Those who know me and my eclectic and far-ranging musical tastes know that there’s usually one bridge I rarely cross: the fusion of idioms and styles.  All of that conservatism is shattered with this new project from 4 of my absolute favorite musicians/singers: Hanz Araki, Colleen Raney, Matt Shipman and Erica Brown.  I must say that I’ve always found that the closer American old-time-y/Appalachian music hews to its Celtic roots, the better I like it (case in point: Francis Cunningham’s bouzouki with Mike Snider on the Grand Ole Opry).  This collaboration works both ways when it also brings an American flavor to Celtic tunes,  and I love it.

And THIS!