.com

6. To make a prairie, by Emily Dickinson, read by Sam Sanders with music by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). Aaron says, ”This poem to me is about the great amplifying power of small acts and of gratitude. I wrote the untitled music specifically for the poem.“

7. Small Wonder - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). Brendan says, ”Small Wonder was written in 2008 for my then-partner, Sarah, who is both small and, in my estimation, a wonder. It is recorded on Little Boots, an album of music I recorded for my nephew when he was born. His nickname in utero was Caligula, which translates to “little boots”. I come from a nerdy family.” www.brendantaaffe.com

9. Stronger together

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:25:59 +0000

1. A Crown of Righteousness - Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This song by Pete is from his album The Wilderness Road. Pete says, “Another still photo in the panorama of local history that I couldn’t stop looking at The great thing about using history to make art… It’s always timely. I remember my son singing the chorus with me when he was around five and he’s closing on 30 now. The singer here is the well-known northern Vermont gospel diva (her own word) Tammy Fletcher. Piano from the equally celebrated Chuck Eller.” www.petesposse.com

2. Love is little, love is low - Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Susan was inspired to write this poem after listening to the Quaker song from last week’s episode, Love is Little, shared by Bob Mills. Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

3. Winter Greens - Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). Aaron and Julie love to play four hands piano together. One day Aaron brought the idea for the tune to Julie, and they finished the tune together. It is named for the pleasure of finding fresh greens at the farmer’s market in the middle of winter, and the simple joys of friendship. From Aaron’s album Men Don’t Cry, it features Aaron on piano, Hollis Easter on flute, and Mckinley James on cello.

4. The wandering elephant, by Rumi, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).

5. Sophia - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). The words and music of this shape note song were composed by Chandler Yorkhall. It is performed by The Bright Wings Chorus on their album Signs and Wonders. www.brendantaaffe.bandcamp.com

6. Hope is the thing with feathers, by Emily Dickinson, read by Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT).

7. Miss Rowan Davies - Tim Ball (Ithaca, NY). From Tim Ball and Sophie Orzechowski’s album Life of Their Own, this tune features Sophie on fiddle and Tim on guitar. Tim says, “Sophie learned this gorgeous air, composed by Phil Cunningham, from her mother Jane. We remember calling her up during a rehearsal to ask for its name.” www.timandsophie.bandcamp.com

8. Clearing

Thu, 4 Jun 2020 00:00:31 +0000

1. Sälskär - lydia ievins (Montague, MA). A pensive tune by Juha Kujanpää, played here on nyckelharpa and piano. Sälskär is a tiny island in the Swedish archipelago of Åland, with a lighthouse that stands midway across the gulf between Sweden and Finland. Recorded on Koivu, lydia's duo album with Helsinki-based pianist Juha Kujanpää. www.lydiamusic.org

2. Clearing by Martha Postlethwaite, read by Sam Sanders with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). The tune is a recent composition of Aaron’s called David the Nightingale, written for David Kaynor. Aaron says, “I think we’ve all been entranced and inspired by David’s beautiful fiddling over the years, and the generosity with which he shares it.”

3. The Clootie Well - Sarah Gowan (Philadelphia, PA). This tune by Sarah is performed by the band Live Wire (Tom Krumm - fiddle, Ben Kennedy - keyboard, Bill Quern - cuatro, Sarah Gowan - guitar). A Clootie Well is a place, usually at a spring surrounded by trees, where people seeking healing from an illness or woe make an offering of a piece of cloth (cloot). More info is at http://sarahgowan.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-munlochy-clootie-well.html. http://livewirecontra.band/

4. Buying and Selling from The Prophet, by Khalil Gibran, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

5. Sabodisho - Windborne (VT, MA). This traditional Georgian song is performed by Windborne (Lynn Mahoney Rowan, Will Thomas Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Jeremy Carter-Gordon) on their album Midwinter Meeting. In Georgia there is a tradition of singing songs to sick children in order to appease unhappy spirits. The spirits are addressed as “Batonebo,” an honorific, and flowers are strewn about the child’s room. http://www.windbornesingers.com

6. The guest house, by Rumi, read by Julie Vallimont. Piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus.

7. Love is Little - Bob Mills (Montague, MA). Bob writes, “I got this Shaker song from Freyda Epstein when we played together in the late 90s. It came with only one verse, which seemed lonely, so I made it some friends to play with. The tune that follows after leapt from the guitar unbidden so I won't be surprised if someone else wrote it.”

