Viveka Fox
(fiddle, bodhran) has played American, Scottish and Irish music since childhood, and especially loves the music of Cape Breton for its Gaelic soul and North American exhuberance. Her solo recording Shores of Champlain was released in 1993.
Rick Klein
(guitar, vocals) developed his powerful rhythm playing through years of work in dance bands of all types. A licensed skipper who has lived and worked on the sea, he has a natural affinity for maritime music.
Peter Macfarlane
(fiddle, low whistle, vocals) relocated to Vermont from the UK where he played regularly for Scottish dances, weddings and more throughout southern England. For 10 years, he organized and led the annual Aylesbury Fiddle Rally, and in 2003 he released a recording of original Scottish-style dance music with pianist Lilian Linden. He now teaches fiddle in Addison County.
Brian Perkins
(mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, feet, cornet, vocals) is a versatile performer, music teacher and sound technician, director of Burlington's popular Celtic College workshop series, and formerly member of the dance band Lift Ticket.
Influences
We originally formed as a group because of a shared love of Celtic music. This love has not diminished, but we are now exploring more the music of our region: Vermont and wider New England. This music arrived with various waves of immigration from across the Atlantic, took root, and has since undergone its own evolution.
The field recordings made by Helen Hartness Flanders from the 1930s to the 1960s are a valuable resource, archived locally, and give more than a glimpse of the musical scene prior to the widespread introduction of radio.
We are also now writing a lot of our own material, both dance tunes and ballads. In particular, Viveka has taken to translating local historical events into song. Three of her songs feature on our latest recording Turning The Compass
It would be misleading to say that we sound like any other band out there. Sure, there may be snatches of character which we've knowingly or unwittingly borrowed from others (or they from us!), but we build all of our arrangements from scratch. We just do our own thing, enjoy doing it, and hope that others enjoy the outcome.
Sounds Like
As mentioned above, to name anyone here would, in my view, be misleading. My best recommendation is for you, the listener, to listen to some tracks and then be the judge. Please let us know!
For over a decade, the Vermont band Atlantic Crossing has been thrilling audiences and dancers with traditional songs and instrumental music from New England - music which has its roots in the Celtic British Isles and in French & Maritime Canada - together with original compositions inspired by these traditions.
A few endorsements (full references and more at AtlanticCrossingVt.com): "Their skill and talent is extraordinary"; "Energetic, high spirited, and playful. Your toes will tap, and your spirits will soar. The musicians love Vermont and its history, and it comes through in many of the songs they play"; "The musical interplay has to be heard to be believed"; "... a refreshing and unique take on traditional dance and vocal music ... some great poetry and music ... always driving, enthusiastic and expertly played"; "The novelty of the arrangements as well as the level of musical acumen are clear and exciting. I highly recommend to anyone with ears"; "a pinnacle of performance reflecting ten years of growth deep into the heartwood of North American folk traditions ... a living picture of the complex and interwoven history of New England culture and music ... the original pieces flow naturally from these roots ..."; "Great! There is enough energy on this album [Turning The Compass] to power a city. I loved the interactions between the musicians."
Atlantic Crossing is available for: Concerts - theaters, town greens, coffee houses, clubs, Arts Council events, school presentations, university series and more; Festivals - folk festivals, expositions, agricultural fairs and more; Contra Dances - major and local dance series, festival dances, dance weekends, wedding dances etc; Celebrations - weddings, civil unions, anniversaries, you name it; Corporate Events - musical entertainment for listening or dance; and more besides - not being listed here does not exclude your event. Try us!
For many years, Atlantic Crossing have been accepted to the Vermont Arts Council's juried register, a selection of the state's best artists, and, in recognition of their contribution to the cultural heritage of the state, they were recently designated "American Masterpiece" artists in a joint program of the Vermont Arts Council & Vermont Folklife Center. This makes some of Atlantic Crossing's performances eligible for grant aid through the Arts Council.
Rich harmonies and compelling rhythms imbued with a deep love of the tradition, high levels of creativity and emotional expression, and a healthy dose of fun are the hallmarks of an Atlantic Crossing performance. The band is bringing to life the music of the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection of traditional New England songs, and researches, writes and performs material relating to local history.
Atlantic Crossing have appeared at numerous festivals, concert series, and on Public Radio. They have toured frequently in the USA and in the UK and, as a high energy contradance band, they have played at many of the major US dance series as well as dance weekends. They now have four recordings to their name, the most recent, Turning The Compass being released in 2006.
Hi Peter (and all of you, of course!),thanks for being my friends! I spend a lot of time on the space but just for listen to all the good music I can find in it!!And it's such a pleasure to find so many friends with the same passion!
