The newest album from the Michigan-based, Celtic and world-music ensemble An Dro is steeped in the sounds of Michigan. Home videos and recordings of forest birds, wind and waves served as inspiration for the thirteen original works by An Dro founding member James Spalink on the album, which is titled The Music of James Spalink.
In instrumentals such as "The Sparrow," the guitar melody echoes that of the white-throated sparrow, which Spalink recorded while camping on Isle Royale. Another piece fades in with the sounds of waves recorded at Scoville Point, Isle Royale.
Carolyn Koebel says one thing that sets this latest album apart from the band's past six albums is the added arrangements, which required an array of guest musicians. Spalink arranged parts for violin, viola, cello, bass, trumpet, french horn, uillean pipes, accordion, whistle and voice. Some players came from the world of classical music, including faculty members of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College.
An Dro will celebrate the release of The Music of James Spalink with a concertat the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday, October 10 at 8 pm.