You're about to hear a little taste from all the songs on the CD. We begin with

The Old King's Reel
Some years back Natalie MacMaster taught my daughter and I (and several other people at fiddle camp) a tune called "The Old King's Reel." It has remained one of my favorite pieces of music over the years, and I found myself wondering what the Old King's story might be. Well, here's one possibility. The harmony voices are Kat Eggleston and Jerry Thiel. I'm taking the first lead on the concertina. Devin Shepherd plays the final lead on the fiddle. (You'll need to hear the full version to hear it.)

One Love To Last
That's Alain Genty playing bass with me. He's from Paris, France, and I find him astonishing. I think he's one of the most gifted musicians on the planet. You'll hear him a lot on the album.

Fields Of Wheat
Once again the voice of Kat Eggleston and Jerry Thiel. Two of my favorite songwriters.

Marathon
Long distance running as an allegory for life. For anyone who's ever taken on a mountain of a task. That's the amazing John Williams playing the accordion. I think he's the closest thing to Mozart I've run across.

God's Rules
You know the story in the bible where God tells Abraham to kill his son Isaac? And he's going to do it! Well, what I find even more amazing is that I've sat in church and had that story preached as being the epitome of devotion to God. I fear that sometimes deeply religious people become convinced they know God's Will and end up behaving in ways that are less than kind. I find myself wondering if atheists would have flown the planes into the twin towers on 9/11. I can't imagine it.

The Water Is Wide
What you're hearing is the second verse so you can hear Kat Eggleston joining in. She's one of my heroes. I think she's an amazing songwriter. As good as you can get at it. I'm kind of irrelevant on this track. It's her vocal that cut's me to the quick.

When The Winds Return
The result of a trip to St. Croix to do some English Country Dancing. It really is paradise down there. But every once in a while they get hit with a hurricane, and it can be quite devastating. Yet they carry on. Piano is by Jacqueline Schwab and the cellist is Reinmar Seidler. Two very gifted musicians. Jacqueline played on some of the Ken Burns documentaries and is the pianist for Bare Necessities. For years I've been astonished by her playing, and I've always dreamed of having her play on one of my albums. Reinmar plays on a number of the tracks. Flute by Carol Francis.

Wishes
There's a whole story behind this but I'll save it for the concert. Carol Francis is playing the flute. When we get to the end it's a sing-along. Be prepared.

She Is Better These Days
I'm playing my new bouzouki, the extraordinary Tony McManus of Canada is playing guitar and Alain Genty is on bass. A song about feeling needed.

The Orgy Song
I wanted to say something about acceptance and I didn't want to be too maudlin about it. I thought this might get people to smile a little bit. And yes, you're expected to sing-along on the chorus. Unless, of course, you've actually been to an orgy in which case I'm not sure if it would be quite right to join in.

Great Life
All guitars by Tony McManus. I was wondering what it would feel like at the end of life. What would you remember most?

Not The Nightgown
Women have no idea how they affect us. Our brains short-circuit. We think you're beautiful.

Life Is Hard
And then you die. Sing loud.

The Illinois 7th Regiment
I think war is crazy and a little insane. But I do admire courage. I don't feel obligated to be consistent. This, by the way, is not history. It's fiction. In the Civil War, there never was a regiment wiped out to the last man. That was an illusion of the battlefield.

If you'd like an autographed copy of The Old King's Reel, mail $15 to Bruce Holmes at 1115 Mulford Street, Evanston, IL 60202-3318.

© Bruce Holmes 2008 All Rights Reserved