- Beltain Biography
- Reviews
- Albums Discography
- Singles Discography
clockwise from top: Mikkel McDow, David Cowan, Morgan McDowBeltain formed in Oakland, California around the nucleus of Mikkel McDow, guitar & vocals, Morgan Thomas, bass & vocals and J Boyd, drums. The first quartet was completed by Chris Kemp on lead guitar.
In 1994 the three core members moved to Cohasset in the Sierra foothills where the band evolved their unique blend of ancient and modern music.
The current trio includes David Cowan who is a player of all things. The newest edition of Beltain keeps it lively by passing instruments among themselves. Either David or Mikkel might be playing guitar on any given tune. It might be Mikkel or Morgan playing the mandolin or the octave mandolin. Morgan plays the button accordion while David plays the more familiar stomach steinway. The flutes, too, are played by David and Morgan.
In performance the bass parts are often played by Mikkel, though Morgan plays the lion's share of bass on the recordings. While the band generally eschews drums in a concert setting their recordings feature all three laying down a steady groove on many different kinds of percussion instruments. They rarely decide what to play on a new song until they've tried almost every combination.
The three musicians bring a lifetime of musical discovery to the band. Morgan, Beltain's first among equals, has led dance and festival bands throughout California for most of the past thirty years. In the eighties she was a member of Berkeley's groundbreaking trio Cyderman's Fancy.
Mikkel was a founding member of Berkeley's legendary punk rock band The Jars. Moving beyond the genre he was a member of Lizard Music which featured MX-80 Sound guitarist Owen Maercks on lead guitar. In the late eighties Mikkel teamed up with wireless microphone inventor John Nady and his group The Alliance until joining Bay Area club favorites Rumor Hazit, the band that evovled into the first version of Beltain.
David comes to the band from the other side of the mic. As the former owner of Small Town Sound he was Beltain's first engineer. A fabulous musician as well as a technician, David has been an indispensible part of the sound since 1995. He played hammered dulcimer and accordion on Beltain's debut album, charrango and flutes on Mikkel & Morgan's Too Hot In The Kitchen album, and panpipes and accordion on Beltain's second full length CD, Merry Begot. He joined the performing band for the album's release in 1999.
Since then Beltain has been pleasing audiences through-out California and Oregon with appearances at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, the Dickens Faire in San Francisco, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Los Angeles, and with festival peformances and house concerts everywhere inbetween.Recently Beltain released a pair of albums. The first, Buttons & Bells, gathers together the 4 x 3 and Morricide eps from 2010 and the Yuletide ep from 2011. The second, Country Matters, reprises the Too Hot In The Kitchen CD from 1996. Both are available now in the Beltain Store.
For bookings email Mik@beltainband.com or call (530) 345-6323.
What they're saying about Beltain
Blending 11th-century folk and elements of ’60s pop, Beltain sounds like Frank Zappa playing during Medieval Times. Mandolin, pan flute and accordion are the instruments of choice, but the dark harmonies of Dave Cowan and Morgan and Mikkel McDow steal the show. They wield a mean jousting lance, too.
- The Chico News And Review, April 2012
For the few among you who may not be familiar with Beltain, the co-founders are (Susan) Morgan (Cyderman's Fancy, Pipe & Bowl Morris) & Mik McDow (The Jars, Alliance), joined by one-man ethnic orchestra Dave Cowan (Ruby Hollow, Willowgreen). Think tight, dramatic vocals carried on waves of guitar, octave mando, accordion, panpipes, electric bass and bodhran and a repertoire that moves between 16th century great halls and 20th century Nashville with grace and conviction.
- Tom Wagner, Oak Ash & Thorn, January 2011
Blending 11th-century folk and elements of ’60s pop, Beltain sounds like Frank Zappa playing during Medieval Times. Mandolin, pan flute and accordion are the instruments of choice, but the dark harmonies of Dave Cowan and Morgan and Mikkel McDow steal the show. They wield a mean jousting lance, too.
