Appalachian Journey [Remastered]

by Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma

Overview

The follow-up album to the highly successful Appalachia Waltz collaboration, Appalachian Journey continues the combination of classical music with Appalachian, bluegrass, and American roots music in general. Yo-Yo Ma, alongside violinist Mark O'Connor and bass player Edgar Meyer, runs through a number of original compositions fusing the traditions, as well as a few old standards from the genre repertoire. As stated by the artists, Appalachia Waltz explored the combination of the three artists' sounds put together, while Journey expands upon this theme, exploring the sound of the three artists as a singular group. Joining with the trio are James Taylor on a pair of works (on both guitar and vocals) and Alison Krauss on fiddle and vocals. The vocalists are added specifically on a pair of old Stephen Foster works, the songs themselves thematically bridging the gap between the classical and folk realms. The tone can change easily from cheerful jigging to outright nostalgic, depending largely on who's doing the soloing at any given time. There's an embracing down-home atmosphere set up by the artists, using warm tones and motives throughout the album. At the same time, the trio displays some remarkable virtuosity (as would be expected from this group), burning through some fiery sets of triplets on otherwise slow instruments (the cello and bass, specifically), but keeping up with the violin while avoiding the easily hit distortion sounds that usually come from high speed, low frequency playing. Reels fit easily with waltzes here, and also with traditional songs with virtuosic passages from original compositions. The old and the older are easily made compatible here largely on the strength of the performers involved. It's a worthwhile album for listeners curious about the newer directions being taken in the classical realm. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	07/20/2010
Label:	Sony Classical / Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	0886975614028

Tracks

1. 1B
2. Misty Moonlight Waltz
3. Hard Times Come Again No More
4. Indecision
5. Limerock
6. Benjamin
7. Fisher's Hornpipe
8. Duet for Cello and Bass
9. Emily's Reel
10. Cloverfoot Reel
11. Poem for Carlita
12. Caprice for Three
13. Second Time Around
14. Slumber My Darling
15. Vistas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Edgar Meyer   Primary Artist,Double Bass,Bass
Mark O'Connor   Primary Artist,Viola,Violin
Yo-Yo Ma   Primary Artist,Cello
James Taylor   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Alison Krauss   Primary Artist,Violin,Vocals

Technical Credits

Richard King   Engineer
Stephen Foster   Composer
John A. Schaefer   Liner Notes
James Taylor   Arranger,Composer
Mark O'Connor   Arranger,Composer
Gus Skinas   Engineer
Todd Whitelock   Assistant Engineer
Alison Krauss   Performer
Edgar Meyer   Arranger,Composer,Performer
Gary Paczosa   Engineer
Lisa Stevens   Product Manager
Yo-Yo Ma   Arranger,Composer
Eleanor Becker   Editorial Production,Editorial Coordinator
Laura Mitgang   Executive Producer
Merri Cyr   Cover Photo
Laura Torres   Art Direction
Dawn Frank   Editing,Editing Engineer
Mark Betts   Technical Supervisor
Michael Lutch   Photography
Steven Epstein   Producer
Jeff Francis   Technical Supervisor
Genevieve Haines   Translation,Liner Note Translation
Mia Bongiovanni   A&R
Stephen Sapher   Engineer
Eva Reisinger   Translation,Liner Note Translation
Jeff B. Francis   Technical Supervisor
John Schaefer   Liner Notes
Traditional   Composer
Allen Weinberg   Art Direction