Album Notes

Gabriel's Gate combined the best elements of the strong instrumental tradition of Irish and Scottish traditional music, bluegrass, classical, Eastern European, and music from the Celtic dispora along with original composition. Known for powerful, driving arrangements of tunes and subtle treatment of songs Gabriel's Gate delighted audiences all over the Midwest and Southwest in the 90s and early 2000s.

Front and center on songs is Frank Blair with powerful vocals that bring out the heart of the songs. Their tune arrangements tended to be non-traditional, but in subtle ways anchored by Keith Van Winkle's extraordinary improvisation and folk-jazz skills on fiddle, flute, and whistles and Brett Gibson's internationally recognized work in classical accordion. Sean Foree provided highly nuanced backing on guitar reminiscent of John Doyle or Tony McManus.

Gabriel's Gate were:
Frank Blair: Lead vocals, bouzouki, guitar
Keith Van Winkle: Fiddle, flute, whistles, mandolin, vocals
Brett Gibson: Accordion
Sean Foree: Guitar, vocals