Album Notes

Anno Domini
(music: Daniel & Annika Ryan, traditional)
Anno Domini was named after the Computer Game 1503 AD. In 2001 Hippydan and Annika were invited to Germany to record the sound track for the sequence to the popular Game 1604 AD. After recording multiple traditional tunes in the Game producer’s recording studio, the the newly formed band’s repertoire was exhausted and members Hippydan and Annika found themselves writing new tunes in the medieval style on the spot. Only minutes after the conception of a melody Odon recorded the tune that became the underlying tune of the title song of Odon’s debut album.

Douce Dame Joliet
(music: traditional)
Probably the most catchy and plain “groovy” of all of the preserved songs of the middle ages. In the United States the song is sometimes called by the curious title “The Flying Elephants.”

The Sower
(lyrics & music: Daniel Ryan)
One of the parables of Jesus put to an original tune that morphs the traditional upbeat Irish with a Pirate feel to create a dark celtic mug swaying groove.

Spielmannstanz
(music: traditional)
“The Musician’s Dance”, a traditional German melody, tempts even the hardiest proponent of the “musicians don’t dance” principle into tapping a foot or two on stage.

Sons of Neidhard
(music: traditional)
Another German medieval classic in the celebratory marching style that was most likely a popular song played at weddings in the middle ages where the peasant bride and groom would process through the romantic cobble stone alleys to their wedding reception with a gleam in their eyes and a dancing skip in their steps.

Winter
(lyrics: Tony Krogh & Robert Burns, music: Tony Krogh)
Very depressing lyrics meet an extremely happy and driving melody in a compilation of one of Odon’s mentors, the celtic band The Crossing. The contemplations of the 19th century celtic poet Robert Burns stir the heart and mind while the music carries the listener to a place of hope that defies even the finality of death itself.

Bold Little Preacher
(lyrics & music: Tony Krogh)
Odon’s most popular cover tune written by the band’s friends in Chicago Illinois, The Crossing. A dark Irish melody climaxing in one of Ireland’s most danceable jigs tells the hilarious story of a conservative preacher man’s run in with a green-haired punk-rocker by the name of Rat.

The Mountain Song
(lyrics & music: Daniel Ryan)
Odon’s most requested live song poetically captures the heart of Jesus’ most famous words, the Sermon on the Mount. A humorous course in living a life so radical it is far out of this world is paired with a celtic-style story song with a waltz beat that leaves the audience swaying and smiling. Odon’s only live recording features a singing audience and a grand finale and a very excited audience.

Come Thou Fount
(lyrics & music: traditional)
A classic hymn that was just asking to be played double or triple or quadruple speed and met with Odon’s driving Irish whistles.

Deep Deep Love of Jesus
(lyrics & music: traditional)
A gem amongst dusty old hymns, Deep Deep Love of Jesus carries heartfelt lyrics on a tune that seems to float gently along the waves of the soul in a melody that reminds of the majestic tunes of ages past. Odon underlines the softness of the melody through enchanting harmonies.