7. Growing and changing

Wed, 27 May 2020 22:01:44 +0000

1. A Bird’s Eye View - Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This song is from Pete’s album Farmland, a collection of story songs and ballads written in collaboration with students across northern Vermont. www.petesposse.com

2. Young by Anne Sexton, read by Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

3. Junebug & Vaeda - Countercurrent (Seattle, WA). This beautiful tune comes from Brian Lindsay (fiddle) and Alex Sturbaum (guitar), who make up the duo Countercurrent. They co-wrote it for the baby twins of of a family member, who are named Juno and Vaeda. www.countercurrentmusic.com

4. Hilly Skies and Windy Fields by Randy Miller (Alstead, NH), read by Nils Fredland (Hartland, VT). Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

5. Ballad for Ethan - Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT). Featuring Anna on clarinet, Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Will Patton on mandolin. From Anna's album Isadore’s Breakfast. www.annapatton.com

6. Nursing by Maureen Tolman Flannery, read by Randi Bevsadatter Berg (Decorah, IA). Randi says, “My day job (night too) is as a family physician. I’m medical director of two nursing homes so you can imagine how stressful this time has been. But singing helps us and our patients get through.”

7. Waltz for Amalia - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie wrote this waltz for her dear friends Julie Gregorio and Andrew Stout, for the birth of their first child, Amalia. From Julie’s album, Dark Sky, Bright Stars, it features Julie on piano, Katie McNally on fiddle, and Kirsten Lamb on upright bass. www.julievallimont.com

6. Sunlight and shadow

Wed, 20 May 2020 23:04:20 +0000

1. Dark Skies Again - Low Lily (Brattleboro, VT). This song is from Low Lily’s album 10,000 Days Like These. The song features Liz Simmons (vocals, guitar), Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, fiddle), and Flynn Cohen (vocals, mandolin). www.lowlily.com

2. Onion River Waltz / Cider - Julia Wayne (Charlotte, VT). Onion River was written by Julia Wayne after spending many years fishing in its waters around Vermont. Julia and her musical partner Katie Trautz arranged this tune, as well as the second song, Cider (traditional), together in their duo Mayfly. https://www.facebook.com/Mayflygirls/

3. A collection of waltzes, trains, and the sea, by Sarah Hirsch (Medford, MA), read by Fynn Crooks (Northampton, MA).

4. Greenwood – Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie wrote this waltz on a partly sunny, partly rainy day in Seattle. It's found on Buddy System’s album, Ride the Wheel, featuring Noah VanNorstrand on fiddle and Julie on piano. www.buddysystemband.com

5. Spring Sunlight by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT), read by Julie Vallimont.

6. Nothing But Wisdom – Pete's Posse (VT and QC). This song is from Pete's Posse’s album, Down to the Core. Pete says, "I wrote it at least 15 years ago, after reading James Kunstler’s post-oil book, The Long Emergency. The topic and the conversation continue to resonate with me.” The song features Pete Sutherland on vocals and harmonica, Oliver Scanlon on vocals and mandolin, and Tristan Henderson on vocals and guitar.

7. West Temple Sunrise - Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA). A fiddler and composer, Rachel wrote this tune during a residency at Zion National Park. The recording features Rachel on fiddle and Ariel Friedman on cello. www.rachelpanitch.com

5. Feel better

Wed, 13 May 2020 20:47:30 +0000

1. Feel Better - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). This song by Lissa (fiddle, vocals) also features Stefan Amidon (drums), Corey DiMario (double bass), Ryan McKasson (viola), Alec Spiegelman (pump organ, woodwinds) and Jed Wilson (piano). It is recorded on Thunder in My Arms, available at www.lissafiddle.com.

