HISTORY TRACKS Part One:

“Wilderness Road” “Some of these tales are well-known; some not-so… some feature real-life characters who were born or lived in Vermont or made their mark as they passed through; others are stand-ins for a race, a trade, an infantry division or a community. The stories caught my ear in much the same way that old ballads have and seemed to be asking for musical release from their dusty library shelves. For me, a life-long Vermonter, they deepen my love for the place I am so lucky to call home, and strengthen my belief in the power of history to share so many of the truest lessons we’ll ever need to hear. It’s an honor to have enlisted some of my local heroes to sing my work on this project. Whether you are a ‘woodchuck’, a recent transplant, a ‘flatlander’ or visitor I hope the songs bring an excitement for the intensely colorful history of this little corner of the world.”

HISTORY TRACKS Part Two: “Farmland”

“....And here are some of my personal favorites from the songs I’ve made up with young Vermonters over a dozen years’ work. It’s always been a gift to me to sit with the kids, to listen and tell stories to each other, and to discover what words they’d choose to re-tell them. Our continuing touchstone is the traditional ballad, and my classroom writing style is ‘a la collage’: I include as many perspectives as I can, and in the finished lyrics you still get to hear a lot of words and phrases just as they rolled from young brain to paper. Ranging from 1st grade to 8th and from rural to suburban, these folks have been my research team, staff writers, editors, focus groups and friends. A truckload of gratitude to them, to these fine young collaborators and their always gung-ho teachers AND to the fine young singers who lent their voices to the choruses… I remember them all proudly and fondly when I sing our work.”

"Poor Man's Dream," Pete’s debut solo album, was released in 1984 and combined traditional fiddle tunes with original material. From classic trad tunes Pete revived, like “Coleman’s March”, to heartfelt original songs like “Aunt Sue”, this album is a fine quilt of music, meticulously crafted.

"Poor Man's Dream," Pete’s debut solo album, was released in 1984 and combined traditional fiddle tunes with original material. From classic trad tunes Pete revived, like “Coleman’s March”, to heartfelt original songs like “Aunt Sue”, this album is a fine quilt of music, meticulously crafted.

Tradition and experimentation was Pete’s thesis for Mountain Hornpipe, released in 1989. You’ll find some unusual mixes of sounds, from the expected fiddle, guitar and banjo, to hand drums, synthesizer, Uilleann pipes , flutes and Martin Simpson playing some electric guitar. There’s some wild material to be found on this album. A bunch of great old time tunes with some cool and intriguing soundscapes! 

Tradition and experimentation was Pete’s thesis for Mountain Hornpipe, released in 1989. You’ll find some unusual mixes of sounds, from the expected fiddle, guitar and banjo, to hand drums, synthesizer, Uilleann pipes , flutes and Martin Simpson playing some electric guitar. There’s some wild material to be found on this album. A bunch of great old time tunes with some cool and intriguing soundscapes! 

The old time dance music and songs of the American southern mountains, New England and the Celtic isles are resurrected on “Streak O’Lean”. The album has a stripped down, beautifully raw feel to it. Accompanied by the guitar wizardry of Colin McCaffrey on few tracks, and just solo fiddle and voice on some, the subtle shadings, ornaments, double stops and variations in Pete’s fiddling shine through in this masterful work.

The old time dance music and songs of the American southern mountains, New England and the Celtic isles are resurrected on “Streak O’Lean”. The album has a stripped down, beautifully raw feel to it. Accompanied by the guitar wizardry of Colin McCaffrey on few tracks, and then just solo fiddle and voice on some, the subtle shadings, ornaments, double stops and variations in Pete’s fiddling shine through in this masterful work.

With “A Clayfoot’s Tale”, Pete underscores a collection of thoughtful original lyrics with his painterly eye for detail and a keen, loving ear for deep folk roots. With 23 guest musicians and lush arrangements, each track is a track is a treasure for the listener’s ear to enjoy.

With “A Clayfoot’s Tale”, Pete underscores a collection of thoughtful original lyrics with his painterly eye for detail and a keen, loving ear for deep folk roots. With 23 guest musicians and lush arrangements, each track is a track is a treasure for the listener’s ear to enjoy.

