This is all about our new CD - Meanderings
I've been talking about it for at least 4 years, and it has finally come about.
Nothing happens until it's time!
"White River" is out on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjTTvqOYEt4
It is available through CD Baby for $12.97, or directly from me
dragonslairmusic@yahoo.com
Also, we have a group on facebook: Dragons Lair Music to keep everyone up to date on happenings!
I am ever so grateful for all of this!
Also, we have a group on facebook: Dragons Lair Music to keep everyone up to date on happenings!
I am ever so grateful for all of this!
My best friend (& husband) John, on Mountain Dulcimer and vocals, joins me on the three traditional pieces Rueben's Train, Wildwood Flower and I'll Fly Away.
1. The Northlands 3:54 D. Peters, guitar & vocals
Written in early October 2011 during a trip home (Wisconsin). Going back north brought back so many memories of my childhood; the ice expanding on the lake in January and the thunderous cracking echoing through the night, the frogs welcoming spring back, White pelicans resting on their way north, ducks surrounding my canoe in the evening as I played my guitar on the gentle waves. Beautiful sunsets..... So much beauty all around me. I'm grateful for those days growing up on the lake.
Lyrics
I was born in the Northlands, by a lake, I learned to crawl
in the spring, I'd watch the ice melt, and hear the frogs
Summer was meant for swimmin, and fishin' for bluegills
Red, Orange, Gold, were autumns colors
And the ducks flew south, when the winds did chill
(chorus)
Then came the Northlands brilliant snow, and the icy winds that blow
they make you want to hibernate or go, where the winter winds are just a warm breeze
Sandhill cranes fly in formation, singing trills as they go on
It warms my heart, to hear their laughter, spring and autumns song
Loons dance across the water, white pelicans glide, wing to wing
whippoorwills, croon in the stillness and bats fly by on silent wings (chorus)
In the south, lush hills are waiting, to the west mountains brush the sky
And the desert heat unthaws my body, and expands my mind. (chorus)
2. Springtime Waltz 4:45 D. Peters Mountain Dulcimer & guitar
I had forgotten all about this little piece that I wrote in 2004 until I was browsing back throuh my compositions and ran across it. I see flowers coming into bloom with bees and butterflies taking of their nectar; cumulous clouds passing through a brilliant blue sky as I lay in the hammock finding in them fish and dragons, castles and horses.
3. Gone Fishin 1:39 D Peters, vocal & guitar
I had bought John a fly rod when we were first married some 20+ years ago, and he made the mistake of teaching me how to use it, after that, whoever got up first got the fly rod, so on my birthday he got me one of my own. I had been fishing all my life - and it was, ok - but fly fishing with it's constant rhythm delighted my entire being. After we sold the house on the lake near Rhinelander I settled into raising a family and forgot all about it until.... coming to Branson. We toured the fish hatchery and John got his fishing license and we commenced having trout for lunch 4 days out of 7! (I LOVE fish, yum) We went down to the fly fishing area just below the dam and I took my chair along - twice - then realized I could be out there having fun too. I still had my waders! Not too long after that, this little song was born.
Lyrics
Gone fishin', gone fishin', that's what you'll find when you stop by our door,
Gone fishin, gone fishin' and we'll be back when they don't bite no more!
We've got our flies and rods and reels and waders in the back,
it's dark outside but soon the sun will rise,
the crickets sing so sweetly and the grass is wet with dew,
our sandwiches are packed, it's time to fly.
We've waited for a day like this when time can slip away,
relaxation's on the list of things to do today.
The truck door slams the engine purrs, the headlights show the way,
and off we go a'singin' about where we're goin' today.....
4. Dance of the Tree Knomes 2:01 D. Peters
Guitar, Bass Mountain Dulcimer, Alto and Soprano Reorders, Tamborine and Shaker
This was a gift of the trees back when we were living in the country outside of Colfax. It just sort of emerged from my guitar. You can hear mother earth's energy in the bass, and the sap coming up into the limbs and helping bring forth the leaves. The energy sparkles!
5. Rebecca's Child 3:28 D. Peters, Alto Recorder and Mountain Dulcimer
A good friend of mine was expecting her first child, so I wrote this for Mirabelle. Imagine her swinging from a tire swing hung from a huge oak limb on a sultry summer day. She takes joy in the fresh dew covered dawn grass, the grass hoppers and warbler song from the thicket.
