Brecon Beacon by Feast or Famine
The band Feast or Famine formed in Vermont in 1979 as a trio consisting of Richard Ruane, Michael Chorney, and Michael Corn. Early in 1980 Ron Rost joined the band. The instruments they played (and they were often passed around between the members) included guitars, upright bass, mandolin, mandola, dulcimer, banjo, recorders, whistles, percussion, and saxophone. They played traditional music from Ireland, the United Kingdom and America, original music, and also jazz. They were also known for their live improvisations.
They toured throughout the Northeast and the upper Midwest in the 1980s and released two recordings, “Brecon Beacon” (Philo/Fretless label) in 1981 and “Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing” (self-released cassette) in 1985. Brecon Beacon received strong airplay on folk radio, especially the title track, their version of the ballad Lord Franklin, the Ralph Towner piece Icarus, and the final track on the recording, an improvisation into the original song Jericho.
Tracklist
| 1. | Brecon Beacon | 4:39 |
| 2. | Polly on the Shore | 3:58 |
| 3. | Winter Waters/Morning Star | 2:08 |
| 4. | Maid of Coolmore | 5:08 |
| 5. | Matty Groves/Kitchen Girls | 4:56 |
| 6. | Return to Fingal/Lord Franklin | 5:23 |
| 7. | Icarus | 3:39 |
| 8. | Eileen | 3:17 |
| 9. | Improvisation/Jericho | 7:46 |
Credits
Produced by Feast or Famine
Engineered by Michael Couture and Charles Eller
Design by Leslie Fry & Winslow Colwell
Recorded at Earth Audio Techniques in North Ferrisburg, Vermont during the month of September, 1981.
License
All rights reserved.
Richard Ruane and Beth Duquette are a Vermont-based acoustic duo performing original music with a clear traditional-roots influence that is steeped in tradition, but of its own time. They are known for their strong, imaginative vocals and harmonies, often compared to classic sibling harmony duos.