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Our Review

The North Star Records label tends to bring to light wonderful music that's tough to find anywhere else. And so it is with Glad Tidings, an enriching folk album featuring the Parallel String Band, a premier acoustic group hailing from Rhode Island. Actually, this holiday offering features the Parallel String Band (the foursome of Matt Bolles, Lisa Schmitz, Rick McKinney, Chris Heinzmann) "& Friends," so we know there are some additional talented types lurking about. Here, the lurkers are seven wonderful musicians, including guitar virtuoso Mark Davis, whose own holiday CDs have been favorites of mine for ages.

Glad Tidings is well named because the CD brings news, and the news is all good. This folk music errs on the bluegrass end of the acoustic scale, with some Celtic/early music influences thrown in here and there. The 15 tracks demonstrate a wide range of holiday numbers, mixing the meditative classical ("Quem Pastores") with the decidedly swingin' secular ("Jingle Bells"). Most of the tracks contain vocals, including some extremely cool harmonies. A few cuts are instrumental zingers, with enough bluegrass pizzazz to overflow your holiday stockings. My favorite tracks here include the a cappella "Coventry Carol" with its multi-layered harmonizations, the playful Il Est Ne, which has fun percussive flourishes and the feel of an early music piece, the joyous instrumental medley "Up On The Housetop/Noel, Merrily On High," and "Angels We Have Heard on High," which fairly bursts with bluegrass enthusiasm.

This CD is a fine choice for any aficionado of folk music.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Matt Bolles: vocals, bass
Mark Davis: classical guitar, mandolin, mando-cello
Phil Edmonds: Abel whistle, Irish whistles
Mance Grady: bells, bodhran, bones, Cajun triangle, tambourine
Russell Gusetti: guitar
Chris Heinzmann: fiddle, viola
Cathy Jacques: vocals
Mike Kropp: 1932 Gibson RB3 banjo
Rick McKinney: mandolin on jigs, vocals
Phil Smith: guitar, dobro, vocals
Lisa Schmitz: clawhammer banjo, vocals

Produced by Matt Bolles & Lisa Schmitz
Recorded by David Correia and Christine Lilley
Mixed and Mastered by David Correia, Celebration Sound, Warren, RI

"Glad Tidings" written by Rick McKinney

Traditional Christmas Music Renewed by banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, percussion, Irish whistle and voice.

We wish for so many things during the holiday season. We are swept away by waves of shiny ribbon and temptation as fragile as tinsel. Above the roar, it's easy not to hear the heartbeat of Christmas.

So close your eyes, open your heart and listen.

These 15 timeless melodies have been lovingly chosen for the joy, warmth and beauty they conjure. Bathed in their jubilation, you're sure to be reminded of the only wish that truly matters.

It is a wish worth the wishing--that the generous, open spirit of Christmas glow like an ember every day from now on.

From the Website:

Music for Living. Wherever life may lead, North Star Music is designed to enhance the journey. With a diversity of quality recordings and distinctive artists to suit the changing rhythms of your day. We invite you to explore our carefully selected repertoire.

The overwhelming success of the soundtrack to "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" has once again brought the simple joys of traditional American music to the forefront. Lisa Schmitz and her many talented friends were playing this music long before it became a "trend". And this beautifully crafted collection of Christmas favorites comes steeped in tradition, performed by some of the best folk musicians in New England. These 15 timeless melodies have been lovingly chosen for the joy, warmth, and beauty they conjure. It is indeed Glad Tidings. Widely regarded as one of the region's top melodic banjo players, Lisa Schmitz (performing on Glad Tidings with The Parallel String Band), is a teacher, student, author, wife, mother, and musician from Hope Valley, Rhode Island. For Glad Tidings, (co-produced with Matt Boles), Lisa & Matt have assembled a stunning array of musicians and 15 songs that virtually define the season.

The Parallel String Band & Friends

Glad Tidings

Artist site

Track List