Press Release
Source: KG Music Press
Kate MacLeod‘s long-term project of study, performance, and recordings of Jean Ritchie are coming into focus with The Jean Ritchie Experience. There are four new renditions of songs to be released as singles, and plans for more. Most will include special guest musicians on the recordings.The Utah Division of Arts and Museums has awarded a grant in support of this work.
The first recorded song of the project, “Wintergrace”, was released on December 30th, 2022, with Appalachian musicians John Bryant and Morgan Morrison lending their talents. “Black Waters” released on February 10th with John Bryant once again lending talent along with Paul Hammerton.
The 3rd song for the project, “Come Fare Away With Me” will release on April 14th with the help of Paul Hammerton, Morgan Morrison, and Stephanie Thompson.
STORY OF THIS SONG IN KATE MACLEOD’S WORDS:
“This year Jean Ritchie would have been 100 years old. This is the 3rd release for The Jean Ritchie Experience, a project of discovery and a series of recordings that will over time feature many musicians. Although I’m based in Salt Lake City, when I’m not on the road performing, I try to spend as much time as possible in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where I look after my elderly mother. While doing so, I’ve sought the camaraderie of musicians in the WV region to help me with the first song releases of this project. To get this project off the ground for awareness and fundraising, I’m releasing four singles this year, after which I’ll carry this project on in even more elaborate ways, so don’t miss that.
This is a song that I’ve sung in various formats over the years, but have arranged it solely for this project with the help of singers Paul Hammerton, Morgan Morrison, and Stephanie Thompson. I included my ukulele on the track, which was made in Hawaii. When at the last minute I realized the song didn’t feel quite as full as I’d want it to sound (probably because it does not include a bass track) I borrowed an electric guitar for a supporting electric guitar track. The cover art includes a painting created for this song. Upcoming releases will be accompanied by an original piece of art I’ve created for each piece of music.”
Music Track Credits:
Come Fare Away With Me – written by Jean Ritchie
Kate MacLeod – vocals, acoustic guitar, ukulele, electric guitar
Harmony singers: Morgan Morrison, Paul Hammerton, Stephanie Thompson
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Dustin DeLage, Cabin Studios, Leesburg, VA
ABOUT THE “Come Fare Away With Me” VIDEO:
“This is the third release in a series of Jean Ritchie songs. I was not afraid to set aside my cool, to get a little corny for this video, it seemed apropos. Because of the influence of traditional folk music on Jean Ritchie’s songs, it came naturally to her to echo song styles of long ago in a believable way. This song is one of her most sung by others, and there’ve been some memorable renditions recorded in the past. I decided to create a new version of ‘Come Fare Away With Me’ to further celebrate Jean’s love and understanding of traditional song. This song could be about many of our family members who dared to risk the oceans for new homelands. I appreciate the beautiful singing my friends added to this track, and their part in creating this whimsical homemade-style video piece.”
Video Credits:
Video footage by Kate MacLeod with assistance by Paul Hammerton and David Van Deventer
Archival footage – video.net, picryl.com
Singers in pub – Meya Collings, Kate MacLeod, Paul Hammerton, Morgan Morrison
Pub scene courtesy of The Barn of Harpers Ferry, Harpers Ferry, WV
Video created by Dustin Delage
BIOS:
Kate MacLeod
Americana musician Kate MacLeod brings music to you through her original songs, instrumentals, and creative renditions of traditional and popular music. In concert, you might hear her singing a Scottish ballad, or, A Horse With No Name. Since her first recording, produced by Charles Sawtelle of Hot Rize, her songs have been recorded by other artists from California to the Czech Republic, including musicians such as Laurie Lewis and Mollie O’Brien. Kate has toured in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the U.K. She was chosen for the Best of the West Award, 2019, by the Far-West division of Folk Alliance International. In addition to her Americana/Folk music, she is a versatile composer and received the 2019 Alfred Lambourne Friends of the Great Salt Lake Award for an original violin duet. Her music is well suited for film soundtracks and has been used in a variety of documentaries. In February 2022, Kate released a collection of music inspired by the Utah region, music from out of the heart of the American West. Kate is a singer and songwriter inspired by American roots music, and an award-winning fiddle player specializing in Scottish, Irish, American Old-Time, and improvisational fiddling. She is a mountain woman, splitting her residence time between Salt Lake City, UT, and Harpers Ferry, WV.
Paul Hammerton
Paul, a native of the U.K. and former teacher, has been living in Virginia for many years, playing the American traditional music he knows and loves. As a popular self-accompanied singer and Old Time string band musician, Paul has now teamed up singing with Kate MacLeod and playing his 1950 Gibson J50 guitar, and 1917 Gibson A2 mandolin, for others to hear and enjoy.
Morgan Morrison
Morgan comes from a family of rich musical diversity and acclaim. Her Uncle was the late great John Carisi, whose jazz composition “Israel” was recorded by Miles Davis. Morgan’s Father, Uncle, Grandmother, and Mother, were all at times professional musicians, and it was from here that she got her natural musical abilities. She gained a passion for the Old-Time and Traditional Folk music in her teens, but her interests span many genres. Morgan is a founding member of Furnace Mountain String Band. She plays guitar, bouzouki, and sings.
Stephanie Thompson
Stephanie is a singer-songwriter from Baton Rouge, LA. Her song, “What Kind of Person”, was recorded by Salamander Crossing for the band’s album Bottleneck Dreams. She lives in Virginia with her husband Les Thompson, of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, where she also teaches school. Stephanie and Les play in Andrew McNights band, Beyond Borders. Stephanie sings on the choruses of this song.
SONG LYRICS
Bright is the morning and brisk is the weather
Steady the wind o’er the sweet singing sea
Proudly the tall ship a’rides in the harbor
Come fare away with me
CHORUS
Marnie, come fare away
Come fare away with me
There’s an island of dreams
Over the rolling sea
Sails at the ready, she’s bound for Newfoundland
Hasten my darling and do not delay
Trees tall and green there and fish by the millions
Come fare away with me
Leave your belongings for things do but bind us
Hemmed in the life here, it won’t do for me
Fretting and troubles, we’ll leave them behind us
There is a land that’s free
Lace on your stout shoes of good Highland leather
Bring your warm shawl and a cup for the tea
There’ll be a new life, we’ll build it together
Come fare away with me
Please, consider supporting The Jean Ritchie Experience, as well as my other projects, through Patreon.com/KateMacLeod
FOLLOW:
www.facebook.com/
www.youtube.com/macleodkate
www.twitter.com/katemacleod
www.instagram.com/macleod_k
www.reverbnation.com/
www.bandsintown.com/
BONUS VIDEO: Wintergrace
