Album Notes

Carol Wood is a harpist, composer, and vocalist who has always been inspired by the connection between the harp and poetry. Her latest CD, The Eve of St. Agnes, includes her settings of poetry by great poets of the past and present, such as Robert Herrick, William Blake, and W. B. Yeats, as well as her settings of her own translations of six of the mysterious Anglo-Saxon riddles. The title piece is an instrumental suite inspired by Keats’ famous poem. (“Not every great poem can be--or OUGHT to be--set to music," she says. “But that's a whole other topic.")

On this latest recording, Carol is eager to show off the versatility of the Celtic harp. The collection includes not only art songs but also pieces ranging from a “neo-medieval suite” (“A Medieval Feast”) to a tango to blues and jazz. ("The Magician's Birthday" was named one of five finalists in the Jazz and Blues category of the 2005 South Atlantic Songwriter's Composition.)

Carol's songs and her compositions for harp and other instruments have been published in several volumes, by publishers including Mel Bay.

Track Descriptions:

1 In May--harp solo

Six Anglo-Saxon Riddles--harp and voice

The Anglo-Saxons are better known for their battle poetry than for these delightful riddles, which show us a very different side of their culture.

2 Harp
3 Fingers and Pen
4 Fish in a River
5 Mead
6 Swan
7 Reed Flute
Rumanian wooden double flute: Rick Condit

A Medieval Feast--suite for Celtic harp


8 The Procession of Courses
9 The Lovers’ Glances
10 The Dance
Percussion: Wes Hanna
11 The Sotelty and the Wafer

The Eve of St. Agnes--suite for Celtic harp

12 St. Agnes’ Eve
13 The Dancers
Percussion: Wes Hanna
14 Madeline Dreaming
15 Into the Storm

Poets, Flowers, and Time

16 To Daffodils--lyrics by Robert Herrick
17 Ah, Sunflower--lyrics by William Blake
18 The Dandelion--lyrics by Vachel Lindsay
Vocalist: Lindy Ponce de León

19 The Forsaken Merman--lyrics by Matthew Arnold
Vocalist: Laurie Robertson

20 Wise Woman Tango--harp solo

21 Cyanoblue Waltz--harp solo

22 Swimming in Elk River--lyrics by Tom Kirby-Smith

23 The Song of Wandering Aengus--lyrics by W. B. Yeats
Irish whistle: Rick Condit

24 The Magician’s Birthday
Percussion: Ken Turner
Electric bass: Ken Turner