2. Bransle / Tom Kruskal's - Elixir (VT, NY, DC). These two tunes are from Elixir’s album Rampant. Tom Kruskal’s has become a modern day classic found on many a dance floor, and was written by Amelia Mason and Emily Troll. The band is Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Anna Patton on clarinet, Owen Morrison on guitar, Jesse Readlynn on trumpet, and Nils Fredland on trombone. www.elixirmusic.com

3. Be Your Note, by Rumi, read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

4. Fly Me Home - Chimney Swift (MA). This tune is from their album Fly Me Home, featuring A.Z. Madonna on accordion, Cecile Leroy on cello, Daniel Raine on banjo, and Yaron Shragai on percussion. www.chimneyswiftband.com

5. It’s All I Have To Bring Today, by Emily Dickinson, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

6. Sunday River Waltz - Betsy Branch (Portland, OR). A classic waltz played on the twin fiddles of Betsy Branch and David Kaynor from their beautiful album, Midnight in Montague. www.fiddlefrau.com

7. Evergreen - Jamie Oshima (Belfast, ME). This beautiful song by Sean Oshima is from their album Oshima Brothers. Featuring Sean on vocals, Jamie on guitar, bass, and percussion, and guest Chloe Isis on harmony vocals. www.oshimabrothers.com

4. Solace in nature

Wed, 6 May 2020 23:34:30 +0000

Intro: A Great Wagon (excerpt), by Rumi, read by Julie Vallimont.

1. Peggy's Maggot / Slangpolska / Veery - Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). These tunes by Aaron Marcus are featured on their album Men Don’t Cry. The recording of a veery is from an actual bird.

2. Untitled by Sarah Hirsch, read by Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT). Sarah wrote this poem just this week.

3. Charlie Mulvihil's / Gigue du Salon - Elixir (VT, NY, DC). These beautiful jigs are from Elixir’s album Anybody’s Guess. The band is Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Anna Patton on clarinet, Owen Morrison on guitar, Jesse Readlynn on trumpet, and Nils Fredland on trombone. www.elixirmusic.com

4. The Lake Isle of Innisfree, by William Butler Yeats, read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT). The fiddle accompaniment is by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).

5. They Took My Wife From Me Last Night - Tim Ball (Ithaca, NY). This tune is performed by the band Arise & Go, featuring Ellie Gould on fiddle, Michael Roddy on flute, and Tim Ball on guitar. This old Scottish tune was published in the Patrick McDonald collection in 1784. www.ariseandgo.org

6. Greenwood Lake - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). Greenwood Lake is from Signs and Wonders, the second album by Bright Wings. It was commissioned to commemorate the lives of Tim and Estelle Murphy and is named after the lake in the Adirondacks where they first met. The singers are: Adam Jacob Simon, Mason Gohl, Wheaton Squier, Gideon Crevoshay, Addie Rose Holland, Rachel Gordon, Katie Trautz, Julia Wayne, Leighanne Saltsman, and Emily Thompson. www.brendantaaffe.com

7. Floodwood Pond / Mary MacArthur's - Aaron Marcus and Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT). Sam reads this beautiful poem by Danny Dover. This poem isn’t published yet, but you can find more of Danny’s poetry in his most recent book, Tasting Precious Metal. www.antrimhousebooks.com/dover.html. The music is Mary MacArthur’s, written by Aaron for Nana Lopez.

3. Planting gardens

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 19:53:29 +0000

1. Summer Garden - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie wrote this tune during a backyard hang with friends, inspired by a wonderful week at Pinewoods Camp. It features Julie (accordion), Yann Falquet (guitar), and Andrew VanNorstrand (fiddle) and is found on Julie’s album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. www.julievallimont.com

2. Summer, by Justin Bloomfield, read by Hunter DiMario (Brattleboro, VT). Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA) contributed the fiddle soundtrack.

3. Wembley Park - Betsy Branch (Portland, OR). From Betsy Branch and Mark Douglass’ album Picassiette. Mark composed this tune in memory of his semester abroad in London. www.fiddlefrau.com

4. love is a place, by e.e. cummings, read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

5. Daybreak (Reprise) - Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). From Owen’s album of original waltzes, Daybreak. Owen’s guitar is joined by Anna Patton on clarinet and Naomi Morse on fiddle.