- The Chico News And Review, April 2012
For the few among you who may not be familiar with Beltain, the co-founders are (Susan) Morgan (Cyderman's Fancy, Pipe & Bowl Morris) & Mik McDow (The Jars, Alliance), joined by one-man ethnic orchestra Dave Cowan (Ruby Hollow, Willowgreen). Think tight, dramatic vocals carried on waves of guitar, octave mando, accordion, panpipes, electric bass and bodhran and a repertoire that moves between 16th century great halls and 20th century Nashville with grace and conviction.
- Tom Wagner, Oak Ash & Thorn, January 2011
Every time the three broke into harmony, a beautiful hum projected through the room, giving listeners chills. The band's powerful vocals, mostly lead by Morgan McDow, complimented every composition...It was a night of call and response as Beltain included their audience in many songs. Anyone passing by would think Cafe Coda was an Irish pub.
- The Orion, California State University at Chico, January 2011 www.theorion.com
Beltain Discography 1995 - 2013
Some version of Beltain has been performing and recording since 1993. As the band evolves to feature new players and new sounds it is often necessary to make new recordings. Sometimes they are released to the public. At first we released cassette tapes, and later on CD-Rs. Today we issue our music as downloads through the many services provided to independent musicians such as ourselves. All songs are by Mikkel McDow unless otherwise noted.
1995: The self-titled first album (CD & cassette)
Beltain was recorded at Flying Saucerz Studio in Oroville, Ca. winter 1994 / 1995 and issued on the band's own Granny's Ghost label October 1995. Songs include Paddy's Lamentation (traditional) / Any Port Town / Far Between (You & Me) / The Athol Highlander's Jigs (traditional) / Queen Mary's Galliard (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Lord Darnley / The Road To Lisdoonvarna (traditional) / Tarry Trousers (traditional) / A Tree Song (Kipling) / The Flowers Of Edinburgh (traditional) / Maggie In The Woods (traditional) / The Bedmaking (traditional) / Rose Among The Throns / The Little Beggar Reels (traditional) / Tara Hill / Evergreen / The Wind That Shakes The Barley (traditional). Morgan Thomas - octave mandolin, mandolin, recorders, bodhran, bass & vocals. Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sid Lewis - guitar, tenor & five string banjos, mandolin & vocals ; Sam Good - bass ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; Dave Cowan - hammered dulcimer, accordion & jaws harp.
1996: Too Hot In The Kitchen / 2013: Too Hot In The Kitchen (CD-R & download)
Too Hot In The Kitchen was recorded winter 1995 / 1996 and issued in an edition of 100 cassette tapes in August 1996. An edtion of 100 CD-Rs was issued in 1998 without The Kesh Jigs. Princess Royal (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / La Bastraigne (traditional) / I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love (traditional) / I'll Drink To Scotland No More / Three Playford Dances (traditional) / The Wild Geese (traditional) / The Last Country Waltz (recorded 1990) / Si Beag, Si More (O'Carolan) / Robin Was A Reckless Lad / The Chorus Jig (traditional) / Rakish Paddy (traditional) / La Cucaracha (traditional) / Uncle John's Band (Garcia-Hunter) / Crazy Man Michael (Thompson-Swarbrick) / Too Hot In The Kitchen (traditional-Morgan Thomas) / The Kesh Jigs (traditional recorded live 4/28/96). Morgan Thomas - octave mandolin, recorders, bodhran & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sid Lewis - guitar & tenor banjo ; Sam Good - bass ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; Dave Cowan - charrango & panpipes ; Kim Gimbal - vocals.
Too Hot In The Kitchen is Beltain's accidental album. Intending to mix Too Hot In The Kitchen for future release we found that the multi-track tapes had deteriorated to the point that most of the album had to be re-recorded. Recording commenced February 2013, was finished in March, and incorporates instrumental tracks recorded for Too Hot In The Kitchen in 1996. Recently released to bandcamp and as a CD-R the new version is not merely a remake of Too Hot In The Kitchen. Because of advances in technology we had a larger palatte so the arrangements are more complex. Princess Royal (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / La Bastraigne (traditional) / I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love (traditional) / I'll Drink To Scotland No More / Three Playford Dances (traditional) / The Wild Geese (traditional) / Robin Was A Reckless Lad / The Chorus Jig (traditional) / Rakish Paddy (traditional) / La Cucaracha (traditional) / Two Playford Dances (traditional) / General Ludd (traditional) / Too Hot In The Kitchen (traditional-Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, bass, recorders, bodhran, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; David Cowan - charrango, pan pipes, accordion & vocals ; J Boyd - drums on The Chorus Jig / Rakish Paddy & Sid Lewis - banjo on The Chorus Jig / Rakish Paddy.
