Thornhill Road Blog

Playing the Livermore Games with Ed Johnson and Preston Carter

Thornhill Road played the Livermore Scottish Games and Celtic Celebration and were joined by jazz guitarist Ed Johnson and bassist Preston Carter. We had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh and enjoyed listening to their rhythmic guitar and tight vocal harmonies. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Scottish and Celtic fest without some traditional pup songs by Peter Daldry and Neil O'Neill. As the day wore on and more beer was consumed, we also found ourselves in a philosophical discussion with Celtic rocker Michael Mullen of Tempest on transitioning from classical to traditional fiddling.

Featured on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

Thornhill Road is featured on Marc Gunn's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. This podcast includes music from Maidens VI, Wicked Tinkers, An Triur, Bruno's Boys, Ellis Island, Kennedy's Kitchen, and Bleeding Irish. Check out http://www.celticmusicpodcast.com for more information or to subscribe to one of the top-rated podcasts on the web.

December Recording Session

The band went into the recording studio again last week to put down guitar tracks for two new pieces. Working with Joe Weed at Highland Studios is always a great experience.

Valerie and Heather Do a Test Shoot for the Album Cover

Photo by Thomas Washburn

Mark is missing from the photo, but this the the setting and style we're going for.

New Demo Recordings

We've been in the studio recently, and we're proud to share with you two brand-new, just-mixed recordings.

Mhaire Bhruinneal & Dunmore Lassies
Sung in Irish, this song tells of a man who falls in love and the woman who breaks his heart. It is followed by a driving reel.

Far Away in Australia
Every now and then an Irish song has a happy ending. This one tells the story of a man who must leave his wife to find fortune in a far away land. After waiting every day for word from her husband, he finally sends for her to join him in Australia.

Visit our music page for more demo tracks!

Heather and Valerie Play Redwood City's Fox Theater

Every year Valerie and Heather of Thornhill Road volunteer their time and talents to the Gryphon Carolers. The 40-member group performs Christmas and holiday songs and instrumental works ranging from traditional and contemporary takes on Celtic music, modern jazz vocal arrangements set in Brazilian and Latin styles, and original songs and compositions. The carolers tour nursing homes throughout December and then perform a dazzling show.

Heather playing piano at Redwood City's Fox Theater with the Gryphon Carollers

Valerie playing fiddle at Redwood City's Fox Theater witht he Gryphon Carollers

Thornhill Road Records with Piper David Brewer

Thornhill Road recently joined with David Brewer to record two tracks on his album "Living Tradition." The album includes David's self-penned tunes in the Celtic style, played on whistle, fiddle, Highland Bagpipes, Border Pipes, small pipes, and uilleann pipes with accompaniment on guitar, bouzouki, piano, harp, oboe, and cello. David is a prolific writer of tunes some of which are in the live and recorded repertoire of Molly's Revenge. Thornhill Road contributed two songs featuring the blending voices of Valerie and Heather and Mark's gentle guitar.

[Listen to a Sample Track] - [Buy the Album through CD Baby]

Wedding in Cazadero, CA

Reception

Ceremony under the redwoods

Mark's honeymoon in Ireland

Mark waiting for Dervish during his honeymoon in Ireland.

Wedding in Grass Valley, CA

Heather and Valerie played the music for the ceremony with guitarist Benita Kenn

St. Patrick's Day at Rosie McCann's

St. Patrick's Day performance at Rosie McCann's. Photos by Frank Anzalone

Maila's drawing

Drawing of Thornhill Road created by Maila, a charming and enthusiastic young audience member.

At San Mateo Farmer's Market

Entertaining kids and parents alike at the San Mateo Farmer's Market.

Loch Lomond Celtic Festival

Valerie & Heather perform at the Loch Lomond Celtic Festival with their acappella group

Valerie Rose releases solo CD

"Rose's pure, sweet voice should please fans of Annie Haslam, Maddy Prior, or Sandy Denny. An auspicious debut."
Larry Nai, Progression: The Quarterly Journal of Progressive Music

"Valerie Rose is a fresh, exciting performer...give Petals of Stone a try, and you'll be eagerly awaiting her next album, too...a potent musical package!"
Tom Knapp, Rambles: A Cultural Arts Magazine

"Valerie is a phenomenal vocal talent...Her voice is lucid and moving, her fiddling is sultry and strong."
Chris Caswell

"With innovative arrangements of traditional material, Valerie's new CD, Petals of Stone, is bursting with passion and fire."
Lief Sorbye of Tempest

"Valerie has the voice of an angel and clearly one who is not afraid of electricity. That makes her more rare than a vintage Tele."
George Maida, The Electric Croude, WCVE 88.9 FM, Richmond, VA

"I liked it! I'm struck by the 21st Century dark-pop rendering of familiar anglo-celt folk songs."
Kevin Vance, KALW Radio, San Francisco/KPFA, Berkeley

"Love the voice...reminiscent of Jacqui McShee."
Len Holton, From Albion And Beyond, KUAR,
Little Rock, AK

Listen and buy at cdbaby.com