A couple of years ago I was performing with clawhammer banjoist Ken Perlman at the fabulous New World Festival in Randolph VT, and had the great fortune to wind up in a jam session with the members of Cantrip. They are a superb Scottish/American trio who play traditional Celtic instrumental music with a distinctly contemporary… Continue reading Cantrip
Category: Projects
Some updates at MPMS
-Local duo Captain Bob Griffin and Linda Wade, guitar, vocals and concertina, finishing up a charming collection of ‘Old Chestnuts’. Great songs from the 20s and 30s, augmented with some New England folk music favorites feature their warm vocal blend and Bob’s chiming 12-string guitar interwoven with Linda’s delicate and inventive concertina. -Emery Hutchins has… Continue reading Some updates at MPMS
Brendan Tonra and his legendary fiddle at MPM Studio!
[youtube hd]http://youtu.be/84wW9KZDeeI[/youtube] Renowned Boston-based Sligo fiddler plays one of his recent compositions accompanied by the stellar Helen Kisiel on piano. Some of Brendan’s compositions have become standard repertoire in traditional Irish music, notably Tonra’s Jig (aka Tone Rows). An honor to have these two cornerstones of Boston’s Irish music scene recording at Mill Pond Music! Read… Continue reading Brendan Tonra and his legendary fiddle at MPM Studio!
The Fireflies: from London to Portsmouth (again!)
Harry and Luca, from London, England, formerly known as The Pilgrims-now the Fireflies, were back at MPM Studio for their third time a few weeks ago. As usual it was an intensely creative week of tracking, vocals, guitar overdubs (ranging from beautiful acoustic to funky electric) and some last-minute songwriting. What to call their style?… Continue reading The Fireflies: from London to Portsmouth (again!)
Bob & Jen Strom ’round the bend
I met Bob & Jen Strom at The Landing in Manchester-by-the-Sea MA where they regularly host a song and tune session on alternate Sundays, along with singer Michael O’Leary. It’s one of the most pleasant sessions in which I’ve participated: attentive, engaged audience, good acoustics, hospitable staff and a welcoming crew of fine musicians and… Continue reading Bob & Jen Strom ’round the bend
Tony Giblin’s CD Launch – A Promise Kept
Last night at Rory O’Connor’s Pub in Georgetown, a good number of musical friends gathered to help Tony Giblin launch A Promise Kept. Tony kindly let me play bouzouki and guitar on this one:
Summer re-cap: Natalie McMaster, Joan Osborne, Joe Deleault and more…
Finally getting around to a chronicle of some of this summer’s activities, one of which was my adventure into the musical world of Manchester NH’s composer/songwriter/pianist extraordinaire Joe Deleault. NH Screenwriter/director Ernest Thompson (‘On Golden Pond’, etc.) is just finishing a new film (headed for Sundance Film Festival) called Heavenly Angle, for which Joe has… Continue reading Summer re-cap: Natalie McMaster, Joan Osborne, Joe Deleault and more…
Pilgrims from London
The new year got off to a great musical start when a group of lads from London called ‘Pilgrims’ made their first trip to Portsmouth to record the first half of their debut CD. The three excellent guitarist/vocalists/songwriters Harry, James and Luca were joined by ‘Mersey Beat’ specialist Dave from Liverpool on drums and yours… Continue reading Pilgrims from London
Makem and Spain Brothers New Christmas Song/Video
A lively night at MPM Studio! Mick and Liam Spain festooned the Live Room with Christmas lights. Rory Makem brought a little portable Christmas tree, and with his banjo intro, accompanied by seasonally appropriate sleigh bells, the lads launched into a great new Christmas sing-along ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Morn’. Conor Makem… Continue reading Makem and Spain Brothers New Christmas Song/Video
New Randy Miller Fiddle CD
When I was leaving Nashville for my move to New England, my good friend and colleague Old Time/Irish fiddler David Coe told me to make sure to meet Randy Miller, renowned for his expert contradance and Irish fiddling, compositions and tune books. To my delight, within a week or two of my move, I found… Continue reading New Randy Miller Fiddle CD