The Shady Groves

In recent years, the conviction has only grown in me that Christmas Day marks the beginning, not the end, of a beautiful, peaceful season to celebrate Truth, Beauty, and Goodness (both in the created and the Creator) that abide in the midst of changing fortunes. With that in mind, I know this year's Christmas offering comes right on the feast day of Christmas, but depending on how one celebrates, there are either eight or twelve beautiful days to bask in the unique beauty of the season. Here are some songs that are helping me to that end this year (and some which have been doing so for quite a while now)! Kate Rusby "The Moon Shines Bright" This antique Christmas and New Year carol literally "rocks"... folk rocks, that is! It is a warm, rich, fiery winter punch that makes the boundaries of time cease to exist for the span of a song. I have been listening to this on repeat for the past two Christmases... Loreena McKennitt & Cedric Smith “The King” This is ano...

2025  certainly has been an eventful year in my life, and music had followed me all the way through my adventures and travels! Therefore, in lieu of monthly or seasonal updates, I offer you a review of my musical discoveries and recollections throughout this significant year, which has seen, among other things, a two-week long visit to England for Dulcimer and Halsway week and sightseeing, the long-anticipated release of my Irish music anthology for mountain dulcimer called Irish Emeralds for Mountain Dulcimer , and most recently the beginning of an intensive health journey throughout which music will continue to be a constant, through teaching, performing, and listening! Here are some of my favorite things I have listened to this year... Katherine Priddy "Indigo" "Indigo" is an early composition by up-and-coming folk urban musician Katherine Priddy (admittedly the only one of hers that I've listened to!). My suspicion is that this track's sensuous and expec...