Steve and Ruth's first CD release gained national attention. It was chosen by XM Satellite Radio as "The Best Music This Week on XM" and the title song, An Appalachian Aire, was featured on NPR. Dancin' Cross the Strings is another instrumental blend of their Celtic heritage and Appalachian roots. It features Ruth's hammered dulcimer along with Steve's guitar and clawhammer banjo.
They are ably assisted by Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham on flute and pennywhistle, Ryan Smith on bodhran, limberjack, assorted percussion, and 'shine jug. Una Pett on fiddle, and Rebecca Witt on shuttle bagpipes.
Ruth's hammered dulcimer is front and center and her playing is mature, confident and very sensitive to the nuances of the music, allowing each tune to breathe. She wrote five of the fifteen cuts and each is a treasure. She calls on O'Carolan, Neil Gow, Shaun Davey, Ken Kolodner and Jim Taylor for additional material, and does them all proud, as well.
Meantime, Steve provides a solid rhythmic basis for each arrangement and the rest of the group add sonic textures that both surprise and delight. I particularly liked Nancy's flute and whistle. This is great stuff indeed.
