The new Stark Raven CD, 'Committed', is now available.  The recording includes over an hour of songs, tunes, and a few surprises.  Order it using our Order Form, or go to or Amazon.com.  Here is a list of the selections;

1. REGINALD’S ESCAPE  

2. MY DARLIN' PAT

   My Darlin’ Pat (Traditional)
   Off She Goes (Traditional) 

3. THE WEEDS IN MY GARDEN SET

   Wals Voor Pollee (W. Poesen)
   The Weeds in My Garden (Craig Markley)
   The Banshee (Traditional)

4. JOHN OF HAZELGREEN

   (Traditional)   mp3

5. NANCY PRIDE OF THE WEST  

   Nancy Pride of the West (Traditional) 
   Petronella (Traditional)
   The Huntsman (Traditional)
   The Green Willis (Traditional)

6. THE GAL SET

   Noches Estrelladas   (Beckie Boger)
   A Candle in the Window (Sue Mogan-Mattison)
   Evening Farewell (Traditional)

7. RED-TAIL RISING 

   (Beckie Boger)

8. THE BLACKSMITH

   The Blacksmith (Traditional)
   Billy In The Lowground (Traditional) 

9. THE DUNN SONG

   (Traditional, adapted by Tommy Sands)

10. VEENA’S WALTZ

    Eamonn An Chnoic (Traditional)
    Veena's Waltz or The Upstairs Room (David Reddick)

11. I KNOW MY LOVE

    (Traditional)

12. MARTINMASS WIND

    Martinmass Wind (Traditional)
    Haste To The Wedding (Traditional)

13. EIGHT YEARS OLD

    Eight Years Old (Craig Markley)
    The Empty Chair (Craig Markley)

14. REGINALD’S FIRST PINT AT THE PUB/SID’S SLIPPERY SLOPE SET

    Reilly's Reel (Traditional)
    Slippery Slope (Sid Omasta)

15. REGINALD’S RELUCTANT RETURN

Stark Raven's debut recording is available using our Order Form, or go to or Amazon.com.

1. Murphy’s Slide/O’Keefe’s Slide/Cuil Aodha

   Irish Traditional Arr.-Stark Raven
   As Sid always says, “Jigs come in four sizes - single, double, slip, and slide.” Slides are in 12/8 time.

   
   

2. The Three Ravens

   English Traditional, Arr.-Stark Raven, Vocal-Sue
   This song is probably the oldest selection in our repertoire-dating back to 1611. The song was collected by Francis James Child, and bears a close resemblance to the Scottish song, “The Twa Corbies”.

   
   

3. Handsome Cabin Boy

   Traditional Arr.-D. Reddick, Vocal - David
   One of many songs in traditional music about young ladies who dressed as soldiers or sailors to follow the man they loved or, in this case, to see the world..

   portion of Handsome Cabin Boy 422K .wav

   
   
   

4. Change in the Air/Softly She Whispers

   Music by C. Markley
   “Although both of these tunes were composed at different times, I decided to combine them for this recording. The first air is a bit of a play on words as it contains both a time and key signature change. I received my inspiration for Softly She Whispers from the beautiful Irish tune Gentle Maid. This set lovingly goes out to Tanya and Kara” - Craig.

   portion of Change in the Air 322K .wav

   
   
   

5. Where Lydia Lies

   Words and Music by B. Boger, Vocal - Beckie
   “In a magical moment during an evening drive along the Olentangy River, I believe that Lydia chose me and my music to share the story of her and Johnny. And, just up the road, a church called Liberty still echoes their love.” - Beckie

   
   

6. She Moved Through The Fair/Red Haired Boy

   Irish Traditional, Arr.-Stark Raven
   The first selection in this set was adapted from an old Gaelic air by Herbert Hughes with lyrics by Padraic Colum. It has received a variety of interpretations over the years, and we could not help but add another. The use of the Nigerian ‘UDU’ drum helps to lend an ‘Eastern’ feel to our arrangement. Thanks to Kay Harris-Matteo for her vocal interpretation. The second tune is a traditional Irish reel, it is also known as “The Little Beggarman.

   portion of She Moved Through the Fair 409K .wav

   
   
   

7. The Trooper and the Maid

   Scottish Traditional, Arr.-C. Markley, Vocal - Craig
   We have discovered several versions of this song, all of which are based on the very popular theme of soldier, woman, and war. We have given this particular arrangement somewhat of a Breton feel.

   
   

8. My William

   Words and Music by D. Reddick, Vocal - Sue
   

   
   

9. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing/O’Hara’s Cup/Wag of the Tail-less Dog/Idlewild Jig

   Traditional Arr.-Stark Raven except Wag of the Tail-less Dog - Music by D. Reddick
   The first selection is from the Hymn collection of John Wyeth. O’Hara’s Cup is by the well known 17th century Irish harper O’Carolan. Wag of the Tail-less Dog was named for David’s Welsh Corgie, Sebastian. The set finishes with a traditional Irish jig.

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