Passage

Artists: DeeDee Tibbits, Tom Krause, Terry Bell
Genre: Celtic Instrumental & Vocal
Tracks: 14 (listed below)

Starvation, persecution, hardships… whatever the reason, in the mid-1800s over a million and a half Irish and Scottish immigrants booked passage on sailing ships and set out for North America to embrace a new land, new neighbors, and a new life. Work, safety, and freedom is what they sought to find in this new land. These weary travelers could afford to bring only the essentials, whatever could fit in a trunk, or carry on their back, is usually what made the trip… along with one other very important item… their music.

In this album, we honor their passage by trying to stay true to traditional tunes and instrumentation. The driving rhythms of the guitar and bouzouki, the lilting passages of the fiddle and concertina, and the soaring, spirited melodies of the penny whistle and hammered dulcimer take us on a journey… one of the heart as well as the ear. As we worked on this project, we found ourselves inspired and filled with hope by this music that touches our souls. We hope you are transformed as well. May your life’s passage be a blessed one. – Sonas