Review and More

Our Review

The father-daughter duo of Craig and Kara Markley is an extra-special delight; the two make the most amazing Celtic/folk music together. Once Upon a Winter Moon is a rich tapestry, from the elegant cover art to the drop-dead gorgeous content. This is an amazing CD on so many levels. The instrumentation is diverse, richly textured, and bursting with a joy. Four of the 12 pieces are breath-taking instrumentals. On the vocal numbers, Kara Markley's voice is remarkably warm, welcoming, confident, sweet, and brimming with passion. Finally, the Markleys are gifted songwriters--daddy Craig contributes three fine tracks and daughter Kara provides one more. What an incredible package!

Putting this album on your audio system is akin to opening a treasure chest; jewel after jewel tumbles out. The 12 tracks all shine, though most will be unfamiliar to the average listener (the extensive liner notes provide very helpful lyrics and comments). It is somewhat unfair to hang the Celtic label on the Markleys' sound; the music reaches further and deeper than that. For example, "Lay Down the Burden" has a definite country sentiment, ending with the most excellent a cappella harmonies. The opening "Once Upon a Winter Moon/Gaudette" has mesmerizing rhythms, exquisite vocals, and an exotic feel. The haunting "Evening Song" has tremendous lyrics and a melody that stayed with me long after the song had ended.

Best of all, however, is Craig Markley's absolutely wonderful "Christmas Day Is Here," sung by his extremely talented, now-grown-up "little girl." What a jubilant, well-written piece! Kara tells the story of being wide awake at 6 AM on Christmas Day--"So I get out of bed and give a big cheer, Christmas day is here!" You follow her through the Christmas morning experience; in the end, she celebrates "Christmas day is here, Christmas day all year." Kara's voice is innocent and exuberant. I replayed the song five times the first time I heard it and will remember it for many Christmases to come.

The Markleys' Once Upon a Winter Moon put a huge smile on my face from start to finish. So sweet! Thank you, father and daughter, for an exquisite holiday package that will have Celtic/folk aficionados everywhere giving a "big cheer"!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

More

From the liner notes:

Musicians:

Craig Markley: Whistles, Piano, Keyboards, Chalumeau, Accordions, Vocals, Uilleann Pipes, Hammered Dulcimer, Duduk, and Miscellaneous Percussion

Kara Markey: Vocal, Fiddle, Flute, Harp, Percussion

With:
Beckie Boger, Pete Cary, Deborah Colón, Karl Colón, Elizabeth Demorest, Michael Douce, Hilda Doyle, Heather Doyle-Fraser, Stephanie Doyle-Kephart, Kay Harris, Robb Jarrett, Sid Omasta, Molly Pauken, David Reddick

Produced and engineered by Craig Markley

All arrangements by Craig and Kara Markley, except "The Evening Song" arranged by Craig, Kara and Michael Douce; viola arrangement on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Deborah Colón.

From the Web site:

Craig and his daughter, Kara have been performing together since Kara was old enough to hold a violin. They specialize in playing traditional Celtic, World and original music, and perform throughout Ohio and the surrounding states.

Featuring a blend of original compositions and unique arrangements of traditional songs, this new recording promises to be a winter listening classic. Craig and Kara, along with some of the finest musicians in the area, have created a World/Celtic music CD with some very diverse instrumentation.

Craig and Kara Markley

Once Upon a Winter Moon

Order from Amazon

Track List