1999: Merry Begot (CD-R)
Merry Begot was intended as a swan song and the history of the band might have ended there if not for mp3.com. Unable to secure national distribution for ourr Granny's Ghost label and seeing no other way forward Beltain disbanded in late 1998. Mik & Morgan, who were married in October 1998, booked studio time on their own dime and enticed their former bandmates into recording an album of Mikkel's original songs. A few months later both Wild In The West and Drawing Down The Moon became surprise regional hits on mp3.com. Merry Begot is Beltain's quick and sloppy album, recorded live in the studio with a mininum of takes and overdubs, and though some of the songs are included on the Palimpsest collection issued in 2009 Merry Begot is no longer available from Beltain. Dance The Magic Round (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / The Jolly Highwayman / The Prince Of Wales / Old Soldier In The Barracks / Where Widows Walk / The Morning Dew (Reels) (traditional arr. McConnell recorded live 2/8/98) / Trouble In Mind / The Old Straight Track / Drawing Down The Moon / Wild In The West. Promotional editions also included 1998 recordings of The Wild Hunt, I'll Drink To Scotland No More, One Red Rose or If The Jacobites Had Won (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; Morgan McDow - octave mandolin recorder & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sam Good - bass ; Mark Wilpolt - banjo & vocals ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; David Cowan - accordion ; Bill Dick - violin on Old Soldier In The Barracks & Drawing Down The Moon ; Kim Gimbal - vocals.
2004: St. Patick's Day Live (CD-R)
Saint Patrick's Day Live was recorded at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, Ca. March 17, 2002 and March 16, 2003. Recorded during Beltain's extended hiatus, Saint Patrick's Day Live features the band performing Irish songs and dances. Some of the set was issued on CD-R for St. Patrick's Day 2004. A little over a year later we booked time at Chico's new Electric Canyon Studio to make our first studio recordings in five years. As of April 2013 Saint Patrick's Day Live is no longer available from Beltain. All songs traditional except where noted. Saint Patrick / Planxty McBoing Boing / Wild Rover / Any Port Town (McDow) / A Tree Song (Kipling) / Danny Boy / Merrily Kiss The Quaker / The Last Country Waltz (McDow) / The Hills Of Connemara / The Boom Boom Polkas / Star Of The County Down / Scots Waltz / The Weaver & The Factory Maid / Band Introduction / Circle Of Light (McDow) / The Rights Of Man. Mikkel McDow - guitar & vocals ; Morgan McDow - bass, octave mandolin, recorder & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Rhiannon Hawk - Celtic harp, violin & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, panpipes, flutes, guitar & vocals.
2005: Morgan McDow - A Medieval Feast (CD-R & downoad)
A Medieval Feast is a solo album by Morgan McDow featuring songs and dances written before the renaissance. All songs and dances are anonymous unless otherwise noted. Douce Dame Jolie (Machault) / Puisque Je Voys (De Lantins) / Tristan's Lament / La Rotta / Edi Beo Thu Hevene Queene / Quant Je Voi Yver / Rufty Tufty (traditional) / La Tricotea / Abbot's Bromley (traditional) / If All The World Were Paper (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / Angelus Ad Virginem / The Nightwatch (Holborne) / Salterello / Alle Psallite / Nova Nova / Pucelete / Danse Royal / Momento Mori (traditional) / Once Twice Thrice (Purcell) / Pucelte (alternate mix) / la Rotta Explotta. All instruments and vocals by Morgan McDow.
