Episode Summary
Instead of our regular episode we have a special bonus. Normally all summer it’s week after week of music camps and festivals on the weekends. Because they’re all on hold due to the pandemic, this episode is dedicated to all the camps and festivals that didn’t happen this year. This episode is different from our usual format. It’s made up of live recordings made from past years. The recording quality varies, but the energy is palpable and I think it’s a nice reminiscence. Hope you enjoy. Just a heads up, it’s not all designed to be relaxing, instead it’s quite joyful and boisterous at times! Take care, everyone.
Episode Notes
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).
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