“A number there tales are well-known; some not-so… some feature real-life characters who were born or lived in Vermont or made their mark as they passed through; others are stand-ins for a race, a trade, an infantry division or a community. The stories caught my ear in much the same way that old ballads have and seemed to be asking for musical release from their dusty library shelves. For me, a life-long Vermonter, they deepen my love for the place I am so lucky to call home, and strengthen my belief in the power of history to share so many of the truest lessons we’ll ever need to hera. Whether you are a ‘woodchuck’, a recent transplant, a ‘flatlander’ or visitor I hope they bring an excitement for the intensely colorful history of this little corner of the world.”
- Pete Sutherland, Monkton VT, May 2008

“A number there tales are well-known; some not-so… some feature real-life characters who were born or lived in Vermont or made their mark as they passed through; others are stand-ins for a race, a trade, an infantry division or a community. The stories caught my ear in much the same way that old ballads have and seemed to be asking for musical release from their dusty library shelves. For me, a life-long Vermonter, they deepen my love for the place I am so lucky to call home, and strengthen my belief in the power of history to share so many of the truest lessons we’ll ever need to hera. Whether you are a ‘woodchuck’, a recent transplant, a ‘flatlander’ or visitor I hope they bring an excitement for the intensely colorful history of this little corner of the world.”
- Pete Sutherland, Monkton VT, May 2008

“Welcome to “Farmland”. Here are some of my personal favorites from the songs I’ve made up with young Vermonters over the last dozen years. It’s always been a gift to me to sit with the kids, to listen and tell stories to each other, and to discover what words they’d choose to re-tell them. Our continuing touchstone is the traditional ballad, and my classroom writing style is ‘a la collage’: I include as many perspectives as I can, and in the finished lyrics you still get to hear a lot of words and phrases just as they rolled from young brain to paper. Ranging from 1st grade to 8th and from rural to suburban, these folks have been my research team, staff writers, editors, focus groups and friends. A truckload of gratitude to them, to these fine young collaborators and their always gung-ho teachers… I remember them all proudly and fondly when I sing our work.”
- Pete Sutherland, Vermont, 2013

“Welcome to “Farmland”. Here are some of my personal favorites from the songs I’ve made up with young Vermonters over the last dozen years. It’s always been a gift to me to sit with the kids, to listen and tell stories to each other, and to discover what words they’d choose to re-tell them. Our continuing touchstone is the traditional ballad, and my classroom writing style is ‘a la collage’: I include as many perspectives as I can, and in the finished lyrics you still get to hear a lot of words and phrases just as they rolled from young brain to paper. Ranging from 1st grade to 8th and from rural to suburban, these folks have been my research team, staff writers, editors, focus groups and friends. A truckload of gratitude to them, to these fine young collaborators and their always gung-ho teachers… I remember them all proudly and fondly when I sing our work.”
- Pete Sutherland, Vermont, 2013

Released in 2014, "The Pond Jam" is Oliver’s first solo album, featuring a collection of tunes in the traditional style, many of them originals. Scanlon's smooth fiddle and 'grassy' mandolin picking lead the way, but he has ample support from members of the Posse and the Irregulars as well as local Bluegrass pickers, long-distance guests David Surette and Grey Larsen and more. From the unstoppable drive of the ancient "Money Musk" to the gentle swing of his own "Joan's Waltz", the CD hits a wide variety of moods. Scanlon also takes a turn as singer and songwriter on "Power to Be Reckoned With" and leads a family gospel quartet through "Gonna be Movin'" to close out the album. 

Released in 2014, "The Pond Jam" is Oliver’s first solo album, featuring a collection of tunes in the traditional style, many of them originals. Scanlon's smooth fiddle and 'grassy' mandolin picking lead the way, but he has ample support from members of the Posse and the Irregulars as well as local Bluegrass pickers, long-distance guests David Surette and Grey Larsen and more. From the unstoppable drive of the ancient "Money Musk" to the gentle swing of his own "Joan's Waltz", the CD hits a wide variety of moods. Scanlon also takes a turn as singer and songwriter on "Power to Be Reckoned With" and leads a family gospel quartet through "Gonna be Movin'" to close out the album. 

The Birds' Flight is the culmination of several years' worth of collaboration between Tim Cummings (pipes), Pete Sutherland (fiddle, song), and Brad Kolodner (banjo). Traditional and otherwise familiar Scottish pipe tunes were handpicked and re-imagined to become compelling, authentic-sounding Old-Time/Appalachian-style hoedowns and waltzes. ...Or perhaps that's not at all what happened, and these are in fact genuinely traditional Old-Time tunes that, like much of the established repertoire, naturally possess Scottish DNA, but are only just now resurfacing after more than a century of dormancy. The truth is sometimes murky; but the tunes, songs, and performances featured in this collection are anything but!

The Birds' Flight has been featured on both NPR's 'Thistle & Shamrock' and BBC Radio Scotland's 'Pipeline'.

A Pete Sutherland Originals Waltz Collection