2006: Trebuchet (download)
Trebuchet is our loud electric album. It collects recordings from the summer 2000 sessions at Pro Sound Audio Services with songs recorded in 2005 and 2006 at Electric Canyon Studio. Trebuchet was originally issued in 2008 as a SNOCAP download. Further downloads with some additional songs were made available on bandcamp and reverbnation. As of April 2013 Trebuchet is no longer available from Beltain. Driftwood / The Butterfly (traditional) / Bedlam Boys (traditional) / The Rights Of Man (traditional) / Circle Of Light / Ancient In The Modern World / Castle Kelly (O'Carolan) / Drawing Down The Moon / The Wild Hunt (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Tall Trees (Hawk) / Trebuchet (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Mikkel McDow - guitar & vocals ; Morgan McDow ; bass, octave mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Rhiannon Hawk - Celtic harp, violin & vocals ; David Cowan - flutes & panpipes ; John Glick - slide guitar, percussion & vocals ; Brian Fredson - lead guitar.
2008: Jongleur & Other Stories (download)
Jongleur & Other Stories collects the remaining songs from the 2005 and 2006 sessions at Electric Canyon Studio. The relative brevity of the program caused us to fill out the album with a set of O'Carolan harp pieces recorded in concert at Feather Falls Casino in 2002. As of April 2013 Jongleur & Other Stories is no longer available from Beltain. Jongleur / Hal N Toe (traditional) / Morenada de las Sapos (traditional) / The Last Country Waltz / Flor de Santa Vera Cruz (traditional) / (Living With Your) Pride / Billy Taylor / O'Carolan Suite (Turlock O'Carolan: live at Feather Falls Casino 2002) / The Weaver & The Factory Maid (traditional) / El Gato y la Pulga (traditional) / Wild Rover (traditional). Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; Morgan - bass, octave mandolin, recorders, bodhran & vocals ; David Cowan - panpipes, accordion, percussion & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sue Carney - guitarria, renaissance recorder, bodhran & vocals.
2009: Palimpsest (A Recollection: 1993 - 2006) (CD & download)
Palimpsest (A Recollection: 1993-2006)collects the most popular songs from our previous albums onto one CD. Wild Rover (download only) / The Jolly Highwayman / The Morning Dew (Reels) (traditional arr. McConnell download only) / Far Between (You & Me) (acoustic mix) / Uncle John's Band (Garcia-Hunter CD only) / Jongleur / Douce Dame Jolie (Machault) / Any Port Town / Dance The Magic Round (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Drawing Down The Moon (abridged) / Circle Of Light (video mix) / (Living With Your) Pride (download only) / Bedlam Boys (traditional) / Wild In The West (video mix) / Billy Taylor (traditional) / Kilmainham Gaol (abridged) / Trebuchet (abridged) (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Evergreen.
2011: Yuletide (CD-R & download)
Yuletide,originally a four song ep,is Beltain's solstice album. It is chock full of wassail, dancing and drinking songs. Mostly recorded in 2010 Yuletide does include a few things that later turned up on Buttons & Bells. We don't think that detracts from the enjoyment of this album though, especially since Yuletide is only available upon the winter solstice. All songs traditional except where noted. Christmas Is A Comin' (Morgan McDow) / Bud & Blossom / Somerset Wassail / Annie's Fancy (David Cowan) / Trunkles / Lads A Bunchem / Tarleton's Goodnight / The Happy Man / The Blue Eyed Stranger / Puisque Je Voy / As Snow Falls (McDow) / John Barleycorn (live version) / Sleights Sword Dance / Morris Off / Hey Diddle Dis. Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, recorders, button accordion, morris bells, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, guitar, hammered dulcimer & vocals.
2012: Buttons & Bells (CD-R & download)
Buttons & Bells collects highlights from our Four By Three and Morricide eps, the original Yuletide ep, and a new song recorded in 2011. All songs and dances are traditional. The Happy Man / Morris Call / Morris On / Lads A Bunchem / Reynardine (extended version) / The Blue Eyed Stranger / Lovely Joan / Young Collins / London Pride / Somerset Wassail / Trunkles / Bud & Blossom / Un Deux Trois / Captain Kidd / English Country Garden / John Barleycorn / Sleights Sword Dance / Morris Off. Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, button accordion, bass, side drum, recorders & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, bass & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, flutes, panpipes, guitar & vocals. Note: early versions of this album were issued in 2011 under the titles English Country Garden and The Girt Dog Of Langport.
