Album Notes

The title track to Christ Made a Trance is an English gypsy Good Friday carol I learned from Martin Carthy. On it I am more than ably assisted by Lissa Schneckenburger (widely acclaimed fiddler and singer), fiddle, Jessie Gagne-Hall, cello, and Cory DiMario (of Crooked Still fame), bass. This and the other songs, hymns and the sole instrumental number (Father James’ Song, with Jessie again and Jan Gill, piano) are pieces I have either composed or gathered from contemporary (including Mark Simos and Lisa Aschman's Your Right Name) and ancient sources, all speaking to the mysterious, sustaining presence of God in our lives. The musical influences are mainly New England folk, including the newest addition to our local mix, the music of Somalia. I sing and play fiddle, viola, cello, bass and guitar.