I'm very excited to tell you that you can listen to my new album, “Summer's Morning,” wherever you like to get your music. You can stream it on your favourite service, find it on my Bandcamp, or even order a CD if your car is 20 years old or you need a new coaster. They make great holiday presents. I myself still maintain a sizeable collection of CDs, each with a fond memory attached and many from dear friends of mine.
I actually recently scored an incredible deal on CDs at a thrift store in Floyd County, VA - 14 CDs for $1! Among the treasures I found were “The Great Waltz,” an all-waltz album recorded on violins made by Bob Childs and produced by one of my personal favourite fiddlers Bruce Molsky; David Francey's beautiful 2013 album “So Say We All”; “a selection of ever popular favourites" from Mr. Martin Simpson and Mr. Dom Flemons; Roscoe Holcomb's “High Lonesome Sound”; and the Shrek 2 soundtrack (a recent topic of conversation at the Elm Cafe in Kingston, where I worked for several years). That's one of the things I love about CDs, and books, and every piece of art that you can really hold - they get passed around and end up in unexpected places, accumulating new life as they go. Mine are living in my van for a while as I travel to Mexico for the winter.
I'm especially happy with the art for the “Summer's Morning” CD. I love to knit, and I decided to knit the cover of my new album. I designed the pattern and used Jamieson and Smith 2-ply jumper weight yarn to knit a 10x10 square, which my technologically adept partner scanned (with only a moment of panic that the square was too large for the scanner) in two parts and magicked back together using computer powers. My talented friend Grace Dixon added the text and designed the CD layout beautifully. I'd love if one day it makes its way into someone's thrift store finds. I hope you enjoy the album, however you might listen to it, and stay tuned for more in the new year.