2012: Patchwork Quilt (EP) (CD-R & download)
Patchwork Quilt was originally a full length album featuring twelve original compositions. Upon reflection many of them were deemed unsuitable for the band. Some are currently available on Mik Dow's Skullduggery ep. The Patchwork Quilt ep features four of the most popular tunes from the original album in brand new mixes and with some overdubs here and there. All songs by Mikkel McDow except where noted. Patchwork Quilt / The Price Of Love / Bad Alchemy / Safe Harbors (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - bass, recorders, bongos, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, drums & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, panpipes, cana, Irish flute & vocals ; Chris Kemp - vibes on The Price Of Love ; Collin Wiley - cello on Safe Harbors.
2012: Living Room Only (CD-R)
Living Room Only is Beltain's most recent live album. Recorded at a house concert in Van Nuys, Ca. November 2011 Living Room Only presents our current set on a good night in front a great crowd. The audio was recorded on a digital Zoom recorder. A digital video recording of the concert also exists. All songs traditional except where noted. Patchwork Quilt (McDow) / Somerset Wassail / Reynardine / John Barleycorn / Captain Kidd / Bud & Blossom / Un Deux Trois / The Happy Man / English Country Garden / El Gato y la Pulga / On Top Of The World (McDow) / The Underwater Chantey (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Strike The Bell / Bad Alchemy (McDow) / Safe Harbors (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - bass, recorders, bongos, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, drums & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, cana, panpipes, Irish flute & vocals.
Some version of Beltain has been performing and recording since 1993. As the band evolves to feature new players and new sounds it is often necessary to make new recordings. Sometimes they are released to the public. At first we released cassette tapes, and later on CD-Rs. Today we issue our music as downloads through the many services provided to independent musicians such as ourselves. All songs are by Mikkel McDow unless otherwise noted.
1995: The self-titled first album (CD & cassette)
Beltain was recorded at Flying Saucerz Studio in Oroville, Ca. winter 1994 / 1995 and issued on the band's own Granny's Ghost label October 1995. Songs include Paddy's Lamentation (traditional) / Any Port Town / Far Between (You & Me) / The Athol Highlander's Jigs (traditional) / Queen Mary's Galliard (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Lord Darnley / The Road To Lisdoonvarna (traditional) / Tarry Trousers (traditional) / A Tree Song (Kipling) / The Flowers Of Edinburgh (traditional) / Maggie In The Woods (traditional) / The Bedmaking (traditional) / Rose Among The Throns / The Little Beggar Reels (traditional) / Tara Hill / Evergreen / The Wind That Shakes The Barley (traditional). Morgan Thomas - octave mandolin, mandolin, recorders, bodhran, bass & vocals. Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sid Lewis - guitar, tenor & five string banjos, mandolin & vocals ; Sam Good - bass ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; Dave Cowan - hammered dulcimer, accordion & jaws harp.1996: Too Hot In The Kitchen / 2013: Too Hot In The Kitchen (CD-R & download)
Too Hot In The Kitchen was recorded winter 1995 / 1996 and issued in an edition of 100 cassette tapes in August 1996. An edtion of 100 CD-Rs was issued in 1998 without The Kesh Jigs. Princess Royal (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / La Bastraigne (traditional) / I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love (traditional) / I'll Drink To Scotland No More / Three Playford Dances (traditional) / The Wild Geese (traditional) / The Last Country Waltz (recorded 1990) / Si Beag, Si More (O'Carolan) / Robin Was A Reckless Lad / The Chorus Jig (traditional) / Rakish Paddy (traditional) / La Cucaracha (traditional) / Uncle John's Band (Garcia-Hunter) / Crazy Man Michael (Thompson-Swarbrick) / Too Hot In The Kitchen (traditional-Morgan Thomas) / The Kesh Jigs (traditional recorded live 4/28/96). Morgan Thomas - octave mandolin, recorders, bodhran & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sid Lewis - guitar & tenor banjo ; Sam Good - bass ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; Dave Cowan - charrango & panpipes ; Kim Gimbal - vocals.