6. Never Leave your Guitar 1:54 D. Peters, Vocal & Guitar
I wrote this for two of my young guitar students many years ago. I had been talking to them about how to take care of their instruments and ..... this little piece came forth!
Lyrics
Never leave your guitar unattended outside, for if you do you're taking quite a risk!
The sun could do some damage and a snake might crawl inside, looking for a place to close it's lids.
Imagine your suprise upon returning, the finish is all cracked and clouded up
and when you strum you hear a frightened hiss within, you are cranky too when woken up!
Never leave your guitar unattended outside, for if you do you're taking quite a risk!
The squirrels might hide their acorns in the big sound hole, birds may pluck the strings to build their nests,
and when you return you will find, that natures ways have clearly redefined,
the purpose of its delicate design, from instrument to home within the vines!
Never leave your guitar unattended outside, for if you do you're taking quite a risk!
A storm could come along and blow it all around, rain would warp your beautiful instrument.
And when you return you will find, a family of mice on pick-guard high,
Sailing little boats upon the sound hole mote, and singing with their voices oh so high (or, while eatting razzledazzle berry pie)
Never leave your guitar unattended outside, for if you do you're taking quite a risk!
7. Wildwood Flower 1:57 Traditional, J. Peters, Mountain Dulcimer D. Peters, Guitar
This is one of John's favorites, and it's nice to hear something you know. The title makes me think of the beautiful woodland flowers, and the tune makes me want to dance!
Photo by Lea Chrestman
8. Skeeter n Swoops 2:57 D. Peters, Vocal & Guitar
Our daughters kindergarten class was studying bats, so I wrote this little piece of nature appreciation about a bat and a purple martin for them and took along a little picture of a bat they could color; they loved it! The neat thing was that evening after eating at an incredible Mexican restaurant in EauClaire, we walked out and headed over toward the river, and there on the big oak tree was a little brown bat, and I got the feeling she was saying "Thank you"
Lyrics
Skeeter is a bat, well, wha'do you think about that? He lives in a cave with all his family.
He likes to sleep all day, in the quiet cool moist cave, emerging when the sun is barely down
Swoops she likes to play in the sun above the lake, she lives in a house up high above a field
Flying gracefully, while she eats delicacies, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, they're her food.
Chorus
Did you know, these flying ones are friends of mine? Each a part of the precious web of life.
Please observe and respect them they're your family too.
Never hurt what you don't understand, never fear what you don't understand.
Skeeter and his friends fly acrbatics with sharp bends, to feast upon mosquitoes moths and bugs.
Using sonar "stead of eyes, these mamals of small size, consume 600 each inside an hour.
Swoops colors shine bright, all through the daylight, flashing shades of violet for all to see.
Her babies like to stay, by the doorstep through the day, awaiting juicy morsels from their mom. Chorus
They meet at dusk each day, and that is when they play, catching little bugs that boher you and me,
so greet them with a grin, and watch them as they spin, and learn all that you can of natures ways
Chorus
Now you know, these flying ones are friends of mine, all a part of the precious web of life,
you and I are a part of their familoy too; learn to love all that nature has to share, you will grow to be wise if you're aware.
9. Rueben's Train 5:17 J. Peters, Mountain Dulcimer D. Peters, Bowed Dulcimer
Another of our favorite traditional pieces, Imagine the train leaving from the station and heading out across the plains - building up speed, then coming to the mountains and the next station. I don't even remember where we learned this one, but it's fun to play, and everyone we play it for really enjoys it.
10. Over the Waterfall 3:21 D. Peters, Guitar, Alto Recorder, Bowed Dulcimer
Like travelers eager to leave, the fall leaves find themselves swept downstream; unbeknownst to them, they are headed for the pool, beneath the waterfall.
11. White River 3:38 D. Peters, Vocal & Guitar
Lakeside RV Park in Branson lies along Lake Taneycomo which is actually the White River stuck between Table Rock Dam and Bull Shoals. It was a constant and wonderful companion during our six month stay. I went into the library in Branson and did a little bit of research on the area, and the White River was prominent in all of it, from thte flooding to providing food and tourist dollars to the local people.
