The Cottage Door
Released September 2000
CDs can be purchased at Greenwood Tree performances or by scrolling down.
A collection of 27 melodies from Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Canada, Israel, and the United States. The recording highlights Stu's hammered dulcimer and Bill's D-21 Martin guitar. Each contributes to Greenwood Tree's unique sound with strong melody lines and supporting rhythmic accompaniment. Stu's unusual double-bow technique on the bowed psaltery appears on several tunes, along with Bill's mandolin and bodhran.
The CD incorporates the talents of plucked bassist Sandy Njoes, bowed bassist Rahn Yanes, and bones player Gary Bartig. Once again, Sheralyn DeYoung's cheerful artwork graces the cover. Dave Hull joined Greenwood Tree in producing the recording.
Cover art by Sheralyn DeYoung
Reviews
...a nice mixture of session standards and lesser known tunes that will keep your feet tapping as you enjoy the wonderful cover art by artist Sheralyn DeYoung...Greenwood Tree typically employs a full ensemble sound in which everybody gets a chance to show off and, as is usually the case, the whole is somewhat greater than the sum of its parts. Stu's hammered dulcimer playing is solid throughout and fits the band's sound very nicely. He also does a very nice job on bowed psaltery, using two bows to good effect on the Christ Child's Lullaby. Bill's guitar playing is also very solid and his breaks are imaginative and extremely clean. This is a dandy and very danceable recording that I'm happy to recommend. -- Neal Walters, Dulcimer Players News
...The playing is clean and precise and the two excel at trading off leads and harmonies. There is a mixture of fingerpicking and flatpicking on guitar and the hammered dulcimer alternates from melody lines to chording backup with ease...a refreshing variety of tunes. -- Ivan Emke, Dirty Linen Magazine
...Perfectly brilliant...Beautiful and delightful music engrossing from the first bars. -- Serge Tikhanoff, Radio Penguin, Novosobirsk, Siberia
Listen and Purchase
Click on a track to listen to the entire piece (public domain music) or a 30 second preview (copyrighted music).
Windy and Warm
Released August 1996
To download the album or individual tracks, scroll down. A cassette tape version of this CD can also be purchased at Greenwood Tree performances.
Twenty-two instrumental tunes consisting of lively jigs and reels, haunting waltzes, and sprightly polkas from Celtic regions. Also includes “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” “Simple Gifts,” and the light Blues favorite, “Windy and Warm.”
Cover art by Sheralyn DeYoung
Reviews
...If Windy and Warm is an accurate reflection of their stage performances, an evening with them would be well worth the price of a ticket. -- John Lupton, Sing Out! Magazine
...Neatly combines the cozily familiar with the mildly exotic...Janis' dulcimer becomes more spry, resonant and irresistible with each year. Combined with Cagley's well-placed and plucked Martin guitar, it's truly a folk sound suited to all occasions -- Tom Surowicz, Twin Cities Reader
The playing is sparkling and very clean...Bill's use of melodic bass runs in his rhythm really gives drive. The title tune is lovely, and it's pretty unusual to hear this one done on hammered dulcimer, with string bends and everything. -- Jeremy Butler, WUAL
The new CD, Windy and Warm, is EXCELLENT!!!!! My family has listened to it over and over again. My kids dance around the room to it. Your music helps provide a warm/happy family. -- Dan K. (a satisfied customer)
Listen and Purchase
Click on a track to listen to the entire piece (public domain music) or a 30 second preview (copyrighted music).
An Olde English Christmas
Released September 1994 ©1994 Holland, Inc.; Ross-6646
CDs can be purchased at Greenwood Tree performances or by scrolling down.
Twenty instrumental renditions of traditional carols, including Irish-inspired versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "I Saw Three Ships."
Reviews
...altogether delightful...[The] Chieftains would be hard-pressed to improve upon their rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" -- Tom Surowicz, Twin Cities Reader
Listen and Purchase
Click on a track to listen to the entire piece (public domain music) or a 30 second preview (copyrighted music).
Greenleaf Fancy
Released November 1994
CDs can be purchased at Greenwood Tree performances or by scrolling down. A cassette tape version of this CD can also be purchased at Greenwood Tree performances.
Twenty-eight instrumental tunes ranging from sprightly Irish jigs to a French-tinged waltz. Also includes Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and “The Ashgrove.”
Cover art by Sheralyn DeYoung
Reviews
...makes me feel the way...early McCutcheon [or] early Fennig's All-Stars...used to. -- Pat Walke, Deep Creek Folk Music Connection
...Jigs, reels and hornpipes are putty in the able hands of Greenwood Tree, and its antiquated yet spry sound is hard to resist. -- Tom Surowicz, Minnesota Star-Tribune
...a very nice arrangement [of "Amelia"], showing great sensitivity. -- Bob McQuillen, (composer of "Amelia")
Listen and Purchase
Click on a track to listen to the entire piece (public domain music) or a 30 second preview (copyrighted music).
Greenwood Tree
Greenwood Tree's first cassette recording, which is now out of print. A few tracks were rerecorded on The Cottage Door.
Reviews
...a shimmering set of tunes -- James Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Track List
- Golden Keyboard / Merry Blacksmith / Star of Munster
- Morgan Megan / O'Carolan's Concerto (both by Turlough O'Carolan)
- Southwind / Young Jane
- Off She Goes / Swallowtail Jig / Holy Rood
- Star of the County Down
- Waltzing Mathilda (by Banjo Bob Patterson)
- Trip to Sligo / Tobin's Favorite / Langstrom's Pony
- Mairi's Wedding / British Grenadiers / Farewell to Whiskey
- Hard Times (by Stephen Foster)
- Spootiskerry / Wullafjord
- Orsa Vals
- Waiting for Rains (by Stu Janis) / Derrane's Jig
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