Audio Tracks

1. THE ASH GROVE (multiple harps) 3:32
2. COMIN’ THROUGH THE RYE (harp & synth) 4:04
3. THE DRUNKEN SAILOR (multiple harps) 4:48
4. SIOBEG SIOMOR / YE BANKS & BRAES / PLANXTY IRWIN (medley for solo harp) 5:13
5. SLIEVE RUSSELL (harp & flute) 3:30
6. ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT / KIRA'S LULLABYE (solo harp) 4:17
7. OFF SHE GOES & SHE’S GONE (multiple harps) 3:52
8. SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR (solo harp) 3:15
9. GUSSIE’S GREAT ESCAPE (multiple harps, voices, prepared harp, & synth) 2:54
10. LOCH LOMOND (harp & synth) 3:40
11. THE MASON’S APRON (harp & keyboard) 3:38
12. MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSE (solo harp) 3:48
13. ST. ANNE’S REEL / HERE IN THE SUN (harp, flare. synth & voice) 3:36

In 1988, I was invited to Scotland to teach at the Edinburgh Harp Festival. I was a jazz harpist by trade and was hired to teach the traditional Celtic harpers how to play the blues on their Scottish harps (called Clarseachs"), but while they played the 12-bar blues, I fell in love with their traditional music. Since I was a child, I've loved tunes like "Cumin' Through the Rye, "The Drunken Sailor," and "The Ash Grove'" but nothing had prepared me for the rich tradition of reels and jigs and the kind of upbeat duo harp playing that I heard from the group Sileas.

I have now visited the Celtic lands many times and each time, have come away with a sense of inspiration. In 1988, the Camac Harp Company in Brittany (the Celtic area of France) presented me with a unique instrument: an electric Celtic harp which I can wear like an electric guitarist wears a guitar. It's this harp, the Camac "Baby Blue." that I used exclusively on this album. THE CELTIC ALBUM is the result of my love affair with Celtic music and the remarkable Celtic harp.

Special thanks to Patsy Seddon & Mary MacMaster (Sileas), Davey Steele, Davey Tulloch: John, Barbara & Heather Yule. Melanie Herrol, Jeanne Snodgrass, Susi Witt, Catharine David, The O'Leary Family, Dawn Atkinson, Carl Beatty, Dan Beach, Bob Kroeger, Beth Stadnicki, Roberto Mars, Mariannig Larc'Hantec, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Rencontres Internationales de Harpe Celtique, & especially CAMAC Harps (France).

All Songs Traditional except "Kira's Lullabye," "She's Gone," "Gussie's Great Escape," & "Here in the Sun"
by Deborah Henson Conant © 1998 Golden Cage Music, Inc/BMI
All songs arranged & performed on harp. synth. & keyboard by Deborah Henson Conant
with special guest Peter Barnes (flute) on 'Slieve Russell" & "St. Anne's Reel"

Concept by Stephanie Zand & Deborah Henson-Conant
Recorded at Crisis Island Studios (Somerville, MA)
Mixing by Leonoid von Hopper and Joey Monteverdi at Crisis Island Studios
Mastering by Jonathan Wyner at M Works (Cambridge, MA)
Art Direction by Stephanie Zand, Todd Gilmour & Deborah Henson Conant
Production Design by Alison Tolman-Rogern
Photos: DHC at Lismore Castle, Ireland - Stephanie Zand
DHC in Dinan, France & DHC in Marnz, Germany - Stephen Powell
Produced by Deborah Henson-Conant
Executive Producer Stephanie Zand