Atlantic Crossing
New England Roots music from Vermont
for contra dances, festivals, weddings, concerts ...

Turning the Compass

Audio Clip

CD artwork

Our 4th release (2006) takes us into the realms of self-production. This album has a similar mix of sets of dance tunes and ballads to the previous three. Prominently featured is Viveka's song-writing. Her account of the deeds of Thomas MacDonough at Vergennes VT in the war of 1812 is also to be found on the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's recent compilation Life on Lake Champlain, and includes Peter's recording debut on low whistle. The Wreck of the Troy is based on information from Art Cohn's book, Lake Champlain's Sailing Canal Boats, about the sinking of this particular boat. Rumrunner Blues relates the stories behind some of the local hooch smuggling that occurred during prohibition. In addition there are a couple of songs from the Flanders Collection - a poignant civil war ballad and a locally collected tale of pig rustling - and, by popular demand, John Connolly's Fiddler's Green. Brian, Viveka and Peter all contribute original tunes to the dance sets, mixed in with Celtic, New England, Quebecois and Metis tunes. Rick shows his diversity by filling out the bottom end with a bass part on a number of tracks.

This album is being played in diverse parts of the world from Australia to Norway, from California to Belarus.

1. Montebello (reel set)

2. The Wreck of the Troy

3. Festival du Voyageur (reel set)

4. Fiddler's Green

5. Tipsy Sailor (jig set)

6. Rumrunner Blues

7. Swedish Waltzes

8. The Battle of Gettysburg

9. Winnie Hayes (jig set)

10. Ironville Loop (reel set)

11. MacDonough's Fleet

12. St Denis Fever (reel set)

13. Clinton County Jail

14. Manchester Reel (reel set)


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