Album Notes

Step inside a magic spell cast by a wonderful singer with an irresistible set of songs. The 16 tracks on this CD carry us along a winding path from solo a cappella balladry, playful vocal improvisation, gorgeous harmonies, rich guitar accompaniments and ‘front-porch sing alongs’. Legacy is a concert set without the applause or banter; an intimate and impressive performance by a truly gifted singer of power, tenderness and humor. Susanne Barkan was ‘bit by the ballad bug’ in the late 1970’s when she first heard Martin Carthy, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, Jean Redpath, Frankie Armstrong, Nic Jones, Louis Killen and many more performers bring Muckle Sangs, sea shanteys and contemporary folks songs to coffeehouses and concert halls in the US. Her own musical journeying included travels in England and Scotland, summer studies with Jean Redpath and eventually her own concert career. In 1988 she participated in a workshop with vocalist and master improviser Bobby McFerrin, inspiring more layers and adventures to Susanne’s career. All these experiences are reflected in this CD; the bold and beautiful Annachie Gordon and Ca’ the Yowes, the playful vocal accompaniments on The Weaver and the Factory Maid and My Johnny Was a Shoemaker, the improvised pieces created live in the studio, even the misery oozing out of Corinna, Corinna is beautiful and captivating. Joining Susanne in the studio are Jill Connolly, Mark Johnson, Sarah Rankin, Peter Wood and Paul Zimmermann. A chorus of friends sang along in the living room for a live remote recording of two songs, rounding out the concert feeling of this delightful CD, but it is the solo voice that you will remember. Let it haunt you and accompany you. This CD will make you sing, and sigh. Recorded by Dave Chalfant, Sack-a-Music, Conway, MA. copyright 2007, Susanne A Barkan.