With three men in the band, we thought it would be fun to pay homage to the three wise men in 2017. Happily, we also had a friend who loaned us the use of his camels for the cover photo! This album was recorded in December 2017 and distributed in December 2018!
When downloading, be sure to click on the name column before you download to make sure that number 1 is Here we Go a Wassailing. It appears to sort in reverse order on cell phones unless you manually reverse the order.
1. Here We Come a Wassailing–This upbeat tune is traditionally sung by thirsty carolers going door to door! Brittany-mandolin and vocal, Amanda-harp and vocal, Crystal-viola and vocal, Judy-accordion, John-guitar, Nolan-cajon, Ed-bass.
2. Silver and Gold/Eric’s Waltz–We combined this favorite Christmas song with Eric’s Waltz by Sam Bartlett, one of our favorite musicians from Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. Crystal- vocal, Amanda-accordion, Brittany-mandolin, Judy-guitar, John- banjo, Ed-bass.
3. Christmas Time’s a Comin’–This bluegrass standard was originally recorded by Bill Monroe in 1951, and is still going strong! John-vocal and banjo, Crystal-harmony vocal, Brittany- mandolin, Amanda-fiddle, Judy-guitar, Ed-bass.
4. The Peace Carol–We were hoping to capture the special feeling that John Denver and the Muppets created when they covered this song in 1979. Crystal and Brittany-vocals, Amanda- violin, Nolan-glockenspiel, Judy-banjo, John-autoharp, Ed-bass.
5. Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?–John sings the first verse of Quelle est cette odeur agréable? in the original French. Amanda joins him in harmony. Crystal-mountain dulcimer, Judy-guitar.
6. The Wren in the Furze–On December 26th traditional mummers walked through the town asking for donations in behalf of a captured wren. This cheerful song has a sad ending. Amanda-vocal, Brittany-bodhran, Crystal-pennywhistle, Judy- accordion.
7. O Holy Night–This instrumental version of one of our most frequently recorded Christmas songs features Amanda on piano, Crystal on viola, and Brittany on cello.
8. Go Tell it on the Mountain–We took a page out of Simon and Garfunkel’s book for this lively arrangement! John-vocal, Brittany-vocal and shaker, Judy-guitar, Ed-bass.
9. We Three Kings/What Child is This?–This beautiful combination of an English and an American Christmas song is an all mountain dulcimer solo by Crystal.
10. Desert Lullaby–The words of this haunting lullaby were adapted for the Christ child by Crystal. Amanda, Brittany and Crystal-vocals.
11. March of the Three Kings–This 13th century Epihany carol was repurpossed by Georges Bizet in 1872 in his L’Arlesienne. It was the inspiration for the theme of our CD this year. Nolan, Ed and John sing the parts of the three kings. The Farandole instrumental part is played by Amanda-violin, Crystal-pennywhistle, Brittany-cello, Judy-guitar.
12. Mariachi Jingle Bells–We added a guitarron to our stable of instruments this year and used it to try to channel our inner mariachi! Vocals by Amanda and Crystal, Brittany-guitarron, Nolan-trumpet, John-charango, Ed-cajon and bells, Amanda-violin, Crystal-viola, Judy-guitar.