RIVER, a confluence of three composers

A few years ago I invited Nancy Rumbel and Jami Sieber to join me whilst recording my 2008 album release QUIETING. I had been a fan of both of them for some time. As we began the project it seemed that we complemented each other musically, that there was a spirit between us that came forth when our notes combined.



Jami travelled up to our studio for a summer's day session that was recorded by Kurt Scherer and Phil Heaven. I sat in the corner, knitting through every track as Jami seamlessly played song after song on her acoustic cello. I would look up and say, "that was wonderful!" because it was.

We FTP'd the piano tracks to Nancy. She chose two songs upon which to add her Grammy Winning oboe and English horn. She recorded the parts at her own Water Garden Studio and sent them back via the internet. Who knew a few short years ago that one could do such a thing? When we added the tracks into the mix, I looked up and said, "that was wonderful!" because it was.



A few months later we were on stage together during the CD Release of QUIETING. Later that night we sat in my living room in pajamas and talked over Everything. The idea popped in to construct a performance that included all three of us - a confluence of three composers. We would each have an opportunity to share our own music, and be able to accompany each other. After great deliberation we decided to call ourselves RIVER. "Cello, oboe, piano, English horn, vocals, and double wooden ocarinas flow seamlessly into a current of sound that is at once entertaining, soul-rendering and delightful."



July 17, 2010 will mark the first concert performance for RIVER. It's going to be a house concert at Meadow House in the countryside not far from Bellingham, Washington. It promises to be an interesting evening. I am sure that the three of us will enjoy it, because we just do. And it's Sold Out! How wonderful.



To listen to a "Hawthorn" and "Every Bug, Every Bee, Every Breath" from the QUIETING album, click here: http://www.ilike.com/artist/Lydia+McCauley