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This Winter on the Great Divide digipak delivers a delicious little slice of folkie heaven. Anne & Pete Sibley are a married couple who mesh their significant talents (she's the principal singer, and he's the primary instrumentalist & arranger) into a very satisfying, albeit slightly short (just 35 minutes), holiday effort. Joining the Sibleys is Ben Winship, who also appears on another Christmas offering reviewed this season (see Yule Ties).

Now I could wax eloquent about the fine clawhammer pickin' or Anne's sweet vocals, and those features are impressive, but I would rather focus on the album's heart and soul: the remarkable, homespun harmonies. The Sibleys' voices combine in the most natural and winning fashion, a warmly rustic and appealing brew. There are many lovely harmonic moments on Winter on the Great Divide; my favorite tracks include the always exquisite Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, presented a cappella with oh-so-delicate reverence, and the slightly hushed magic of Once in Royal David's City. Excellent!

The world seems a bit brighter when married couples make beautiful music together, and so it is with the Sibleys. Their Winter on the Great Divide provides tasty comfort food on a cold December night. Yum! Next time, larger portions, please!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Pete Sibley--Guitar, Clawhammer Banjo, Vocals
Anne Sibley--Vocals, Guitar (#2)
Ben Winship--Mandolin (#10), Bouzouki (#6), Tenor Guitar & Vocals (#d), Bass (#4)

All songs in the public domain except #4
All songs arranged by Pete Sibley; Cold Frosty Morning arranged by Pete Sibley & Ben Winship
Produced by Anne & Pete Sibley with Ben Winship
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ben Winship, Henhouse Studio, Victor, ID
Design by Sage Hibberd, Sage Design
Cover Photo by Mark Gocke (www.markgocke.com)

May peace be in your heart this holiday season -- Anne & Pete

From the Website:

Anne and Pete love to get right to the heart of their audience. For the husband and wife duo it is about the vocals, the words and the harmonies. Accompanied on guitar and banjo theirs is a traditional yet original sound. Anne & Pete have been singing together since they met in their high school choir. They were inspired by duet performers of traditional acoustic music when they began performing at the local Hootenanny in Jackson, Wyo. where they are based. Anne's powerful vocals and songwriting paired with Pete's solid melodic clawhammer banjo playing and harmonies highlight their recordings and live performances.

Since 2004 they have been offering their blend of original folk, bluegrass, old-timey and traditional songs to wider audiences. In 2008 they continue to play folk & bluegrass festivals across the nation. They are grateful for the opportunity to share their original and traditional music.

Anne & Pete Sibley Sibley

Winter on the Great Divide

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Track List