Album Notes

The Queen of Celtic Pop, singer/songwriter Susan Palmer Marshall, and her Emmy Award-winning husband/producer, Alexander "Sandy" Marshall, share the inspiration for her 4th album, "Standing Stones".

Making this CD has been a true labor of love for us - from collaborating on new, original Celtic songs - to interweaving a few of our sentimental favorites - and sharing the studio with such sensational musicians as John McEuen (of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame), Jon Gordon (former lead guitarist for Suzanne Vega), Mike Mandel, Lawrence Cole, River Tobias and Tom English.

The idea for the title song germinated from an emotional tribute at the stone circle and memorial cairn* honoring Robert "Hägar" Swanson, and "his band of fallen Fianna Warriors" - a Celtic/Viking Society known as The Kingdom of Raknar. "Those Factory Girls", written by Roy Arbuckle, is a song our friend Tommy Makem sang for us about 10 years ago. "Ballad of the Keiths & the Gunns" was written by Sandy, with music by the brilliant Ted Dicks (who wrote Noel Coward's favorite song). This tale chronicles the fierce history of two of Scotland's clans - at war for 500 years.  "Dumbarton's Drums" is a traditional Scottish favorite. "Rogue From Tir na nÓg" is an amusing, up tempo ditty about a handsome young cad from Tir na nÓg - the Irish land of eternal youth. "Today", penned by Randy Sparks, pays homage to Susan's former career as a New Christy Minstrel. "Circle of Love" is about the karma and continuity of mother/daughter love and getting back what you put out into the universe, while "Hogmanay" acknowledges the joy and festivity of the Celtic New Year. "In My Life" pays homage to the late, great John Lennon. "All That's Missing is You" is a touching Christmas song written by Sandy and our great friend, John McEuen (a five-time Grammy nominee), for the film, "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree".  Alas, the movie deal fell through (for the moment) and the song was never released - until now. "The Last Rose of Summer", another traditional Celtic song, completes the theme.

Be at one with each other
Be at one with the earth
Home • Family • Tribe
The Spirit Lives On!

Sandy & Susan Marshall, 2001

*The memorial cairn and stone circle are located on the site of the Glasgow Highland Games at Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas, Kentucky.