Episode Summary
This week, we have music from Crowfoot, Jeff Warner, Andrew VanNorstrand, and Andy Davis, Becky Tracy, and Keith Murphy. Julie reads poems by Ross Gay and Susan Reid, and Ben Williams reads a poem by Kitty O’Meara. Wherever we are this Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks for the richness of this community, the beautiful music, the dancing and laughter that are normally a part of our traditions, and the wonderful people in it. Hard times can make us feel gratitude even more strongly for what we still have, and inspire us to savor the joys of life among the hardship, and the small beauties and kindnesses that are always around us even in the darkest days. Let’s remember to reach out to others and support each other to keep our community connected. Together, we can get through this. Take care, everyone.
Episode Notes
1. Soaring High – Crowfoot (VT and QC). Crowfoot is Jaige Trudel, Adam Broome, and Nicholas Williams. This track is from their 2006 album As the Crow Flies. www.crowfootmusic.com
2. Thank you, by Ross Gay. Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).
3. Beautiful Life – Jeff Warner (Portsmouth, NH). Jeff learned this song, a country and bluegrass standard, from Jeff Goering, an Ohio fiddler. It can be found on his most recent album, Roam the Country Through. www.jeffwarner.com
4. And the people stayed home, by Kitty O’Meara. Read by Ben Williams (Northampton, MA). Ben writes, “Kitty O’Meara is a retired teacher, hospice chaplain, and lifelong writer in Wisconsin. Previously unpublished, she has been called the poet laureate of the pandemic for this poem that perfectly encapsulates the moment we find ourselves in.”
5. The Coming Spring – Andrew VanNorstrand (Manlius, NY). Kailyn Wright and Andrew sing this song on Andrew’s solo album, That We Could Find a Way to Be. https://andrewvannorstrandmusic.bandcamp.com
6. Rain, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).
7. Over the Ice – Becky Tracy, Keith Murphy, and Andy Davis (Brattleboro, VT). This Keith Murphy tune is from the New England Dancing Masters series album Any Jig or Reel. https://dancingmasters.com
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