Episode summary
All over the country this week, people have been fighting for justice, with the backdrop of this pandemic still going on. We’re stronger when we work together. As a community we can support each other, strengthen each other, learn from each other, and inspire each other. So this episode celebrates the strength of community and the hope for positive change. We have music from Pete Sutherland, Aaron Marcus, Bright Wings Chorus, and Tim Ball and Sophie Orzechowski. Julie reads a new poem by Susan Reid and a poem by Rumi, and Anna Patton reads a poem by Emily Dickinson. Anyone is invited to share things with the podcast. You can reach out at www.starsintherafters.com.
Episode notes
1. A Crown of Righteousness – Pete Sutherland (Burlington, VT). This song by Pete is from his album The Wilderness Road. Pete says, “Another still photo in the panorama of local history that I couldn’t stop looking at The great thing about using history to make art… It’s always timely. I remember my son singing the chorus with me when he was around five and he’s closing on 30 now. The singer here is the well-known northern Vermont gospel diva (her own word) Tammy Fletcher. Piano from the equally celebrated Chuck Eller.” www.petesposse.com
2. Love is little, love is low – Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Susan was inspired to write this poem after listening to the Quaker song from last week’s episode, Love is Little, shared by Bob Mills. Fiddle accompaniment by Rachel Panitch (Boston, MA).
3. Winter Greens – Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). Aaron and Julie love to play four hands piano together. One day Aaron brought the idea for the tune to Julie, and they finished the tune together. It is named for the pleasure of finding fresh greens at the farmer’s market in the middle of winter, and the simple joys of friendship. From Aaron’s album Men Don’t Cry, it features Aaron on piano, Hollis Easter on flute, and Mckinley James on cello.
4. The wandering elephant, by Rumi, read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).
5. Sophia – Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). The words and music of this shape note song were composed by Chandler Yorkhall. It is performed by The Bright Wings Chorus on their album Signs and Wonders. www.brendantaaffe.bandcamp.com
6. Hope is the thing with feathers, by Emily Dickinson, read by Anna Patton (Brattleboro, VT).
7. Miss Rowan Davies – Tim Ball (Ithaca, NY). From Tim Ball and Sophie Orzechowski’s album Life of Their Own, this tune features Sophie on fiddle and Tim on guitar. Tim says, “Sophie learned this gorgeous air, composed by Phil Cunningham, from her mother Jane. We remember calling her up during a rehearsal to ask for its name.” www.timandsophie.bandcamp.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.