Episode Summary
As the days get shorter, and colder, and the fall colors begin to fade, we might see each other less now that it’s harder to be outside. But we can find a way, and sometimes remembering how things used to be, while also imagining what they could be, gIves me just enough spark to motivate myself to reach out. The fact that we miss our friendships, our communities, and our traditions so much shows how important they are to us. And they will still be there to rekindle whenever the growing season begins again. This week we have music from lydia ievins, Maivish, Lissa Schneckenburger, and Jacob Chen. Sam Sanders reads a poem by Susan Reid with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus. Ben Williams reads a poem by Sara Teasdale, and Julie reads a poem by Albert Phelps.
Episode Notes
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.”
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