Reap the Wind liner notes

Recording Engineers:
Merav Hoffman, Arlene "Callie" Hills, Steven Macdonald, Bill Roper, Mark Peters, Nancy Graf

Mixing Engineers:
Bill and Gretchen Roper
Steven Macdonald

Recorded October 1998, January and February 1999:
OVFF XIV, Columbus, Ohio, USA
The Farm Studios, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Dodeka Studios, Des Plaines, Illinois, USA

Mixed:
Dodeka Studios, Des Plaines, Illinois, USA

Cover Art by Jane Irwin

Steven Macdonald: Lead and harmony vocals, 6 and 12 string rhythm guitars, 6 string lead guitar, whistles, pops, and various inconsistencies

Arlene "Callie" Hills: Flute and Bass Flute- both played consistently and well. Appears on Discovery, Searching for the Frontier, What I Know, Reap the Wind, Believe

Amanda Noon: Vocal on Legend of Nightfall

The Legend of Nightfall
Lyric Copyright ©1993 by Mickey Zucker Reichert
Music Copyright ©1998 by Steven Macdonald

When I Was A Boy
Lyric and Music Copyright ©1997 by Frank Hayes (BMI)

Discovery
Music Copyright ©1999 by Steven Macdonald and Arlene 'Callie' Hills

For information on finding additional copies of this CD, or getting your hands on other projects by Steve Macdonald, check out his website at http://www.stevemacdonald.org. Or send him email at smac@stevemacdonald.org.

For Esther Walton, my Grammie. A woman who lived her life with no compromises, raised my mother as a single mom in the 40's, and whose entire life proves that no mountain is too high, no barrier too thick, and no problem unsolvable.

Special Thanks

This has not been an easy year for me. This album was started with the breakup and dissolution of my 14 year relationship with my wife, Susan; and it carried me through much of the emotions and cares of that time. The songs offered here were both a catharsis and comfort for me; and it is my prayer that they help provide you comfort and insight through your own life's journey.

We all have unique and special gifts which no one can quite duplicate. Some gifts are flashy and loud; and some have the soft comfort of warmth and close intimacy. Many gifts are similar; but each is touched by the unique soul of its bearer. You may feel that your gifts are small; however, remember that *all* gifts are meant to be shared and celebrated.

Stand. Sing your song. And make your life grow.

This project would not have been possible, or turned out in the fashion that it has; without the love and support of many people. In no particular order, the highlights are:

Lucian, Renee, Joshua, Bill and Gretchen Roper, Lisa Hunter, Merav Hoffman, Paul Kwinn, Beckett Gladney, Evan and Alyse Middleton, Tracy Lunquist, Erik Wessing, David Abzug, Rita Burke, Samantha Star Straf, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Diana Huey, Heather Munn, Steve Simmons, Michael Martin, Callie Hills, Mom and Dad, John and Joni Macdonald, Nancy and Glenn Mabile, Elizabeth Huffman, Amanda Noon, Frank Hayes, Jim Davis, Dave Tucker, Pete and Jill Grubbs, Carson Gaspar, Jane Irwin, Daniel Glasser, Suzanne Siegel, Carol Heydlauff, Mike Bakula, Thom and Lori Mattingly, Tom Billings, Brian and Martha Bay, Jan DiMasi, Art Warneke, Kenn Capman, Kae Ann Chapel, Moira, Thomas, Blinky the Traveling Virtual Cube, Susan Moerdyk, and any and all that I've forgotten here- you know who you are. We sit in hotel corridors or stairwells at 4AM sharing our life stories; high on lack of sleep and sugar buzz, taking comfort in each others' company.

Song Notes:

Travelin' On (5/98)
I had originally written this as a "feel sorry for me" dirge- this interpretation lasted about a day. (grin) It now represents sloughing off the old, the outmoded; and looking forward with clear eyes and a light heart.

Legend of Nightfall (5/98)
I got the verses for this from the book of the same name, by Mickey Zucker Riechert. Excellent story, I strongly recommend it! I was thoroughly geeked by the opportunity to work with Mickey; and I hope that the two songs we've written together will be far from the last.

Discovery (12/96)
This piece got its start as a drum/guitar jam with Tom Billings at OVFF in Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1996. I was flying, and he was following. Later, as I boiled it down and turned it into a performance piece; I realized that it brought out the emotions of pleasant anticipation and delighted discovery as it unfolded.

Dragonflight (1/97)
This is a Lessa of Pern song- relaying her feelings regarding the ability of queen dragons to really fly; and her will and spirit to overcome artificial limitations placed upon her.

Hush (4/96)
Written for the FilKONtario songwriting contest in 1996; in this song I try to weave fantasy elements and music into a single whole- and create a momentary magic.

When I Was A Boy (6/97)
Jan DiMasi had made a call for new computer songs for Duckon in June, 1997; and this was Frank Hayes' entry. We could barely stop laughing- and we were all singing the chorus with Frank before the end of the song. Art Warneke videotaped Frank's performance of the piece, and brought it to my house for a party we had that August. I promptly lifted it. And, after getting Frank's permission; I immediately started playing it wherever I went.

This piece won the Pegasus Award for Best Song for 1998 at the Ohio Valley Filk Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in October 1998. This recording is from the Pegasus Nominees Concert that same weekend.

Pulse (8/98)
This piece just kinda popped out the first time I truly realized that I was going to be ok; and that life would go on. Thank you Luke, Renee, Josh, and Merav.

Come Hither (6/97)
Slightly bawdy, and a lot of fun! Enjoy!

Dutchman (11/97)
Written for the OVFF songwriting contest in 1997. I had been kicking the music around for this song for about a year; and as usual, it didn't finish itself until minutes before the contest. It placed second in a tie with Scott Snyder's "Tale of the Dragon".

In A Quiet Moment (2/96)
This song was written about the time I realized that Susan and I had been living in chaos through most of our time together. We were in the middle of a 10 month seperation due to jobs carrying us to different states; and it was a horrifying realization that this was the happiest time in our marriage. With this piece I realized that nothing worth having is easy; and maintaining happiness in your life requires discipline and work.

Palms (4/98)
I was asked to perform for Palm Sunday at church; and as I looked through my liturgical music, I discovered that there were no songs regarding Jesus' triumphant march into Jerusalem. The church generally chooses to use Palm Sunday to focus peoples' attention to the following Friday- Good Friday; which is the observance of His crucifixion. As such, this generally makes the mood on Palm Sunday rather somber; on a day we should be celebrating the acknowledgement of the King. This is the result of my attempt to rectify this situation.

Searching for the Frontier (7/98)
Written for the Contata songwriting contest in July, 1998, in my typical timeframe (30 minutes prior to the contest). It placed second- to a guy who was composing what he was doing on the spot! Maybe I should move my schedule up...

What I Know (5/98)
This was written the moment I realized that my marriage was going to end. In our society, there's very little acknowledgement that things take, and require- time. In some cases lots of time. Susan had made her decision; and honor is added to her name and her soul that she gave me time to reach mine.

Reap the Wind (2/98)
This is my side of the story of my marriage. There are no heroes, and no villains. Cherish those close to you while you have them; for times and people change- just as the tides and eddies of your life will carry you in changing directions through the course of your journey.

Believe (11/97)
We are all dependent; one upon the other. No person can survive easily in total isolation- we are meant to share with one another. Share your gifts, and accept gifts that are shared to you.

This is your life. You have one shot at it. You have the ability to make it good. Do so.

Harold: I love you!
Maude: That's nice, Harold. Now go and love someone else.