1. Rockin' Out on Star Island
music trad. sea chantey / words Diane Taraz, 2015
For this LOAS II musicale favorite I adapted the chantey Johnny Come Down to Hilo, whose original lyrics include "Those Hilo girls they dress so fine, they ain't got Jesus on their mind." Sing along!
2. Chickens and Bears Diane Taraz, 2020
There is a tradition at Star of leaping into the ocean at dawn. The people who do this are known as Polar Bears. The people who do not do it are known as Polar Chickens. The Chief Polar Bear recruits victims, keeps a proud tally of participation, and distributes useless trinkets. I decided we needed a Chief Polar Chicken and stepped bravely into the role. I oversee a determined lack of initiative and bestow lanyards on my fellow chickens, who are delighted to be recognized for their good sense. The badges on the lanyards say "Odi frigida aqua," or "I hate cold water." Despite their constitutional differences, chickens and bears coexist happily on Star. There are even mixed marriages, like my own, a man who dips and a woman who roosts.
3. The Sea-Serpent of Cape Ann Diane Taraz, 2003
Spotted for centuries near Gloucester, "His Snakeship," as the great beastie was called by a local newspaper, has not been seen lately. Perhaps he, or she, is on vacation.
4. Your Truest Friend music Trad. Irish, words Diane Taraz, 2013
New words for the beloved Air from County Derry, from the perspective of decades of marriage.
5. The Sandpiper Celia Thaxter, 1864 / music Diane Taraz, 2020
I created a melody for Celia's wistful poem, about her fondness for a fellow Shoals beachcomber. Billy Novick flits and chirps on whistle. (The printed notes in the CD package give the wrong dates; I have complained to the management.)
6. What Is the Wind? music trad. Scots / words Diane Taraz, 2011
Inspired by decades of swallows and sunsets.
7. Your Birthday Song Diane Taraz, 2019
Yes, it's your birthday song, and there's no escape, it WILL be sung.
8. Why, Oh Why, Are There Mosquitoes? Diane Taraz, 2015
And why are there so very, very many on Star Island? The swallows snag them out to the air by the ton, but there are still plenty left about which to complain.
9. Good-Bye, Sweet Day! Celia Thaxter, 1880 / Kate Vannah, 1879
Kate's setting of Celia's ode to the sunset has been echoing over the Isles of Shoals (and elsewhere) for 140 years. John Yannis beautifully evokes whale-oil lamps and the rustle of silk skirts with his classic piano accompaniment. No fainting, please.
10. Lift Up Your Lanterns trad. Welsh, The Ash Grove / words Diane Taraz, 1999
A song for walking up the rocky path to the island chapel, built in 1800. The candlelit lanterns are the only light on the way and in the little stone sanctuary.
11. Normandy trad. Irish, words Diane Taraz, 1989
A meditation on our connectedness and what lies behind the veil existence.
12. Silver the Moon Diane Taraz, 1993
A lullaby for sleepy Shoalers, young and old, drifting off to the gentle buoy bells and the song of the lighthouse.