Lyrics:
1.White River she winds through the lush Ozark Hills, while flowers and flutterby's dance on her shore, the rainbow and brown trout leap high in the air, then fall in the crystal clear flow
Chorus: River, with man in command, Mother Nature, she still runs the show
River, you dance past the sand, soothing both body and soul
2. Stories are told of the river of old, submerging the hollows and impassible roads.
More than one fool did get swept away, when fording at high water time.
Bridges went up and then bridges came down, when flood waters crept up the banks all around
Cross them before the floods sweep them away, if you're plannin' on goin' to town (chorus)
3. Now the river goes up and the river goes down, controlled by the dams; giving power to towns
and blasting and blacktop have tamed the high hills, with tall bridges connecting the roads
but the river is watching and biding her time, when man thinks he's strong and he gets out of line,
the sky will turn dark and the river will rise, and over her banks she will flow. (chorus)
12. Love is a Whisper 2:17 D. Peters, Guitar & Vocal
I have come to believe that love is within EVERYTHING! Even the wind is filled with love, and it will lead us back to our origin, which is ... love. This piece was written in 1996.
Lyrics
Love is a whisper in the wind, calling us onward, leading us on;
Listen to the whisper in the wind, all that's around us lives within.
Can you hear the whisper in the wind, open your heart wide, listen within;
Calling you homeward with it's love, ever enduring, always there.
Gentle breezes whispering my name, gentle vibrations, fill me again
Lifting me upward filled with joy; guiding with love forever more.
13. Fullfillment 2:17 D. Peters, Guitar & Bowed Dulcimer
For me, this is deep soul relaxing music, like a beautiful sunset. Serene, slow, stirring.
14. Walking Stick 2:23 D. Peters, Guitar, Alto and Soprano Recorders
During a break on a weekend retreat at Beaver Creek, I grabbed my guitar and headed for a litte clearing in the woods. The energy there was wonderful and I just started playing. This little melody came about and kept repeating over and over. When I opened my eyes - there was a walking stick sitting on the head of my guitar. This is her song.
15. Look to the One 2:53 D. Peters, Guitar & Vocal
Another of the songs that came through when I began to let go and awaken to my own truth.
Lyrics
Look to the one, for inspiration, look to the one, deep inside
for it is there, your prayers are answered, even before they're realized
Chorus
Look to the one, that's ever present, love is there, all the time
It's all around, and ever in us, waiting for us, to realize (or free our minds)
The loving light, is there to guide us, through every step, of the way
When darkness falls, bright light will show us, the path to take, to find our way (chorus)
16. I'll Fly Away 3:14 Traditional
J. Peters, Mountain Dulcimer and vocals D. Peters, Bowed Dulcimer & Vocals
Another of our favorites that we learned at the Shawano Folk Music Festival in 2010
We thought this would be a great way to close out the CD.
Lyrics
Some glad morning when this world is over, I'll Fly Away
To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll Fly Away
Chorus
I'll fly away o Glory, I'll fly away, When I die, hallelujah gy and gy, I'll Fly Away
When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll Fly Away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll Fly Away (chorus)
Just a few more weary days and then, I'll Fly Away
To a land where joys shall never end, I'll Fly Away (chorus)
The purpose of my music is to uplift the heart, & the spirit.
Recording (60+ hours) took place at Dragons Lair Music Studio (located wherever we park it:), in this case, at an RV park in Branson, Mo. I used Fruity Loops Studio software on my laptop and an old highball 2 mic. It did the job! The learning curve on this software is no picnic! That's one of the reasons it took so long to get a cd finished. I struggled and struggled with the program. The help files and online manual weren't much help until I finally got the logic of it into my head at beginning of Oct, and have been working like crazy ever since. (My walking log will prove that! Very few steps this month, but worth it!
I played and recorded all of the instruments - guitar, mountain and bowed dulcimer, alto and soprono recorder, shaker & tamborine (except on Wildwood Flower, Reuben's Train, and I'll Fly Away where John joined me) and did all the editing, mixing and mastering. The photo on the back of the CD is the bridge crossing Lake Taneycomo (flipped horizontally) on a beautiful misty morning.
This was quite a project, and I feel exhilerated and accomplished. I wanted to be able to share my music, and I hope everyone who partakes in it will enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed playing it!
