I like listening to instrumental music while I write, and I’ve found Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning’s work to be among the best–gentle, inspiring, and decidedly Celtic.
I posted an interview with Jeff Johnson earlier. Back when the interview first ran he asked if I’d like to review his latest CD. Of course I said, “Yes, please!”
Winterfold is the perfect combination of gentle spirit-lifting music and rhythmic toe-tapping pieces. Johnson is accompanied as he is on many of his CDs by Irish musician Brian Dunning, but this time they’ve also featured Wendy Goodwin on violin. A few other musicians join in as well, and the result is a nice long CD you can play this winter without the usual holiday tunes. Not that I don’t love Christmas music, but sometimes you want something new and fresh, and this is it.
The CD was inspired in part by the writings of George Mackay Brown, a Scottish poet.
One of my favorite tracks is called Watching Clouds. It made me feel like I was back here, watching these clouds at Rosses Point, County Sligo, Ireland.
But it’s hard to pick a favorite because all the tracks are inspiring. I hope you’ll check out Winterfold!
You can listen to Watching Clouds and purchase the CD here.
FTC disclosure: Jeff Johnson and Ark Music provided me with a promotional copy of Winterfold for the purpose of a review. I was not otherwise compensated or required to write a positive review. This review is nothing but my own honest opinion.
