There are now six volumes of recorded music for Gary's English country dances, four from the original Friends series, plus Fast Friends, which is Volume 15 in the continuing Bare Necessities series, and now the newest, Mr. Roodman's Fancies.   In all cases, the music is played by superbly talented musicians working in a variety of combinations to create all kinds of moods, styles, and flavors for our enjoyment.  On some cuts, you can just see them frolicking; on others, you can visualize a serious chamber ensemble blending its sounds beautifully.  (You can hear sound bites below.)  All the tunes are played at dance length and tempo.  The liner notes give lots of detail about each dance � formation, music sources, key and time signatures, number of times through, and overall time.  You will find listings below of which dances are on which CDs.   There is enough variety on each CD to build a whole program around.  Or you may just enjoy listening to the CDs in the car, or while you are making supper, or cleaning house, or dancing around the living room in your PJs.

To order these CDs and companion books, you may go straight to Ordering.
SPECIAL DEAL: Buy any CD and companion book and get a Band of Friends CD and book free!

The Fabulous Musicians!

OLD FRIENDS and NEW FRIENDS

Left to right: Margaret Ann Martin, Mary Lea, Gene Murrow, Barbara Greenberg, Jonathan Jensen, Daniel Beerbohm (Thanks to photographer, Carolyn Klinger)

BAND OF FRIENDS

Jessica Murrow, Peter Barnes	Erica Morse, Anna Patton, Naomi Morse	Van Kaynor, lydia ievins
Mary Lea, Margaret Ann Martin	Gary (who played no instrument), Karen Axelrod	Gene Murrow, Doug Creighton

FAST FRIENDS

Left to right: Peter Barnes, Jacqueline Schwab, Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis

GOOD FRIENDS   and   MR. ROODMAN'S FANCIES

Left to right: Kate Barnes, Karen Axelrod, Mary Lea

The Actual Music
Click on the titles to hear a little of each tune.

Audrey and Andrea Benjamin's Birth Day Cadgers' Other Caper Fine Lady of Homewood Good Man of Cambridge The Homecoming Laisteridge Lane Marching to Praetorius A New Beginning Old Friends A Retiring Fellow Sarah Trip to the Manors True Kit Twenty Something Winter Dreams The Wrights of Lichfield	Accord for Pinewoods  Birthday Greetings Dancing Wife Designing Woman Double Duet Dovetail Emma Turns Three Henry's Hornpipe Horseplay Kneeland Romp Mary K New Friends Peter and Peggy Stockport Assembly Terpsicourante Turning By Threes	After Dinner Maggot Alexander's Birth Day Band of Friends Birthday Branle   Charlene's Celebration   Dear Abby Far Away Hand in Hand Honeysuckle Cottage Mr. Adson's Masque Playing (in) the Field Say I Do Square Line Special Vivaldi in Paradise Whately Barn Whiskey Before Dinner	Apollo's Hunt Belle of Amherst, The Celt's New Dance, A Christine     Fast Friends     Helene's Gavotte Hideaway Joy(ce) of the Town Midwinter Maggot Mr. Chopin's Waltz Peace and Plenty Ramblin' Rosie A Solstice Snow Stride Stately Trip to Greene	Ani's Waltz Anna Turns Five Autumn Moon Birthday Jubilee Forget Me Not Fostering Traditions Good Man of Antwerp The Invitation Leaps and Bounds Mevagissey Car Park A Mover and Shaker New Hampshire Nocturne Nina's Smile A Quick Romp in the Hey Silver Lining Trip to Chippenham	Bell Tower Bouree Belle of Greensboro California Sunshine Capital Lads The Cressons Double Jubilee Father's Day Fret and Rejoice Johnson City Circle Land of Mist and Wonder Lichfield's Ruby Surprise Memorial Day Mr. Handel's Gigue Mr. Roodman's Fancy Three's Company Trip to Stonington

Companion Books

All of the dances on the CDs have appeared in one of Gary's thirteen books or are available on this web site (see New Dances and Old), but these CD-specific books are also available.  They reprint the instructions and the teaching tips for all the dances on their respective CDs (the sheet music is not included).   These books are a convenient way to have complete packages, but if you have the other books, you really don't need these.

Here's what people said about Old Friends

"Old Friends is a winner.  Great tunes, played with vitality, wonderful contrast, clear phrasing, delightful humor and general cheerfulness.  Whimsical and informative liner notes.  Attractive appearance."  --- Marshall Barron, New Haven, CT "The playing is superb throughout.  The variety of instrumentation and the sheer professionalism make this a recording you will want to listen, as well as dance, to.  It's eminently danceable throughout, with some magical moments and very sensitive playing."  --- Colin Hume, Letchworth, England "This CD sets a new standard for English country dance recordings."  --- Mary Conser, Amherst, MA "The artistry of the musicians is outstanding.  Gary selects very interesting music to begin with, but what these folks do with it is just marvelous.  The track of "Good Man of Cambridge" is worth the cost of the whole CD!  Hats off to Mary Lea, Gene Murrow, Margaret Ann Martin, Dan Beerbohm, Barbara Greenberg, & Jonathan Jensen!"  ---Margherita Davis, Hudson and New York, NY "This CD makes a great gift even for people who don't dance.  I am buying them for all my friends."  ---Richard Brown, Conklin, NY "Old Friends looks and sounds great!  Susan's liner notes are great.  I appreciate both the comments and the amount of detail on each dance and tune.  [This CD] is a gift to the world of country dancing."   ---Brad Foster, Amherst, MA "[Old Friends] is totally wonderful!  We love it!!  Everyone did such a good job with it."  ---Mary Devlin, Portland, OR "What a superb CD of music!  We particularly like the clever arrangements and the variety given by the different combinations of instruments.  The best description for "The Good Man of Cambridge" is WOW!  We are sure that if Mozart had known, he would have written more dance tunes for you folks."  ---David and Kathryn Wright, Lichfield, England "I clean house to this CD.  It gives me energy."  ---Barbara Kaufman, Binghamton, NY

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