Too Hot In The Kitchen is Beltain's accidental album. Intending to mix Too Hot In The Kitchen for future release we found that the multi-track tapes had deteriorated to the point that most of the album had to be re-recorded. Recording commenced February 2013, was finished in March, and incorporates instrumental tracks recorded for Too Hot In The Kitchen in 1996. Recently released to bandcamp and as a CD-R the new version is not merely a remake of Too Hot In The Kitchen. Because of advances in technology we had a larger palatte so the arrangements are more complex. Princess Royal (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / La Bastraigne (traditional) / I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love (traditional) / I'll Drink To Scotland No More / Three Playford Dances (traditional) / The Wild Geese (traditional) / Robin Was A Reckless Lad / The Chorus Jig (traditional) / Rakish Paddy (traditional) / La Cucaracha (traditional) / Two Playford Dances (traditional) / General Ludd (traditional) / Too Hot In The Kitchen (traditional-Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, bass, recorders, bodhran, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; David Cowan - charrango, pan pipes, accordion & vocals ; J Boyd - drums on The Chorus Jig / Rakish Paddy & Sid Lewis - banjo on The Chorus Jig / Rakish Paddy.
1999: Merry Begot (CD-R)
Merry Begot was intended as a swan song and the history of the band might have ended there if not for mp3.com. Unable to secure national distribution for ourr Granny's Ghost label and seeing no other way forward Beltain disbanded in late 1998. Mik & Morgan, who were married in October 1998, booked studio time on their own dime and enticed their former bandmates into recording an album of Mikkel's original songs. A few months later both Wild In The West and Drawing Down The Moon became surprise regional hits on mp3.com. Merry Begot is Beltain's quick and sloppy album, recorded live in the studio with a mininum of takes and overdubs, and though some of the songs are included on the Palimpsest collection issued in 2009 Merry Begot is no longer available from Beltain. Dance The Magic Round (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / The Jolly Highwayman / The Prince Of Wales / Old Soldier In The Barracks / Where Widows Walk / The Morning Dew (Reels) (traditional arr. McConnell recorded live 2/8/98) / Trouble In Mind / The Old Straight Track / Drawing Down The Moon / Wild In The West. Promotional editions also included 1998 recordings of The Wild Hunt, I'll Drink To Scotland No More, One Red Rose or If The Jacobites Had Won (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; Morgan McDow - octave mandolin recorder & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sam Good - bass ; Mark Wilpolt - banjo & vocals ; Dawn McConnell - violin ; David Cowan - accordion ; Bill Dick - violin on Old Soldier In The Barracks & Drawing Down The Moon ; Kim Gimbal - vocals.2004: St. Patick's Day Live (CD-R)
Saint Patrick's Day Live was recorded at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, Ca. March 17, 2002 and March 16, 2003. Recorded during Beltain's extended hiatus, Saint Patrick's Day Live features the band performing Irish songs and dances. Some of the set was issued on CD-R for St. Patrick's Day 2004. A little over a year later we booked time at Chico's new Electric Canyon Studio to make our first studio recordings in five years. As of April 2013 Saint Patrick's Day Live is no longer available from Beltain. All songs traditional except where noted. Saint Patrick / Planxty McBoing Boing / Wild Rover / Any Port Town (McDow) / A Tree Song (Kipling) / Danny Boy / Merrily Kiss The Quaker / The Last Country Waltz (McDow) / The Hills Of Connemara / The Boom Boom Polkas / Star Of The County Down / Scots Waltz / The Weaver & The Factory Maid / Band Introduction / Circle Of Light (McDow) / The Rights Of Man. Mikkel McDow - guitar & vocals ; Morgan McDow - bass, octave mandolin, recorder & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Rhiannon Hawk - Celtic harp, violin & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, panpipes, flutes, guitar & vocals.2005: Morgan McDow - A Medieval Feast (CD-R & downoad)
