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Our Review

Itinerant means to travel from place to place, and The Itinerant Band is a superb group of seven wandering minstrels presenting early music carols and winter-themed music from the 16th to 19th centuries on Apples in Winter. This group hails from Virginia, where they regularly regale crowds of well-satisfied visitors to the Francis Land House (Virginia Beach). Ah, I wish I could attend one of The Itinerant Band's Twelfth Night performances there; these were the inspiration for this release.

Apples in Winter nicely blends instrumentals with vocal pieces, and mixes upbeat dance numbers (such as the lively opener Christmas Day Ida Mornin'/Masters in This Hall/In Dulci Jubilo with gentle songs of contemplation (such as Auld Lang Syne). The album comes with an excellent pamphlet that spells out helpful background for each cut; the group's website (www.itinerantband.com) supplies the full lyrics and additional notes. All of the music is well done, but I especially enjoyed the excellent vocal harmonies and instrumental tapestries on the Coventry Carol/Christ Child's Lullaby medley.

This is a lovely album that will appeal to those who favor the robust, yet intensely charming, flavors of early music ensembles. Bring Apples in Winter into your home this season, and the sweet fruit will bring your family much pleasure!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

The Itinerant Band:
George Barne: guitar, banjo, vocals
Paul Brockman: fiddle, octave mandolin, vocals
Bob Clark: hammered dulcimer, vocals
Susan Lawlor: flutes, whistle, recorders, bowed psaltery, vocals
Dave McNew: lap duclimer, bodhran, hurdy-gurdy, vocals
Mary Normand: harp, vocals
Marsha Wallace: guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, lap dulcimer, vocals

Recorded, engineered, & mixed by Blake Wallace, Indigo Studios, Norfolk, VA
Produced by The Itinerant Band

Inspiration for this collection of songs and tunes came from our Twelfth Night performances at the Francis Land House. This post-revolution era historic home is part of the City of Virginia Beach Department of Museums and sponsors educational events, workshops, and tours throughout the year.

The Itinerant Band

Apples in Winter

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Track List