Lots happening this past summer into fall: new CDs by John Carew, Skip Gorman, Annie Eastman Young, Gus LaCasse, song demos by Abbi White, Greg Lull, Brandon Harris, Brin Banta, Portland Irish flutist Nicole Rabata‘s trio, a recent production trip to Nashville, and more- I’ll try to post some music and photos soon. Nashville’s Studio 19,… Continue reading Fall update
Tag: Songwriter
Riptide: America’s Contra Dance Band!
Something about the unselfconsciousness of making music purely for dancing has brought out the best in this group of stellar Portland ME based traditional musicians: Alden Robinson, Owen Marshall and Glen Loper, joined by the Contradance world’s leading percussionist Mark ‘Pokey’ Hellenberg. Contra dance aficionados will instantly recognize that this collection represents the apex of the… Continue reading Riptide: America’s Contra Dance Band!
Eric McDonald & Ryan McKasson- Scottish fiddle and guitar
Eric‘s brought several projects to the studio in the last few months. This latest, with stellar West Coast Scottish/Cape Breton-style fiddler Ryan McKasson is just sweet. Listen!
Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio: High-Energy Celtic
It’s here! Jordan’s new trio CD release party packed the legendary Stone Church in Newmarket NH. I got there for the last few songs after a grueling run of St. Pat’s gigs and was knocked out by their larger-than-life sound. I immediately started to wonder-did the CD manage to capture that energy in the recording… Continue reading Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio: High-Energy Celtic
Winter 2015 update
Lots going on this winter at MPM Studio, so much that I’m having trouble keeping the website up to date. Snow is falling- a moment to catch up. Here are just a few recent projects: A new ‘Trad’ Scottish CD project with Eric Macdonald and Will Woodson (Scottish small pipes, flute, guitar, mandolin and vocals).… Continue reading Winter 2015 update
“…that’s an Irish Lullaby”
The challenge: to produce an instrumental CD without calling attention to the instruments, without distracting the listener from the beauty of the melody, to create an ambience of soothing relaxation for adults and children alike. I think that Bill Verdier, John Mock and I rose to the occasion in this collection of Irish melodies played… Continue reading “…that’s an Irish Lullaby”
‘Celtic Tribute’ Series on CMH
“You look like you could play Irish music” said the agent, who had known me for many years, “there’s a new Irish Pub opening at the Opryland Hotel, and we’d like you to put together an acoustic trio to play there.” Thus, in 2003, was born ‘The Boys of County Nashville‘. Jeff Taylor and… Continue reading ‘Celtic Tribute’ Series on CMH
Kieran O’Hare and John Skelton: New Irish flute CD: ‘Two-Tone’
Mill Pond Music Studio was thrilled to host the recording of this new Irish flute duet project by two of the finest practitioners of that art on either side of ‘the pond’. This inspired collection of tunes was recorded essentially live, the two players facing each other in the ‘Live Room’, no baffles, a couple… Continue reading Kieran O’Hare and John Skelton: New Irish flute CD: ‘Two-Tone’
Nashville Travelogue- July ’14
Just back from two production trips to Nashville, lots of great music and a chance to visit some of my many cherished colleagues! Elizabeth Carrigan‘s story is dramatic and compelling (read more). We’ve started work on finishing a project she began four years ago. I took a few of her vocal tracks to Nashville, where… Continue reading Nashville Travelogue- July ’14
The Press Gang!
I’ve known these guys since the days when I was still living in Nashville. On my frequent visits to NH, I always scurried up to Lebanon NH to join them in one of the best Irish sessions in New England. Based in Portland ME, they’ve evolved into THE hottest young Irish Trad band in New… Continue reading The Press Gang!