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Peat & Barley is Bill Mitchell on hammered dulcimer and Becky Ross on fiddle and occasionally on hammered dulcimer. They are a Celtic duo based in the Washington D.C. area whose performances have delighted audiences throughout Maryland, Virginia and D.C. Their new CD, "On the Brink," features Celtic and original tunes ranging in mood from darkly mysterious to playfully lighthearted and includes toe-tapping jigs and reels as well as lyrical airs and waltzes. Peat & Barley's intimate arrangements highlight the interplay between the hammered dulcimer and fiddle - each contributing structure and melody in turn. Bill has played the hammered dulcimer since 1992 and was inspired to play from his first experience of hearing a hammered dulcimer. He is a self-taught player and is particularly noted for his strong accompaniment skills. Bill's playing incorporates the full range of his hammered dulcimer from the shimmering sparkle of the highest treble notes to the depth and power of the lowest bass notes. Bill plays a D600 Dusty Strings hammered dulcimer; this model's 4-octave range includes an extra range of bass strings that he uses in his accompaniments to add power and drama to our Peat & Barley arrangements. Becky was classically trained on violin during her schooldays but was drawn to begin playing again in 1991 after discovering Celtic fiddle music. Her playing is known for her rich tone and sensitive emotional connection to the music, whether that is a sorrowful Scottish lament, a majestic march or a driving reel. Becky plays a violin made by John Schmidt of Columbia, Maryland. This is a new instrument, first strung in Autumn of 2001 and adds a warm resonance to her playing. Bill and Becky have been playing together as Peat & Barley since 1996 and recorded their first album, "Reflections on Big Moose Lake," in 1998 (out of print). In addition to their performances as Peat & Barley, they also perform as members of the Celtic group The Homespun Ceilidh Band, whose first CD, "Spinning Reels" was released in March, 2002 (also available on CD Baby), and the Scottish group Circle of Friends. They are longtime active members of the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club, a non-profit group promoting Scottish fiddle music. Becky also plays regularly for Scottish and English Country Dances in the D.C. area. Check out the artist's website: http://www.PeatAndBarley.com Track List: 1. Prince Charles 2. Miss Spence's Reel/Sleep Soond ida Moarnin/Willafjord 3. Harper's Waltz 4. Rakes of Mallow 5. Haste to the Wedding / Swallowtail Jig / Blackthorn Stick 6. Wantoness Forever / Tae Dauton Me / The Auld Man's Mare's Dead/ 7. Covewood 8. Holborn March / Mairi's Wedding 9. Wedding in Ennis 10. Tam Lin 11. Poached Pork Chops / Spootiskerry / The Easy Club Reel 12. Bonnie at Morn 13. Flowers of Edinburgh / Jackie Tar / Off to Livermore Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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