Recorded September 2004, Pittsfield, MA

The Mackerel Jig was written by our good friend, Nick Apollonio, from Rockport, Maine. Not only is Nick a wonderful tunesmith and musician, but also a skilled boatbuilder and luthier.

Recorded July 2005, Hadley, MA

These traditional rowing songs from the Hebrides are great favorites. It's always a treat when the audience sings along.

Recorded August 2004, Round Pond, ME

This is another piece written by Nick Apollonio. The line "wings on my friendship" refers to the sails of his friendship sloop, a craft developed in Muscongus bay, the body of water where Round Pond lies.

Recorded August 2004, Round Pond, ME

This is the story of how the island of Muscongus seceeded from the Union in 1860 and didn't rejoin until 1943 - and it's all true! (no sound sample)

Recorded August 2004, Round Pond, ME

This is a tune Fred made for the fiesty people of the Independant Republic of Muscongus.

Recorded April 2006, Brasstown, NC

This is a song Julia wrote about the old fishermen who held court at the New Harbor fishermen's co-op in the 1960's. Julian Beal, Manley Gilbert, Frankie Osier,and Paul Hanley. Frankie was her great-great uncle.

Recorded April 2006, Brasstown, NC

This ballad by Ruth Moore appears in a little volume of her poems titles "Cold as a Dog, and the Wind Northeast", published by Timberhead Music of Camden, Maine. The estate of Ruth Moore has kindly consented to allow this version to be released. Fred's memory of the story is good, but there are about 40 departures from the words of the official version.

Recorded April 2005, Brasstown, NC

Another true story of the Maine coast. This happened about 2001. The occasional harp plucking is Julia tuning - it was a warm evening and there was a "tuning event". Fred's storytelling is often called upon to cover these times.

Recorded April 2005, Brasstown, NC

This is a song Fred wrote on a bet. It turns out that Ned MacKenzie and the Mary Beale were real and that the conversation reflects a courting tradition from the Hebrides. Little did he know...

Recorded September 2004, Pittsfield, MA

This is a song Julia wrote after our son, who was about ten years old, repeated it after heraing it from the "old guys on shore" (See track #6). Maybe there's hope for the future of the folk process after all.

Recorded September 2004, Pittsfield, MA

These are a couple of tunes from the Celtic lands. The Kelpie is from the Isle of Man and the Mermaid is from Scotland. Julia's arrangement for solo harp evokes the mystery of these age old myths.

Recorded May 2006, Gardiner, ME

This somber poem by Charles Kingsley has been set to music many times. The best version we have seen is this one by Stan and Garnet Rogers.

Recorded May 2006, Gardiner, ME

This is our version of a song by Frank Gotwals, "The Singing Lobsterman", from Stonington, Maine. It's a wonderful song of hope and promise. No doubt this version has drifted from Frank's, even the title has changed.

Recorded May 2006, Gardiner, ME

Julia wrote this song for the dedication of the Maine quarter, which has the three-masted schooner, Victory Chimes, and the Pemaquid lighthouse on the reverse.

Recorded August 2004, Round Pond, ME

This is an old favorite from Newfoundland. The bit in the middle is "The Boys of Blue Hill".

Recorded August 2004, Round Pond, ME

This is a song Julia wrote several years ago for her dad. It has gone on to become a song for all occasions - weddings, graduations, memorial services. There is even an eight-part choral arrangement. Castlebay often closes their concerts with this one.