Winter Solstice

by John McCutcheon

Overview

Lovers of subdued, traditional acoustic Celtic holiday music will get the most out of this re-released sweetly conceived hammer dulcimer project, which, listeners are informed, is for Christmas, Chanukah, and the New Year's season, so as not to leave anyone out. The multi-instrumentalist's apparent intention is a small and simple production, with just enough whimsy to keep it interesting. He partakes in a lively, jig-flavored dulcimer/fiddle duet on the opening track (which combines two traditional hymns), then keeps the duet flavor going but slows down for a mournful "Erev Shel Shoshanim." That's the basic mood swing here, from simply joyful to more reflective, mixing originals with pieces like Handel's For Unto Us a Child Is Born. Folkies might prefer the vocal breaks by McCutcheon himself and the mini choir on "Star in the East." ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	02/14/1992
Label:	Rounder
UPC:	0011661019225

Tracks

1. Medley
2. Erev Shel Shoshanim
3. Willie's Waltz
4. Christmas in the Trenches
5. Star in the East
6. Medley
7. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head
8. For Unto Us a Child Is Born
9. Huron Carol
10. Detroit, December
11. Medley

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John McCutcheon   Primary Artist,Banjo,Fiddle,Guitar,Vocals,Dulcimer,Hammer Dulcimer
Trapezoid   Hammer Dulcimer
Paul Reisler   Piano,Guitar,Dulcimer,Bowed Psaltery,Hammer Dulcimer
Sam Rizzetta   Dulcimer,Hammer Dulcimer
Freyda Epstein   Viol,Viola,Fiddle,Vocals
Washington Bach Consort   Strings,String Ensemble
Jesse Winch   Bodhran
Dana Steinhauser   Bass,Vocals,Bass (Vocal)
Bob Welland   Harp
Tom Jones   Bells,Chimes,Crotale,Percussion
Howard Levy   Piano,Ocarina,Recorder,Harmonica,Sax (Alto),Synthesizer,Sax (Soprano),Whistle (Human),Whistle (Instrument)
Lorraine Duisit   Harp,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Mandocello,Bowed Psaltery
Ralph Gordon   Bass,Cello

Technical Credits

Josef Hader   Composer
Paul Reisler   Producer
Bill McElroy   Engineer
George Frederick Handel   Composer
Miyo Ohshima   Adaptation,Design Adaptation
Moshe Dor   Composer
Yosef Hadar   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Si Kahn   Composer
David H. Yakobian   Composer
John McCutcheon   Arranger,Composer
Rob Amberg   Photography