6. Jasmine and Hollis' / Garden Dream - Aaron Marcus and Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT). Sam reads this beautiful poem by Montpelier poet Susan Reid. Aaron wrote this tune to commemorate the wedding of Jasmine and Hollis Easter, and includes it here as a celebration of new beginnings.

7. Come What May - Elsie Gawler (Lincolnville, ME). This beautiful song by Elsie will be coming out on her solo album Sweet As Honey. You can pre-order at www.elsiegawler.com.

2. Hope for spring

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:12:18 +0000

1. Hope Lingers On - Low Lily (Brattleboro, VT). This beautiful anthem, written by Lissa Schneckenburger, is from Low Lily's album 10,000 Days Like These. The song features Liz Simmons (vocals, clapping), Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, clapping), Flynn Cohen (vocals), Stefan Amidon (vocals), and Charlie Van Kirk (clapping & stomping). www.LowLily.com

2. An evolving course, by Rumi, read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

3. Wild Blueberries - Buddy System (MA and NC). Julie Vallimont named this jig for the joy she felt every summer as a child picking blueberries in the weeds on her family’s property. It’s found on Buddy System’s album Ride the Wheel and features Julie on piano and Noah VanNorstrand on tenor guitar. www.buddysystemband.com

4. Middle of Night - Mary Lea (Brattleboro, VT). This waltz by Kate Barnes is performed by Mary Lea (violin), Jessica Murrow (oboe & English horn), Kate Barnes (piano), and Ralph Gordon (bass). From Between Two Worlds, by Mary Lea & Friends.

5. Train on the Island - Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). A traditional song from Brendan’s album Can’t Hold The Wheel, which blends Zimbabwean mbira (Brendan) with clawhammer banjo (Adam Hurt). www.brendantaaffe.com

6. i carry your heart with me, by e.e. cummings, read by Charis Boke (Springfield, VT).

7. Millbrook - Owen Morrison (Washington DC). From Owen’s album of original waltzes, Daybreak. Owen’s guitar is joined by Anna Patton on clarinet and Naomi Morse on fiddle. Owen says, “Millbrook is named after the town in NY where my grandmother Libby Lindsay lived when I was a child. It is also where my uncle Ted raised his family and where my aunt Nan continues to live. The places we visit repeatedly when we are young have a special magic that we cherish for the rest of our lives.”

8. Marisa’s / North Street in Early June - Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). This collaboration between Aaron Marcus and Sam Sanders features Aaron playing this original tune on piano, while Sam reads Susan Reid’s beautiful poem. From Aaron’s album Men Don’t Cry.

1. Remembering joy

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 17:56:59 +0000

1. Petronella - Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT). A traditional New England dance tune, recorded by Lissa Schneckenburger on her Dance album, available at www.lissafiddle.com. Joining her are Bethany Waickman (guitar), Eric Merrill (viola), and Jeremiah McLane (accordion).

2. There and Back Again - Nova (VT and Scotland). A beautiful tune from the trio Nova (Kathleen Fownes, Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin, Everest Witman) from their most recent album Chasing the Sunset. Available at www.novatriomusic.com.

3. Not a day on any calendar, by Rumi, read by Julie Vallimont.

4. Leo’s Waltz - Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT). Julie composed this waltz and it is found on her album "Dark Sky, Bright Stars”. It features Mia Bertelli on voice, Noah and Andrew VanNorstrand on fiddles, and Daniel Hawkins on cello. www.julievallimont.com

5. Song for the asking, by Paul Simon, read by Lissa Schneckenburger.

6. Wester Caputh - Brendan Taaffe and the Bright Wings Chorus (Brattleboro, VT). This piece, composed by Brendan, is from Here Below, the first album by The Bright Wings Chorus. The other singers are: Adam Jacob Simon, Mason Gohl, Wheaton Squier, Gideon Crevoshay, Addie Rose Holland, Rachel Gordon, Katie Trautz, Julia Wayne, and Emily Thompson. http://www.brendantaaffe.com

7. Dip and Sway - Elsie Gawler (Lincolnville, ME). This beautiful song by Elsie is about to come out on her upcoming solo album, Sweet as Honey. Look out for it in the next few months! You can pre-order at www.elsiegawler.com.