Sunday Sessions: Turning of the Year

Dec 29, 2024

At the year’s turn

we reflect

It may be a time for joy, for sorrow, for quiet, for celebration, for connections, for solitude.

For some, the turn of the year may be a time for making resolutions, setting goals,considering what has happened and what has not.

the turning of the year may, indeed, include all of these things at different or at the same time, in differing or similar measure.

As this year turns these peices of music may be companion along the way, whatever this time in the calendar holds for you.

I am thinking this will be music you may not have expected, too.

Matt Heaton’s song Happy You Made It is one of a number of original songs he’s written for the concerts and albums he does for children and families.

Kids will enjoy, sure. Adults will as well. I’ve seen parents, grandparents, and kids of all ages singing along at Matt’s family concerts. That warm inclusive atmosphere comes through in the song.

Challenges in world events, elections, personal situations: Happy You Made It is a reminder that community and caring can still appear in the midst of troubles.

It is the title track of Matt’s first album for younger listeners. He has several more albums for younger listeners out now, too.

Matt’s main gig is performing original and updated traditional Irish music with his wife, Shannon Heaton. They each have several other projects on the go as well, though. One of Matt’s is family and kid music; one of Shannon;s is her podcast, Irish Music Stories. They are based in the Boston area,

Happy you made it seems a good phrase for the beginning and end of a year.

If you are enjoying both the humor and the hope in that idea, then you may appreciate both of those in the title and the substance of the song Potluck.

Be sure to have a look at the video, too. Both of those things are in it as well.

The song Potluck is by Carrie Newcomer and Siri Undlin. The two musicians got to talking about how such gatherings with people bringing food to share can work as a metaphor for all sorts of aspects of community.

Newcomer is based in Indiana. Undlin lives in Minnesota

You will find Potluck recorded on Carrie Newcomer’s album called A Great Wild Mercy. Siri Undlin joins Carrie on the track, as do Jordan Tice, Jim Brock, Gary Walters, Paul Kowert, and Brittany Haas.

At the turning of the year, other music for Sunday Sessions are worth re-visiting or exploring anew, too

“All the way through wind and rain...we’ll walk the road together” sings Cathie Ryan

Also along those lines “we’ve come a long way to be together,” sings Bernice Johnson Reagon

“Here’s where hope begins” adds Tish Hinojosa

All sorts of ideas on resilience and hope from Rani Arbo and the men of daisy mayhem

Emily Smith finds hope in a new song and a well loved carol

…it would not be the turning of the year without music from Robert Burns, as well

Along the Music Road

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