White Birds is a delight for folksong enthusiasts and lovers of beautiful music who are in search of something truly unique! This debut release by harpist/singer Margot Krimmel and singer Beth Leachman features songs rooted in the Celtic tradition, American folksongs, and original compositions. Most of the selections are harp and voice, with Margot’s inventive harp accompaniments enhancing the mood and meaning of the lyrics. There are also 2 a cappella songs (without harp), 1 harp duet, and 1 “bluesy” original harp solo. This CD is a collection of traditional and original melodies, which showcases these musicians’ fresh approach, even when performing music that may be centuries old.
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Includes:
The White Birds (song) - Words by William Butler Yeats, music by B. Leachman and M. Krimmel
The Rigs O’ Barley (song) and Barney Brallaghan’s - Words traditional, music by B. Leachman and M. Krimmel
The Bells of Rhymney - Words by Idris Davies, music by Pete Seeger
A Few Drops of Rain (song) - Words by B. Leachman, music by B. Leachman and M. Krimmel
The Song of Wandering Aengus (song) - Words by W.B. Yeats, music adapted by B. Leachman and M. Krimmel
O’Carolan’s Dream (harp instrumental) - Music by Turlough O’Carolan, additional music by M. Krimmel
Night Visiting Song (unaccompanied song) - Words and music traditional
An Chrubach (song) - Words and music traditional
The False Lover (song) - Words traditional, music by B. Leachman
The Ides of March (harp instrumental) - by M. Krimmel
Raggle Taggle Gypsy (song) and The Burning of the Piper’s Hut (instrumental) - Words and music traditional
Rocking the Cradle (song) - Words and music traditional
Wondrous Love (song) - Words and music adapted from the traditional
The Parting Glass (unaccompanied song) - Words traditional, additional words and music by B. Leachman
Denver native Marot Krimmel took up the harp in 1985, and has studied folk, jazz and pedal harp. She has won first place in the International Pop and Jazz Harpfest and the Estes Park Scottish Highland Games. Margot composes, arranges and teaches out of her studio in Boulder, Colorado. She has been performing with fellow harper and vocalist Beth Leachman since 1998.
Beth Leachman has a master's degree in music education. She developed an interest in folk music at an early age, and spent a year in Ireland learning the language and the traditional music. Since then she has studied both harp and bodhran. She performs throughout the U.S., often with Siucra, a Boston -based traditional Irish band. She has appeared on numerous recordings. Beth has been collaborating with fellow Colorado harpist Margot Krimmel since 1998.