Journey to the New World

by Sharon Isbin

Overview

When the word "crossover" is used to refer to a classical artist like guitarist Sharon Isbin, it usually indicates an intention by the artist to appeal to a broader audience than the usual one for classical music. Isbin's album Journey to the New World can be described as a crossover effort in this regard, but she seems to have had another sort of crossover in mind in terms of the collection's theme. Musically, the selections depict a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from Great Britain to North America. Isbin begins with traditional British music and British folk, performing the works of lute player John Dowland and others upfront. She then makes a transition to American folk music by playing tunes that came across the ocean in centuries past. In this effort, she enlists folksinger Joan Baez, who is heard before and after the seven-part "Joan Baez Suite," first singing a couple of verses of "Wayfaring Stranger," and then, after Isbin has presented her versions of songs like "The House of the Rising Sun" and "The Lily of the West," returning for "Go 'Way from My Window." The third part of the album finds Isbin moving on to the next step in the journey of traditional folk music, i.e., to becoming American country music. The 13-part "Strings & Threads Suite" is a full-scale duet collaboration with country fiddler Mark O'Connor on a variety of brief jigs, reels, and waltzes. The two performers, though coming from different traditions, work together well, effecting a conclusion to the journey to the new world that the album makes musically. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	03/24/2009
Label:	Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	0886974545620
Rank:	92150

Tracks

1. Drewie's Accordes, for 2 lutes
2. My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home, for lute, P 66
3. La Rossignol, for 2 lutes (from the Jane Pickering Lute Book)
4. Greensleeves for consort
5. The Drunken Sailor
6. Wild Mountain Thyme
7. Andecy, for guitar
8. Wayfaring Stranger, religious ballad
9. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~1. Fantasia: Once I had a Sweetheart / Rambler Gambler / Barbara Allen
10. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~2. The House of the Rising Sun
11. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~3. The Lily of the West
12. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~4. The Unquiet Grave
13. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~5. Silkie
14. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~6. Where have all the Flowers Gone?
15. Joan Baez Suite, for guitar, Op. 144~7. Finale: Rake and Rambling Boy / Wildwood Flower / The Trees they do Grow High
16. Go 'Way from My Window, for voice & piano
17. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~1. Fair Dancer Reel
18. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~2. Sailor's Jig
19. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~3. Captain's Jig
20. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~4. Off to Sea
21. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~5. Pilgrim's Waltz
22. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~6. Road to Appalachia
23. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~7. Shine On
24. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~8. Cotton Pickin' Blues
25. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~9. Pickin' Parlor Rag
26. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~10. Queen of the Cumberland
27. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~11. Texas Dance Hall Blues
28. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~12. Swing
29. Strings & Threads Suite, version for violin & guitar~13. Sweet Suzanne

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sharon Isbin   Primary Artist,Guitar
Joan Baez   Vocals
Mark O'Connor   Violin

Technical Credits

Christian Sanchez   Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Michael Thompson   Mixing Engineer
J. Henry Fair   Photography
Laura Kszan   Project Director
Andy Ryder   Assistant Engineer
Meghan Foley   Design,Art Direction
Anonymous, English   Composer
Pei Y Ni   Design
Leslie Collman-Smith   Marketing
Traditional   Composer
Silas Brown   Editing,Mastering
Andrew York   Composer
John W. Duarte   Composer
Sharon Isbin   Liner Notes,Photography,Music Editor,Transcription,Executive Producer
Carlos Barbosa-Lima   Arranger
Mark O'Connor   Composer
Dann Thompson   Engineer
Timothy Martyn   Engineer
Tom Lazarus   Mixing Engineer
Judy Kirschner   Assistant Engineer
John Dowland   Composer
John Jacob Niles   Composer
Dann Michael Thompson   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
David Frost   Editing,Producer,Mastering
Alex Miller   General Manager
Roxanne Slimak   Art Direction
Edward Flower   Arranger
Elizabeth A. Wright   Product Development
Maureen McCluskey   Stylist,Wardrobe