Since our first performance at Canal Street Tavern's open stage in Dayton, Ohio, back in November, 1985, we have been working towards this CD, a work in progress.
In addition to finding our favorites from Sweetwater's first four cassettes,
"Flavored with...Sweetwater"(1986),"Heather Romp"(1988),"Straight from the Heart" (1990) and "Christmas on the Farm" (1990), you will also find three of the newest Sweetwater favorites...
The Auction (a Cindy Funk original), Crossing the Water (from Bill Staines), and Shelley's Ragtime Medley.
We have re-recorded some of our favorites that have changed over the years and remastered the entire collection into a really fun collage of us! Oh, speaking of collage . . .
. . . check out the cool one (Cindy's creation) of vintage Sweetwater pics on the back of the liner notes.
The Story
SWEETWATER is a gathering of three women from Ohio who, since 1985, have captured the hearts of audiences with the pure power of voices blended in harmony, with diverse instrumental work on traditional instruments and warm interaction with the audience.
SWEETWATER'S members, Cindy Funk, Shelley Stevens, and Shari Wolf became acquainted through their shared interest in the mountain dulcimer. It soon became evident that their vocal blend was something special and that they all had a loving respect for the folk music of America and of other cultures. Soon, ideas were exchanged, additional instrumentation was experimented with, best-loved tunes were chosen and SWEETWATER emerged, spread it's wings and went on the road.
Since that day, SWEETWATER has performed for audiences from the midwest to the Pacific Northwest, here in the U.S. and also toured Ireland and the British Isles.
With eight recordings on their own TWEETWATER PRODUCTIONS label, several projects assisting other musicians, and our latest collaboration with author, Sharyn McCrumb, SWEETWATER'S recorded works encompass American traditional and contemporary, Celtic traditional and contemporary, and country music genres. And, don't forget the humor that the audience loves.
Whenever SWEETWATER has performed, they have won the affection of their audiences for many reasons, but largely for the fact that they have such fun while entertaining and want their audiences to enjoy the time they spend together as well.
And now, from the "More than you ever thought you wanted to know about Sweetwater" Dept! We are....
CINDY FUNK
Cindy considers the Autoharp to be her first love. With it she backs up the other instruments in Sweetwater's repertoire. Cindy also adds to the versatility of the group's instrumental lineup with her work on mountain dulcimer, tinwhistle, concertina and bodhron. Cindy sings mid to high harmonies and lead vocals on material ranging from light-hearted fun songs to her own compositions.
SHELLEY STEVENS
Shelley played guitar for 18 years before taking up the mountain dulcimer which is now her principal forte'. Her articulate and expressive playing on soprano, mid-voiced, bass and chromatic mountain dulcimers is an education in itself. Shelley also brings stand-up bass, and guitar to the group. Shelley's versatile mid-range voice swings easily from harmonies to singing lead on haunting ballads and variety tunes.
Shelley has two dulcimer books and CDs published by Mel Bay that are available world wide. And Shelley's own Baker's Dozen dulcimer tabulature books are available from TWEETWATER Productions, through her website.
www.shelleystevens.com
SHARI WOLF
Shari's artful guitar backup of vocals and multi-layered instrumentals is the foundation of Sweetwater's sound. Shari's deep, resonant voice adds the warm tones to the group's three-part vocal harmonies and to the lead on several of the group's most requested songs.
That's us. We swore 'lo, those many years ago, that if playing music ever stopped being fun...we'd quit. But we're still having fun, trying to introduce folk music to the masses, and spreading the music to as many people as we can reach. Won't you join us?
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.sweetwaterfolk.com
Track List:
1. Crossing the Water
2. When the Wagon Was New
3. Ann Boleyn
4. Ragtime Annie
5. Bramble and the Rose
6. Lovely Agnes
7. Down in the Coalmine
8. Ragtime Medley
9. Maids When You're Young
10. Colcannon
11. I'll Fly Away
12. The Four-Poster Bed Medley (hoochas)
13. Where the Waters of the Ohio and Missouri Intertwine
14. Bold Orion
15. Yuppies Lament
16. The Resting Chair
17. The Auction
18. Christmas Time's A-Comin'
19. Santa Played the Autoharp And I Wonder as I Wander
Other Genres:
In addition to finding our favorites from Sweetwater's first four cassettes,
"Flavored with...Sweetwater"(1986),"Heather Romp"(1988),"Straight from the Heart" (1990) and "Christmas on the Farm" (1990), you will also find three of the newest Sweetwater favorites...
