Woodsongs 2 - 9780965515436

Description: WoodSongs 2 is the second volume of short stories, poems, music, photos and recipes from folksinger/songwriter Michael Johnathon. Included is Michael's full length, 16 song Homestead CD featuring bluegrass greats Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, J. D. Crowe, Rob Ickes, Don Rigsby, Michael Cleveland, John Cowan, J. P. Pennington and Homer Ledford. Michael Johnathon is a consummate musician, a singer and songwriter and author with something to say. In this case, the theme revolves around home, with stories and songs composed in the glow of Johnathon's Kentucky farmhouse fireplace. After the reflective "Winter's Eve," the album launches into "The Homestead Suite" with Sunrise (Jenny's Theme), Homestead and Suppertime. The album's title cut, "Homestead," tells a story of a peaceful autumn evening at home in woods, complete with music, family, homemade bread and a glass of wine. The song even makes mention of a couple of the assisting musicians, Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle) and J.D. Crowe (banjo). Some others appearing on this album include Rob Ickes (dobro), Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Mike Cleveland (fiddle), Barbara Lamb (fiddle), John Cowan (bass), and Don Rigsby (mandolin). Johnathon's seventh album also features some cello, flutes, percussion, French horns, flugelhorns, trumpets, sitar, electric guitar and jaw harp on various cuts. The result is a nicely-arranged, multi-instrumental patchwork of tones and rhythms that resemble a cozy quilt that warms you while you relax in your old rocking chair. The WoodSongs 2 book is a wonderful companion to the CD, full of true stories about the heart and courage it takes to be an artist, how the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour came to be, and insight into Michael's life as a folksinger/songwriter. There's also some great recipes! A great Sunday afternoon read.