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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
A collection of mesmerising traditional music and singalong songs researched and created especially for children by Dr. Thomas Johnston. Filled with seasonal story-based songs and memorable characters, and featuring a host of renowned musicians.
“… a perfect introduction to Irish traditional music for little ones”
Sara Keating, The Irish Times
“an expertly crafted body of songs and tunes… pristine… evocative… clever… captivating”
Ruth Smith, RTÉ Radio 1
Every winter in Whistleberry Forest, a little robin comes to visit and grants the creatures of the forest their very own wish - they can wish for whatever they want! From dripping icicles to gentle snowfall, the delight of skating on an icy river or flying high on a moonlit night, discover Whistleberry Forest in this mesmerising album of tradiitonal music and singalong songs created especially for children.
Featuring a host of renowned musicians including Thomas Johnston (whistles, vocals, shruti), Samantha Harvey (keyboard), Seán McElwain (guitar), Stephen Markham (sound design), Síle Denvir (harp), and Trevor Hutchinson (bass)
Produced by Ceol Connected with the support of Arts Council Ireland.
Includes unlimited streaming of A Winter Wish
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
"... a wonderful collection of seasonal story-based songs, filled with memorable characters, like Sorley the snail and Faoiláin the frog. This is a perfect introduction to Irish traditional music for little ones."
Sara Keating, The Irish Times
"... a magical collection of music by Dr Thomas Johnston, created with pristine production values, evocative soundscapes and a roll-call of high calibre musicians, namely Samantha Harvey (keyboard), Seán McElwain (guitar), Síle Denvir (harp), Stephen Markham (sound design), and Trevor Hutchinson (bass). The whole project is imbued with an air of investigation and respect for the young listener. There is no sense of this being the type of generic or electronically generated music for small ones that we so often encounter. A Winter Wish is an expertly crafted body of songs and tunes combining the clever use of repetition, action words and playful onomatopoeia & alliteration. In the hands of Dr. Johnston, a highly respected musician, composer and academic, the music retains all of its traditional integrity whilst creating a world that is both palatable and captivating for the young listener."
Ruth Smith, RTÉ Radio One
(1) A Winter Wish / The Wexford Carol (Thomas Johnston, IMRO / Trad Arr.)
Every Winter, Róisín the robin visits Whistleberry Forest to grant Ornaith the owl, Sorley the snail, and Faoiláin the frog their very own wish. As the creatures each sing their magic words, the forest is transformed before their eyes into an enchanting wintry wonderland.
(2) In the Winter Forest (Thomas Johnston, IMRO)
What will you find as you make your way through Whistleberry Forest? Watch out for pinecones high up in trees, a cold and icy river, feathers floating to the ground, and even so and fluffy snow.
(3) Gentle Snow (Thomas Johnston, IMRO)
Sorley the snail peeps from his shell and wishes for gentle snow to fall from the sky and tickle his nose. In this soothing song, join Sorley as he patiently waits for the snowy clouds to blow from the east and gather high above the trees.
(4) Snow Capped Mountain (Trad Arr.)
Sorley’s wish has come true and snowflakes begin to gently fall over Whistleberry Forest. This joyful and triumphant march captures Sorley’s delight as the snow begins to billow and swirl all around.
(5) It's Getting Icy (Thomas Johnston, IMRO)
Faoiláin the funky frog wishes that his pond will freeze over so that he can have one last dance before he goes to sleep for the winter. It’s not long before the frost begins to descend and icicles start to drip and drop in this irresistibly groovy anthem.
(6) Slipping and Sliding (Thomas Johnston, IMRO)
Get ready to slip and slide with Faoiláin the frog in this rousing set of toe-tapping, hip-shaking, ice-skating polkas.
(7) Flying through the Night (Thomas Johnston, IMRO)
Darkness has fallen over the land of the trees. As Ornaith the owl glides through the trees, she wishes that the moon will emerge from behind the clouds and shine down to brightly light her path. Sing along with Ornaith so that her winter wish will come true.
credits
released December 1, 2018
Recorded at Marguerite Studios, Dublin
Engineered and mixed by Trevor Hutchinson
Mastered by Richard Dowling at WAV Mastering
Cover and inside illustration by Eva Byrne (evabyrneart.com)
Design by Brainstorm (brainstorm.ie)
All tracks composed and arranged by Thomas Johnston except Tr. 4 (Trad. arr.)
Produced by Ceol Connected
For booking, contact Thomas Johnston at info@ceolconnected.ie
This album was made possible by Deis Recording and Publication Award from the Arts Council
HI,The first track and sound I heard was enough for me to get whole album Raw honest,goose bumps live sound, fantastic reels ,to dance Sean nos. Dave Suffolk Uk ps if have,listen on a blue tooth speaker ,this is even more amazing.pps Have listen more ofCormac music and feel the instrument when played becomes a living entity . 13844
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