A Medieval Feast is a solo album by Morgan McDow featuring songs and dances written before the renaissance. All songs and dances are anonymous unless otherwise noted. Douce Dame Jolie (Machault) / Puisque Je Voys (De Lantins) / Tristan's Lament / La Rotta / Edi Beo Thu Hevene Queene / Quant Je Voi Yver / Rufty Tufty (traditional) / La Tricotea / Abbot's Bromley (traditional) / If All The World Were Paper (traditional) / Gathering Pescods (traditional) / Angelus Ad Virginem / The Nightwatch (Holborne) / Salterello / Alle Psallite / Nova Nova / Pucelete / Danse Royal / Momento Mori (traditional) / Once Twice Thrice (Purcell) / Pucelte (alternate mix) / la Rotta Explotta. All instruments and vocals by Morgan McDow.2006: Trebuchet (download)
Trebuchet is our loud electric album. It collects recordings from the summer 2000 sessions at Pro Sound Audio Services with songs recorded in 2005 and 2006 at Electric Canyon Studio. Trebuchet was originally issued in 2008 as a SNOCAP download. Further downloads with some additional songs were made available on bandcamp and reverbnation. As of April 2013 Trebuchet is no longer available from Beltain. Driftwood / The Butterfly (traditional) / Bedlam Boys (traditional) / The Rights Of Man (traditional) / Circle Of Light / Ancient In The Modern World / Castle Kelly (O'Carolan) / Drawing Down The Moon / The Wild Hunt (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Tall Trees (Hawk) / Trebuchet (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Mikkel McDow - guitar & vocals ; Morgan McDow ; bass, octave mandolin & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Rhiannon Hawk - Celtic harp, violin & vocals ; David Cowan - flutes & panpipes ; John Glick - slide guitar, percussion & vocals ; Brian Fredson - lead guitar.2008: Jongleur & Other Stories (download)
Jongleur & Other Stories collects the remaining songs from the 2005 and 2006 sessions at Electric Canyon Studio. The relative brevity of the program caused us to fill out the album with a set of O'Carolan harp pieces recorded in concert at Feather Falls Casino in 2002. As of April 2013 Jongleur & Other Stories is no longer available from Beltain. Jongleur / Hal N Toe (traditional) / Morenada de las Sapos (traditional) / The Last Country Waltz / Flor de Santa Vera Cruz (traditional) / (Living With Your) Pride / Billy Taylor / O'Carolan Suite (Turlock O'Carolan: live at Feather Falls Casino 2002) / The Weaver & The Factory Maid (traditional) / El Gato y la Pulga (traditional) / Wild Rover (traditional). Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; Morgan - bass, octave mandolin, recorders, bodhran & vocals ; David Cowan - panpipes, accordion, percussion & vocals ; J Boyd - drums ; Sue Carney - guitarria, renaissance recorder, bodhran & vocals.2009: Palimpsest (A Recollection: 1993 - 2006) (CD & download)
Palimpsest (A Recollection: 1993-2006)collects the most popular songs from our previous albums onto one CD. Wild Rover (download only) / The Jolly Highwayman / The Morning Dew (Reels) (traditional arr. McConnell download only) / Far Between (You & Me) (acoustic mix) / Uncle John's Band (Garcia-Hunter CD only) / Jongleur / Douce Dame Jolie (Machault) / Any Port Town / Dance The Magic Round (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Drawing Down The Moon (abridged) / Circle Of Light (video mix) / (Living With Your) Pride (download only) / Bedlam Boys (traditional) / Wild In The West (video mix) / Billy Taylor (traditional) / Kilmainham Gaol (abridged) / Trebuchet (abridged) (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Evergreen.2011: Yuletide (CD-R & download)
Yuletide,originally a four song ep,is Beltain's solstice album. It is chock full of wassail, dancing and drinking songs. Mostly recorded in 2010 Yuletide does include a few things that later turned up on Buttons & Bells. We don't think that detracts from the enjoyment of this album though, especially since Yuletide is only available upon the winter solstice. All songs traditional except where noted. Christmas Is A Comin' (Morgan McDow) / Bud & Blossom / Somerset Wassail / Annie's Fancy (David Cowan) / Trunkles / Lads A Bunchem / Tarleton's Goodnight / The Happy Man / The Blue Eyed Stranger / Puisque Je Voy / As Snow Falls (McDow) / John Barleycorn (live version) / Sleights Sword Dance / Morris Off / Hey Diddle Dis. Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, recorders, button accordion, morris bells, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, guitar, hammered dulcimer & vocals.2012: Buttons & Bells (CD-R & download)