The Auction (a Cindy Funk original), Crossing the Water (from Bill Staines), and Shelley's Ragtime Medley.
We have re-recorded some of our favorites that have changed over the years and remastered the entire collection into a really fun collage of us! Oh, speaking of collage . . .
. . . check out the cool one (Cindy's creation) of vintage Sweetwater pics on the back of the liner notes.
The Story
SWEETWATER is a gathering of three women from Ohio who, since 1985, have captured the hearts of audiences with the pure power of voices blended in harmony, with diverse instrumental work on traditional instruments and warm interaction with the audience.
SWEETWATER'S members, Cindy Funk, Shelley Stevens, and Shari Wolf became acquainted through their shared interest in the mountain dulcimer. It soon became evident that their vocal blend was something special and that they all had a loving respect for the folk music of America and of other cultures. Soon, ideas were exchanged, additional instrumentation was experimented with, best-loved tunes were chosen and SWEETWATER emerged, spread it's wings and went on the road.
Since that day, SWEETWATER has performed for audiences from the midwest to the Pacific Northwest, here in the U.S. and also toured Ireland and the British Isles.
With eight recordings on their own TWEETWATER PRODUCTIONS label, several projects assisting other musicians, and our latest collaboration with author, Sharyn McCrumb, SWEETWATER'S recorded works encompass American traditional and contemporary, Celtic traditional and contemporary, and country music genres. And, don't forget the humor that the audience loves.
Whenever SWEETWATER has performed, they have won the affection of their audiences for many reasons, but largely for the fact that they have such fun while entertaining and want their audiences to enjoy the time they spend together as well.
And now, from the "More than you ever thought you wanted to know about Sweetwater" Dept! We are....
CINDY FUNK
Cindy considers the Autoharp to be her first love. With it she backs up the other instruments in Sweetwater's repertoire. Cindy also adds to the versatility of the group's instrumental lineup with her work on mountain dulcimer, tinwhistle, concertina and bodhron. Cindy sings mid to high harmonies and lead vocals on material ranging from light-hearted fun songs to her own compositions.
SHELLEY STEVENS
Shelley played guitar for 18 years before taking up the mountain dulcimer which is now her principal forte'. Her articulate and expressive playing on soprano, mid-voiced, bass and chromatic mountain dulcimers is an education in itself. Shelley also brings stand-up bass, and guitar to the group. Shelley's versatile mid-range voice swings easily from harmonies to singing lead on haunting ballads and variety tunes.
Shelley has two dulcimer books and CDs published by Mel Bay that are available world wide. And Shelley's own Baker's Dozen dulcimer tabulature books are available from TWEETWATER Productions, through her website.
www.shelleystevens.com
SHARI WOLF
Shari's artful guitar backup of vocals and multi-layered instrumentals is the foundation of Sweetwater's sound. Shari's deep, resonant voice adds the warm tones to the group's three-part vocal harmonies and to the lead on several of the group's most requested songs.
That's us. We swore 'lo, those many years ago, that if playing music ever stopped being fun...we'd quit. But we're still having fun, trying to introduce folk music to the masses, and spreading the music to as many people as we can reach. Won't you join us?
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.sweetwaterfolk.com
Track List:
1. Crossing the Water
2. When the Wagon Was New
3. Ann Boleyn
4. Ragtime Annie
5. Bramble and the Rose
6. Lovely Agnes
7. Down in the Coalmine
8. Ragtime Medley
9. Maids When You're Young
10. Colcannon
11. I'll Fly Away
12. The Four-Poster Bed Medley (hoochas)
13. Where the Waters of the Ohio and Missouri Intertwine
14. Bold Orion
15. Yuppies Lament
16. The Resting Chair
17. The Auction
18. Christmas Time's A-Comin'
19. Santa Played the Autoharp And I Wonder as I Wander
Other Genres:
- FOLK: Traditional Folk
- MOOD: FUN