A collection of some of the most wonderful and beloved lyrical melodies from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, freshly and innovatively played in a distinctively personal outflow of joy and fond yearning --- featuring the extended-range hammered dulcimer and flutes and whistles, plus Ardie Boggs' and Ann Robinson's Celtic harps, Robin Jester's piano, Bill Gurley's fiddle, Howard Nilsen's accordion, Peter Budnikas's bagpipe, and Henry Smith's bass. Includes "Loch Lomond", "Auld Lang Syne", "Be Thou My Vision", "Wild Mountain Thyme", "The Southwind". 70 min. Acoustic soloist Timothy Seaman, a proud native of West Virginia, has lived in Virginia since 1956 and in Williamsburg since 1970. An English graduate of the College of William & Mary, a four-summer backpacking instructor as a Philmont Ranger, and a veteran of nineteen years of school teaching, he has continually been involved in music and has made it his sole endeavor since 1994. Most of his many recordings have been done in collaboration with Virginia’s National and State Parks and other agencies, representing their natural and historic themes. His musical achievements have also involved partnerships with guitarists and Celtic harpers in a folk-jazz-classical blend of styles -- with Paul Montgomery in the early ‘70’s, with his wife Rowena and Hallett Hullinger for a decade in the trio Springs of Joy, with Chuck Haas in Pilgrim and Midwinter Spring, and currently with Ardie Boggs, Ann Robinson, Phillip Skeens and Peter Budnikas in Celtic Awakening, Virginia Sky, Artisan, and StringWind. Major recordings include To the King (1978), with Springs of Joy, and Scratch the Sky (1990), with Midwinter Spring, as well as fifteen discs currently available, totaling 103,000 copies made. Equally at home on a concert stage, at a reception, in a studio or a classroom, Timothy plays the hammered dulcimer, a large collection of flutes and whistles, bowed and plucked psalteries, mountain dulcimer and guitar -- both solo and in ensembles -- with a unique emotive and sometimes powerful style revealing influences of such varied players as Ken Kolodner, early John McCutcheon, Paul Sullivan, Glenn Gould, Hubert Laws, Arthur Rubinstein, Helmuth Rilling, Rudolf Serkin, Alasdair Fraser and George Szell. The instruments seem at times to burst forth into a vocal form of expression -- and indeed on occasion his baritone voice’s warmth joins in. Mr. Seaman’s performance log includes dates with the Virginia delegates and governors and U.S. Congressmen; Lady Thatcher; concert stages shared with Pierce Pettis, Robin and Linda Williams, Phil Keaggy, Dean Shostak, Bob Zentz, John Turner, and Mike Seeger; the Waterford Fair; the Augusta Heritage, Highland Maple, Sawdust, and Buckeye Festivals; twenty First Nights in several cities; the Mordecai Outcry in Lafayette Park, D.C.; An Occasion for the Arts; the Trellis Restaurant and Williamsburg Inn; guest appearances on public radio programs; locations in Hungary, the Netherlands, and Germany; numerous concerts for Colonial Williamsburg and State and National Parks; collaborative programs with hiking author Jeff Alt and wood artist Bob Lentz; and an invitation to play for the elder President Bush. Current works in progress include a compilation of gentle pieces for babies and adventure tunes for toddlers; discs for Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a compilation for Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area in West Virginia, and a recording for the Grand Circle of Parks of the Southwest; a solo hammered dulcimer album of folk hymns called Loving Kindness, plus one of Baroque interpretations, a book of folk hymns compiled in lead-sheet form called What Wondrous Love; a suite of new compositions for the Appalachian Trail, recordings for Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Mount Rainier in Washington, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire; and a quiet recording Hymns from Childhood. Some review excerpts: On the CD Wayfaring Stranger: “...A soul-to soul recording....Though he is multi-tracking on every cut, there is only one voice, Timothy’s own. All the selections are highly lyrical....Such tunes lend themselves to very personal expression, and Timothy has explored each with an inventive spirit, changing rhythmic backup ideas with each repetition, changing melody instruments, dropping voices, adding voices, changing tempo and energy-level, adding improvised introductions and codas....The recording is deeply relaxing --- the day I received it, I sat down to the first strains of “Samhradh, Samhradh” and didn’t get up till it was all over --- but so highly detailed in its conception and performance that the listener’s mind is always engaged, always surprised by the changes of tone-color and intensity that roll in like ocean waves.” --- Carrie Crompton On the CD Quiet in the Meadow: “Timothy’s playing is expressive and controlled with just that touch of elegance that this reflective music deserves. The arrangements are well thought out and delightfully executed, flowing seamlessly from dulcimer to flute to guitar...and back again like watching butterflies flit from flower to flower or a couple of kites flying on a windy day. This is a recording to savor when you want something soothing, relaxing and intelligent. Tim’s dulcimer playing is impeccable as always and his flute playing is mesmerizing....There are seventeen cuts in all and every one is a gem.” --- Neal Walters On the CD Celebration of Centuries: “Tim Seaman’s new release features fresh arrangements of folk and Baroque pieces as well as Seaman originals inspired by the history and geography of Virginia’s Historic Triangle. The music truly reflects the rich heritage of the area and Tim’s dulcimer playing is perfectly suited to the subject matter. He is very smooth and relaxing on the slower numbers and his hammers dance over the strings as he picks up speed, making wonderful use of dynamics.” --- Neal Walters On the CD Incarnation: “...A solo album that sounds like the work of a three-piece band (at least)....It’s a beautiful collection which I expect to become a classic.” --- Carrie Crompton