Buttons & Bells collects highlights from our Four By Three and Morricide eps, the original Yuletide ep, and a new song recorded in 2011. All songs and dances are traditional. The Happy Man / Morris Call / Morris On / Lads A Bunchem / Reynardine (extended version) / The Blue Eyed Stranger / Lovely Joan / Young Collins / London Pride / Somerset Wassail / Trunkles / Bud & Blossom / Un Deux Trois / Captain Kidd / English Country Garden / John Barleycorn / Sleights Sword Dance / Morris Off. Morgan McDow - octave mandolin, button accordion, bass, side drum, recorders & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, bass & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, flutes, panpipes, guitar & vocals. Note: early versions of this album were issued in 2011 under the titles English Country Garden and The Girt Dog Of Langport.2012: Patchwork Quilt (EP) (CD-R & download)
Patchwork Quilt was originally a full length album featuring twelve original compositions. Upon reflection many of them were deemed unsuitable for the band. Some are currently available on Mik Dow's Skullduggery ep. The Patchwork Quilt ep features four of the most popular tunes from the original album in brand new mixes and with some overdubs here and there. All songs by Mikkel McDow except where noted. Patchwork Quilt / The Price Of Love / Bad Alchemy / Safe Harbors (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - bass, recorders, bongos, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, drums & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, panpipes, cana, Irish flute & vocals ; Chris Kemp - vibes on The Price Of Love ; Collin Wiley - cello on Safe Harbors.2012: Living Room Only (CD-R)
Living Room Only is Beltain's most recent live album. Recorded at a house concert in Van Nuys, Ca. November 2011 Living Room Only presents our current set on a good night in front a great crowd. The audio was recorded on a digital Zoom recorder. A digital video recording of the concert also exists. All songs traditional except where noted. Patchwork Quilt (McDow) / Somerset Wassail / Reynardine / John Barleycorn / Captain Kidd / Bud & Blossom / Un Deux Trois / The Happy Man / English Country Garden / El Gato y la Pulga / On Top Of The World (McDow) / The Underwater Chantey (Mikkel & Morgan McDow) / Strike The Bell / Bad Alchemy (McDow) / Safe Harbors (Mikkel & Morgan McDow). Morgan McDow - bass, recorders, bongos, side drum & vocals ; Mikkel McDow - guitar, mandolin, drums & vocals ; David Cowan - accordion, cana, panpipes, Irish flute & vocals.
Any Port Town (electric version) b/w Kilmainham Gaol
from the Beltain cassette demo
1993
no longer available
Evergreen b/w Far Between (You & Me) (alternate acoustic mix)
from Beltain 1995
no longer available
I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love b/w The Kesh Jigs (recorded live April 28, 1996)
from Too Hot In The Kitchen 1996
no longer available
The Jolly Highwayman (single version) b/w Robin Was A Reckless Lad
from The Jolly Highwayman cassette demo
1997
no longer available
Wild In The West b/w Trouble In Mind
from the Wild In The West ep
1998
no longer available
Dance The Magic Round b/w Drawing Down The Moon (mp3 edit)
from Merry Begot
1999
no longer available
The Wild Hunt b/w Ancient In The Modern World (alternate mix)
from the Time Of The Assassins ep
2001
no longer available
Douce Dame Jolie b/w Tarleton's Goodnight (available on Yuletide but not A Medieval Feast)
from A Medieval Feast by Morgan McDow
2005
no longer available
Trebuchet (single version) b/w Bedlam Boys
from Trebuchet
2006
no longer available
Jongleur b/w Billy Taylor
from Jongleur & Other Stories
2007
no longer available
(Living With Your) Pride (single version) b/w Circle Of Light
from Jongleur & Other Stories
2008
no longer available
Reynardine (single version) b/w The Underwater Chantey
from the Four by Three ep 2010
Re-issued March 2013 with a new mix of The Underwater Chantey
Bad Alchemy b/w Safe Harbors
from the Patchwork Quilt ep
2012
no longer available
The Price Of Love b/w Any Port Town (In Jamaica) (currently available on Mik Dow's Skullduggery ep)
from Patchwork Quilt ep
2012
no longer available
I'll Drink To Scotland No More b/w Gathering Pescods (single version) / La Bastraigne / I Am A Maid Who's Deep In Love (single version)
from Country Matters 2013
Rode Hard & Put Away Wet (single version) b/w The Hawk / Rode Hard & Put Away Wet
2013
