Album Notes

Grumbling Ginger perform original acoustic folk-rock with a Celtic flavor. On "Grumbling For The Holidays", Grumbling Ginger present 20 holiday favorites and originals performed in a unique style, with an antique Celestaphone playing the melodies and various instruments including mandolin, bass, drums and chimes providing the backing. "Grumbling For The Holidays" captures the sense of fun and good cheer of the holiday season.

The Celestaphone featured on this album dates from 1927. The patent for this instrument is dated 1912, and the Phonoharp Company sold celestaphones and other instruments througout the 1920s and 30s via Sears Catalog. The characteristic "trilling" sound of the celestaphone comes from small lead hammers at the end of tempered steel keys vibrating against double courses of strings. The sound of the celestaphone is reminiscent of both the hammered dulcimer and the harpsichord.

Both members of Grumbling Ginger have a background of playing on the folk club circuit in the UK, and a Grumbling Ginger live show recreates the atmosphere of a British folk club with songs, storytelling and humor.

The members of Grumbling Ginger are:

Jana Heller: Vocals, songwriter, guitar, dulcimer, piano, celestaphone
Andrew Gilhooley: Percussion, mandolin