One Wintry Night, The Strayaway Child, Heartdance, Homecoming

& The Strayaway Child Trilogy
by
Jerry Read Smith (and friends)

 First ... Just A Little Background!

When Jerry was first attracted to the Hammer Dulcimer he had no idea exactly how much it would become a part of his life.  First and foremost there was "that sound."  He loved the magical notes exploding off the soundboard ... dancing into space (thanks John!).  Since dulcimers didn't seem to be available anywhere he found himself writing to the Smithsonian Institution where he received simple plans to construct one (thanks Sam!).  That instrument is still hanging on the wall of his showroom in Black Mountain, NC.  Well ... he's come quite a long way in his building skills and, much to his surprise, he learned to play a little bit along the way too (thanks Malcolm!).  And thanks so much for helping hold me together Tom (you're still my all-time favorite rhythm guitar guy).  You can get to Tom at:  www.acoustic-corner.com

 Friends and listeners finally convinced him to record some of the music he was playing.  Jerry knew absolutely nothing about the music business and recording so he started his own record label, Song of the Wood Music.  He produced & arranged the music, took pictures, managed the layout, came up with an album concept and did the writing and marketing.  He felt certain people would be as attracted to "that sound" as he was if he could only capture it on vinyl!   Here are some results of his labors over the years.  Jerry thanks the many friends that have helped him with his music, especially David (www.davidwilcox.com) ... but mostly his own personal "dream come true" ... Lisa. 

One Wintry Night

"Once upon a time ... not so very long ago ... I was traveling down a long and wearisome road.  At times ... in the clear, still darkness ... I could almost see into the very heart of the night ... and it made me weep.  Behold ... the fear of the Lord! ... I had read, somewhere.  Slowly ... painfully ... something drew me to a child!  Was it fate ... or something more ... that gave me sight ... one wintry night?"

One Wintry Night CD or Tape
Price:  $15.00 (CD) $10.00 (Tape)  
To Order!

Listen to some selected cuts off "One Wintry Night" -  We Three Kings

Epiphany

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

One Wintry Night

Carol of the Bells

The Book!

Don't miss the book that inspired the recording. It's a beautifully illustrated re-telling of the Christmas story by Ruth Bell Graham, with glorious paintings (that took over 4 years to complete) by Richard Jesse Watson. (Click on the picture to see his website.) This wonderful hardback book is a keepsake for children and adults alike.  (sorry Richard ... I just realized the other day that the hyperlink to you was not attached.  It's fixed now)
One Wintry Night Book Price: $15.00  
To Order!  *Sorry ... this book is temporarily "out of stock".

The Strayaway Child Trilogy
in a two CD set!

The Strayaway Child Trilogy, consisting of Jerry's first three hammer dulcimer recordings, The Strayaway Child (1981), Heartdance 1986), and Homecoming (1992), is now available in a two CD set - remastered for better sound quality, and including a bonus interview with Jerry, and a 16 page color booklet with track notes and photos!
The Strayaway Child Trilogy two CD set 
Price: $28.00 (CD's only)
To Order!

The Strayaway Child

Jerry's first recording, The Strayaway Child, begins with a dream and weaves it's way through Celtic melody, a New Orleans waltz and a host of melodic textures featuring the Hammer Dulcimer, Guitar, Fiddle, Flute and Dobro.  It is the beginning of an instrumental trilogy that is a reflection of life.  Conceived and recorded in 1981 ... it truly marked the beginning of a "dream" for Jerry.

Tunes include:  The Dream,  The Strayaway Child, Martin Wynne's/The Pigeon On The Gate, Midnight On The Water/Star Of The County Down,  The Dancing Dog/The Blarney Pilgrim, Lord Inchiquin,  Jesu, Our Joy Of Man's Desiring, The Butterfly/Swallowtail Jig, Castle Kelly, The Southwind, Kesh Jig/The Kid On The Mountain, Somewhere Over The Rainbow/The Dream (reprise).   
The Strayaway Child CD 
Price: $15.00   
To Order!

Heartdance

Sooner or later dreams give way to reality and the truth.  During the making of this record Jerry's father died of cancer and two months later his best friend "Waldo" was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Jerry's second recording, originally released in 1986, Heartdance, expresses "an awakening" which, hopefully, fills the listener with delight ... but, perhaps, some questions too.  The melodies here spiral through jigs and reels with Hammer Dulcimer, Bouzouki, Fiddles, Flutes, Whistles and lots of dancing strings!                                                           
Tunes include:  Heartdance/Give Us A Drink Of Water, The Road To Logan, Willie Coleman's/Tom Morrison's/The Banshee, Tom's Aire (Down On Dunsmore), Farrell O'Gara, Sean Ryan's/The Star Of Muenster, Julia Delaney/The Longford Tinker/The Silver Spear, O'Carolyn's Draught, Jack McCann's/The Road Home, Sir David Davidson Of Cantray/Meadowlark, The Forest Path/Monahan's Jig/Water Under The Keel.
Heartdance CD or Tape Price: $15.00 (CD) $10.00 (Tape)
To Order!

Homecoming

Amidst the noise and clamor of the bustling world there is a quiet, gentle call ... a still, small voice that beckons us to slow down ... to listen.  In Jerry's third, and final, recording in the trilogy (originally released in 1992) ... Homecoming turns our hearts homeward featuring the intertwining of two of the world's most ancient musical instruments ... the Hammer Dulcimer and Flute.  This is the first of his recordings where he is joined with the love of his life ... Lisa!  Listen for "her" voice on the silver flute.  And .... by the way ... it is true ... "the wind blows where it will."

Tunes include:  Genesis/What Child Is This?, Childgrove, Saint Basil's Hymn, The Boys Of Ballysodare/Stolen Apples, Christ Child Lullaby, Morrison's Jig, Amazing Grace, Heart (dance), Easter's Coming,  Come Before Winter, The Wind Blows Where It Will, An Comhra Donn, Homecoming, Be Thou My Vision/What Child Is This? (reprise)   
Homecoming CD or Tape Price: $15.00 (CD)  $10.00 (Tape)
To Order!

Remember -In addition to these titles, we carry around 400 other rare and magical recordings on Hammer Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, Harp, and a variety of other acoustic instruments. For more information on our other music, please contact us at the showroom.

If you have questions, need more information, 
or would like to place an order, please . . .
 E-mail us at: INFO@SONGOFTHEWOOD.COM
Call or fax us at: 828-669-7675
Visit or write us at: Song of the Wood
203 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC  28711
 Or fill out the form on our Order Page.