The Hilltown Community Development Corporation (www.hilltowncdc.org) is a great organization here in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts — its annual Spring Festival is one of my favorite events of the year. I’ve been singing Dave Mallet’s “I Knew This Place” for a couple of decades (www.davidmallett.com). Reminds me of my family’s connection to my grandparent’s land.
Singing Dougie MacLean’s “Solid Ground” in Kip Sear’s hay field, Cummington, MA. Video and inspiration by Rose Wessel (www.threesalamanders.com).
Greg Brown’s “Just a Bum” at the Iron Horse Music Hall
in Northampton, Mass. on August 29, 2007.
Richard Shindell’s, “The Ballad of Mary Magdalene” at
the Iron Horse Music Hall on August 29, 2007.
Sarah sings Bob Franke’s “Healing in this Night” at the Iron Horse
Music Hall in Northampton, Mass. on August 29, 2007.
Sarah sings Michael Smith’s “The Dead Egyptian Blues” at the Iron
Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass. on August 29, 2007.
It’s the land that is our wisdom
It’s the land that shines us through
It’s the land that feeds our children
It’s the land, you cannot own the land, the land owns you.
(from Solid Ground by Dougie MacLean)
photo by Rose Wessel
“With her vast and unusual repertoire, Sarah spins a story into a lyrical web of sound that she wraps ever so gently around the listener, moving and changing them. Her presence is as compelling as her performances are unforgettable, awakening the heart and mind of those lucky enough to hear her remarkable song interpretations. She’s my favorite local singer. – Penny Schulz
“Her singing is soulful and deeply felt; when she began to sing I felt the mood in the whole room change.”
“I haven’t fall so much in love with a singer since I first heard Kate Bush.”
“My CD player has become a Sarah Stockwell jukebox. I just can’t get enough of her!”
“Eroticism, grace and a deep, loving sensuality are brought to every note.”
You can buy Dark of Moon online at cdBaby or iTunes.
Reviews:
“Too often albums are merely strings of songs with little thematic link. But these 12 exquisitely chosen ballads create a spiritual journey through the human soul, with affecting images of darkness and light, strength and weakness, evil plenty of humor.” (three star rating)
–Bruce Sylvester, The Boston Phoenix
“Most of the well-known songs take on new colors and nuances in her performance. I felt like I was hearing Gorka’s “Raven in the Storm” for the first time. Bob Franke owes Stockwell a great debt for her haunting interpretation of his “I But a Little Girl.” Few, if any, others have tackled this powerfully chilling epic.”
–Rich Warren, Sing Out Magazine
“In an era when every guitarist tries to be a songwriter, Sarah Stockwell’s debut album “Dark of Moon” comes as a relief: finally, a young folk singer who interprets other writer’s work… finesses some wonderful songs… and she brings a brooding power to Bob Franke’s “I But a Little Girl” that the original only hinted at.”
–Daniel Gewertz, The Folk Almanac
“I love these versions of my songs — there is so much mood to this whole record.”
–Michael Smith
Song List:
(click to listen)
Food, water, shelter, warmth.
To create, to learn, to love,
to wonder.
To engage with nature and
the cycles of life.
These are things we need.
We can have a rich life
and still preserve
our home on this Earth.