Lydia McCauley documented folk music at the Appalachian Music Archive in Berea, Kentucky in the early 1980's and studied with some of the best folk musicians in the Appalachian region. Known today as a songwriter, McCauley returns to her roots in her fifth album, ForeignLander; a collection of innovatively arranged pieces from 17-20th Century British Isles and Appalachia, beautifully performed by McCauley and her Ensemble, along with special guests. While careful to preserve Appalachian traditions, Lydia creates a fresh sound that pleases both traditional and progressive music audiences. Includes an original instrumental - "Swallow's Return" composed by McCauley.

"Laced with medieval, Celtic, and Appalachian tones, her songs are best described as intoxicating, making a lissome journey through the past via the textured sounds of the ensemble's recorders, flutes, viola, pennywhistle, and mandolin. Beyond musical technique, McCauley's lyrics betray a poet's sensibility, good enough to earn Madeleine L'Engle's glowing praise: "I wouldn't have missed this for anything. The words were must as good as the music."
-Luci Shaw, Image Journal

"Music for independent minds that are looking for something refreshingly different."
-Chuck Robinson, President, American Bookseller's Association

"Lyrical magic that will uplift the spirits...exceptional instrumental tracks that will haunt your mind and transport you back in time..."
-Nicky Rossiter, South East Radio, Ireland

"A well known artist in the Celtic and New Age worlds, this album takes a slight detour as Lydia McCauley takes traditional Appalachian melodies and works her magic on them. The simplicity of the songs makes them a perfect fit for Lydia's style. Adding classical, jazz, Celtic and world music elements to these tracks gives them new life and new passion, which Lydia hopes will help them travel a little further and be passed down once again."
-Goldenrod Music

1. One Morning In May
2. Swallow's Return
3. Pretty Saro
4. The Cuckoo
5. Barbara Allan
6. Stella
7. The River Trilogy
8. I Will Give My Love An Apple
9. Softly And Tenderly
10. ForeignLander
11. Soldier Boy
12. Lover's Lament

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 8/7/2011
Lydia McCauley lives in Washington USA

Tagged as: New Age, Folk

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