Wordless Winter Wonderland - December 2

Tannerman · #1 December 1st, 2004, 11:48 PM

This song features an instrument that Amy and I have a personal affection: the hammered dulcimer. It adds a unique sound that is refreshing when compared to most of the popular music of today. Gloria is performed by the Appalachian Christmas Quartet... which originally consisted of only three musicians, probably making them the only three-person quartet in existence. The group did some research and came across some folks that told them there should be four members in a quartet... so they've recently added new talent to their ranks to be official in number.

Believe it or not, part of my proud family heritage is from Appalachia. According to the encyclopedia, this consists of "a partly rural, partly urbanized and industrialized region in and around the Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern U.S., extending through parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas, western Virginia, and West Virginia, through central Pennsylvania to southwestern New York." Maybe that's why I like this track so much!

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Appalachian Christmas Quartet - Gloria (2:29, 2.3 MB)
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Egg · #2 December 2nd, 2004, 07:37 AM

This song was a little slow, but if you are looking for slow Christmas music it is alright.

FernLaplante · #3 December 2nd, 2004, 01:22 PM

It's kind of cool sounding. I am picturing myself in either a field full of elves at a party or in Colonial Williamsburg. I never knew what this instrument was called and now I do. I am not sure I could do an entire album of the hammered dulcimer unless it was purely background music. An incidental instrumental, if you will. I like how it got fast at the end.

Tannerman · #4 December 2nd, 2004, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by FernLaplante

I like how it got fast at the end.

Yes, but how many stars did you rate this song? (Blatent plug to encourage use of the ratings system

)

Gonetotea · #5 December 2nd, 2004, 02:33 PM

dude

bells

dulcimers

its like a bells and dulcimers convention

which in and of itself is UN-conventional

its got that ....alternative Christmas feel...

no commercialism

reminds me of industrial 50's

not sure why

rock on dulcimers

rock.
on.

G2T

Childs · #6 December 2nd, 2004, 04:40 PM

Reminds me of Rich Mullins. Out on the plains with the moon bright, worshipping with the dulcimer.

I really like this song. Got anymore from this group?

Tannerman · #7 December 2nd, 2004, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Childs

Got anymore from this group?

I won't be featuring any more from this group during the 25 Days... trying to keep a diverse style mix. However, you can learn more and purchase their 3 available CDs via AppalachianQuartet.com. Amy and I own their first 2 albums... a 3rd just came out a few weeks ago.

Childs · #8 December 2nd, 2004, 05:14 PM

Very cool. I love their sound.

Folkerts · #9 December 2nd, 2004, 09:07 PM

Really cool - I love the dulcimer!

AmySly · #10 December 3rd, 2004, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Childs

Reminds me of Rich Mullins. Out on the plains with the moon bright, worshipping with the dulcimer.

Rich Mullins is the reason why Steve and I have an affection for the hammered dulcimer. He was the first musician I had ever known who played this instrument. I used to LOVE watching him play it at concerts. I first heard about the Appalachian Christmas Quartet from a list serve I was on of Rich Mullins fans (after his death). One of the guys, Michael Aukofer, played the hammered dulcimer with Rich over the years and he is one of the founding members of the Quartet.

FernLaplante · #11 December 3rd, 2004, 10:57 AM

I gave it 4 stars, per your plug.

Frog · #12 December 3rd, 2004, 11:12 PM

I enjoyed this one a great deal

TheProfessor101 · #13 December 8th, 2004, 10:23 PM

I can listen to background music of excellent arrangements/recording of the hammered dulcimer for hours on end. I also have a strong interest in music boxes (no, not the $5 you buy on clearance at Target), these type of music boxes:

I remember while growing up my mom having several records of Christmas music recorded from these type of music boxes. Sorry we moved from the hammered dulcimer to a music box, but that's my side-story for the day.

Now, back to your regular scheduled programming...

Dan Beach · #14 December 13th, 2004, 05:47 PM

I like the guitar... the delcimer is a close second.