Laurelyn Dossett
listen now children a story I’ll tell …

Christmas ornaments, a photo by Craft & Creativity on Flickr.

Album reviews are in for “The Gathering” recording of the string band featuring myself, Rhiannon, Joe, Mike, and Jason.

And they’ve all got me seeing stars.

“It’s a fresh approach to wintry music, with mountain-music instrumentation and crystalline harmonies.”
4 1/2 stars
Andrew Dansby and Joey Guerra, San Antonio Express News

“Collections of Appalachian holiday tunes have come along before, but one of the finest is now ‘The Gathering,’ ”
4 1/2 stars
Thomas Conner, Chicago Sun-Times

The Gathering string band

It wasn’t too long ago that Rhiannon and first I worked together at Triad Stage. She was one of the holiday singers in “Beautiful Star,” one of the first Appalachian music-with-play projects I co-wrote with Preston Lane. For me, her take on “O, Holy Night” changed that song forever.

We’ll share the stage together again when “The Gathering” string band performs there Tuesday, December 6 at 8 pm. This special show is a string-band only performance by “The Gathering” band featuring Rhiannon, Mike Compton, Joe Newberry, Jason Sypher and myself.

We’ll play some songs from “The Gathering” record, which includes a special version of Rhiannon singing “O, Holy Night,” and I think we can reprise a version at Triad Stage … for old times sake.

Tickets are available now. And thank you sweetly, in advance. Just remember to unwrap that hard candy before you head into the theater.

A Winter Concert at Triad Stage
8 pm December 6 at Triad Stage, Greensboro NC
Buy Tickets

The Gathering record
Available now on CD Baby
Buy now

World premier of “The Gathering: A Winter’s Tale in Six Songs”
November 25 and 26
Buy Tickets

I almost dropped my Gibson over this one.

Grayson Currin recently wrote a review of Levon’s new release, “Ramble at the Ryman,” and had this to say about the “Anna Lee” cut off the live album.

Not every bit of Ramble at the Ryman is noteworthy … But the highlights are essential testaments to Helm’s gravelly tenderness as a vocalist, whether on his natural, narrative delivery of “A Train Robbery” or his mix of mourning and hope on this spare, show-stopping version of “Anna Lee.”

Grayson, thank you. If I’ve never swooned before, I am right now. Meantime, I hope you all celebrate Levon’s birthday and buy this recording. He is one of those rare musicians who inspires everyone to be more authentic — as a person and a musician. He just gets better with time. Happy Birthday Levon.

Meantime, I need to stop swooning and pick up this guitar and get back to writing. Does anyone know where I left my feet on the ground?

Ramble at the Ryman is available now on Amazon.com

Vinyl

Live audio CD

.mp3 download