Colonial Faire’s latest collection of songs covers the grand sweep of the 18th and 19th centuries in America. The music develops from early imports (Scottish, Irish, English, Welsh, French) and proceeds as America develops original musical voices of its own – not only the songwriters (Foster, Howe, Kittridge) but also the anonymous singers,

Colonial Faire’s latest collection of songs covers the grand sweep of the 18th and 19th centuries in America. The music develops from early imports (Scottish, Irish, English, Welsh, French) and proceeds as America develops original musical voices of its own – not only the songwriters (Foster, Howe, Kittridge) but also the anonymous singers, fiddlers, mountaineers, and voyageurs, collectively known as “Traditional,” who are the creators of more than half the songs we present. One can hear the evolution from the more traditional British style to styles influenced by later immigrants and those of the enslaved, who gave us the rich African-American music tradition. It was recorded in the great hall at Stratford Hall in 2020. The Band wishes to acknowledge the enslaved builders who built Stratford Hall and the Great Room with the marvelous acoustics where we recorded. We offer up this album to honor their sacrifice under the most difficult and unjust of circumstances.

Colonial Faire: James Brown, guitar and vocals; Judith Whitfield, hammered dulcimer; Jim Melnick, violin; Amy Meyer, Celtic harp and vocals; Rannie Winn, high & low whistles and vocals; Josh Wassum, cello. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by John Jewell of Jewell Tone Music. We appreciate his amazing artistry. Recorded live in the Great Room of Stratford Hall and featuring the period acoustics of the Colonial era.