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
The Haw River Ballroom Opens May 27
Haw River Ballroom Hard Hat Gala, Saxapahaw, NC
ONE NIGHT ONLY! donations at the door for the Haw River Assembly
8 pm to 10 pm, Saturday, May 7
A special sneak peak at The Haw River Ballroom with a behind-the-scenes Hard Hat Gala featuring the Haw River Supergroup, a consortium of local musicians singing songs about the river (Think ‘Down By The Riverside” Beta).
About the new Haw River Ballroom:
Nestled in the former Dye House of Saxapahaw, the Haw River Ballroom will feature live music & performances, film series, innovative lectures, dances, weddings and events with multi-level mezzanines, decks and a coffeeshop overlooking the river.
Lucky 32 Tuesday Night Special
6:30 to 9:30 pm
May 3 Molly McGinn and Scott Manring
May 10 Laurelyn Dossett and Scott Manring
May 17 Martha Bassett and friends
May 24 Laurelyn and Scott
May 31 Laurelyn and Scott
In June, Rhiannon Giddens will be touring with the North Carolina Symphony as part of their “Around the World in 80 Minutes” concert. And in July, Molly McGinn and I will be dusting off our pirate hats and singing songs from Bloody Blackbeard with the NC Symphony’s “Pirates!” show.
