Sunday, January 2, 2011

Alison Krauss and Yo Yo Ma: "The Wexford Carol"

Murphy's Law has struck on the very first day of the new year!  It turned extremely cold and guess what--the gas heater in my studio stopped working!  Of course it's a holiday weekend, so we won't even be able to contact a repairman until Monday.  So I won't be spending much time painting for awhile.  I'm busy, though, designing a long overdue new website which my son (bless him) is developing for me.  I'm really excited about it.

Meanwhile, for your listening pleasure, I happened across this fantastic rendition of "The Wexford Carol".  I know it's a little behind the times to be posting a Christmas carol now, but I think you'll forgive me when you listen to this.  It's a duet by singer Alison Krauss and cellist Yo Yo Ma, backed up by Cristina Pato on bagpipes, Shane Shanahan on percussion and Natalie MacMaster on violin.  Enjoy.

18 comments:

Dean H. said...

Congratulations on you upcoming website,Don.

That's a bummer about your heater.

Alison Krauss is one of my favorites. The accompaniment was beautiful! Thanks for posting this song.

Happy New Year.

Sheila Vaughan said...

Sorry I can't hear the christmas carol Don. Never mind, there's worse things up at t'mill.
Well, fancy this - I too have been spending the past couple of weeks (and more) building a new web site. In fact am hoping to launch it pretty soon! I never imagined it would be so much work but I'm pleased with the result. All the best! Look forward to the results of all our efforts! (by the way, keep warm)

Marilyn Flanegan said...

pure joy.
I've not heard/seen this rendition, thanks Don.
One of my most memorable birthdays was seeing Alison Krauss and Union Station play at the Backyard Amphitheater outside of Austin, TX.
Looking forward to your new website!

martha miller said...

Looking forward to seeing your new site! Happy New Year, Don!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for extending Christmas with that fine music. I had a better heating outcome Friday. Set to leave on a bus trip to Vancouver BC from Tacoma to see a rarely visited friend. Smelled like the furnace was catching fire. Frantically calling for repair on a holiday weekend. The first company we called had a man three blocks away who fixed the furnace in about 20 minutes, and my sister and I were in a taxi to Greyhound and away to play.
I like this New Year. -Suzee

Don Gray said...

Hi Dean--nice to hear from you and thanks. Hope 2011 is a great, creative year for you.

Don Gray said...

Congratulations on your new website to be, Sheila--I can't wait to see it. You're right, it's a lot of work, which is why I'm long overdue getting mine updated. I'm sure we'll be glad when we're done, though. Happy painting in 2011!

Don Gray said...

I'm envious, Marilyn--would love to see Alison in person. Best to you in 2011.

Don Gray said...

Thanks Martha--happy artmaking in the new year!

Don Gray said...

Hey Suzee--I like your story way better than mine! :^) Good Karma.

Anonymous said...

i hope this website stays up and running Don... it's part of my routine to check out your blog! hey, that video is forbidden in Scotland!!

Don Gray said...

Forbidden in Scotland? Why?

Anonymous said...

well maybe i exaggerated a little... ok so i exaggerated quite a bit. but it still doesn't change the fact that in Scotland i can#t open and listen to that video;)

Don Gray said...

OK Rahina, I had a feeling you were being a little dramatic! :) I posted a link to Alison on your blog--try that.

shirley fachilla said...

Thanks for the carol. Alison Krauss has the most beautiful of voices.

Don Gray said...

You're welcome, Shirley. I was happy to be able to share the video.

lochinvarwelsh said...

Loved the video Don. Thank you for posting. I shared it with my friend, Robert, who is plays the pipes. He said the piper wasn't using the GHP and wondered if they were Welsh or Irish pipes perhaps? (Only one drone on the pipes in the video) Such interesting stuff. Could Allison's voice be any more beautiful?

Don Gray said...

How interesting, Lochinvarwelsh. I know nothing about bagpipes but now I hear the difference. Yes, Alison's voice is so extraordinary. Thanks for your note.