New albums from Susan McKeown

[Hillary Jackson]

For all you Susan McKeown fans--and for all those who have yet to discover
her--there are some new CD's out:

"Through the Bitter Frost and Snow" (Prime CD Records) by Susan McKeown and
Lindsey Horner. This is an album of songs for the winter season, featuring
some original tunes, some rarely heard traditionals including Don Oíche Ud
i mBeithil, The Christ Child, as well as the Robert Burns version of Auld
Lang Syne which Susan and Lindsey performed last year on NPR's All Things
Considered. A perfect gift for the holidays.

(Susan's debut album, "Bones" is also available from PRIME CD. Their
number is 1-800-PRIME-CD)

"Peter & Wendy" (Alula Records). This is the score to the OBIE award-winning
production which played in New York last winter and is currently playing in
LA at the Geffen Theatre. Scots fiddler, Johnny Cunningham composed the
score which is performed by a Celtic band and Susan does the vocals. The
show is based on the original JM Barrie story of Peter Pan--not exclusively
for children by any means. In fact, probably more appreciated by adults.
The characters are portrayed by puppets, each manuevered by at least three
people. And one extraordinary actress provides ALL the voices. It is a
truly magical experience. If you are in the LA area and have not yet seen
it, I strongly urge you to do so. It runs till Dec. 28th.

Susan's traditional album "Bushes and Briars" on the Alula label, is due to
be released in February so keep an eye out for that as well.

BTW, Susan also appears "The Soul of Christmas" which is available now on
Tommy Boy's new Upaya label. And she appears on the PBS special by that
name, about which there have already been numerous posts.