Those who know me and my eclectic and far-ranging musical tastes know that there’s usually one bridge I rarely cross: the fusion of idioms and styles. All of that conservatism is shattered with this new project from 4 of my absolute favorite musicians/singers: Hanz Araki, Colleen Raney, Matt Shipman and Erica Brown. I must say… Continue reading Josephine County- Celtic/American fusion
Tag: Boston
Liz and Dan Faiella
These are two of the finest young New England Celtic musicians I know, and it’s been an absolute delight to work with them on what was essentially a ‘live in the studio’ project. Liz’s fiddle tone posed absolutely no challenges to the microphone, Dan’s guitar is so good it almost makes this aging guitar player… Continue reading Liz and Dan Faiella
Latest Nashville sessions
March 16-19 found me in Nashville, producing and playing acoustic guitar on three days of recording. Song demos with various songwriters using my trusty team of Nashville A-list musicians, including Chris Leuzinger (Garth Brooks and just about everyone else), Gary Prim (Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, John Fogerty, etc.), Wayne Killius (Blake Shelton, Kenny Rogers,… Continue reading Latest Nashville sessions
Catching up, May 2017
Here’s a problem with a blog-type website: I get so busy making music with all the wonderful people who come through my studio doors that I have no time to chronicle it all. I promise I’ll catch up soon with more formal postings with pics and clips, but here’s a brief look at what’s been… Continue reading Catching up, May 2017
John Carew: Boston’s Celtic Folk troubador
John is one of the first musicians I met when I started exploring the idea of moving back to New England from Nashville. I think it was in 2005, just after spending a wonderful week in upstate NY accompanying world-renowned fiddler Craig Duncan, a long-time colleague who was being inducted into the Northeast Fiddler’s Hall of… Continue reading John Carew: Boston’s Celtic Folk troubador
Fodhla- Fine Irish music trio
I’ve known Nicole Rabata for 5 years and had many a lovely Irish tune session in her company. She’s a fine flute payer and true pro, and I‘m very grateful that she chose to bring in her companions in this lovely 6-tune project, Ellery Klein on fiddle and Bethany Waickman on DADGAD guitar to record here… Continue reading Fodhla- Fine Irish music trio
Fall update
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
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