Garden is the fifth in the Musical Headwaters series by Musica Sierra, a Northern California-based (Loyalton) arts organization headed up by Owen and Lindsay McIntosh. Quoting their website:

 “With roots running deep in rural California, songwriter Owen McIntosh channels his lifelong bond with the earth into an immersive, heartfelt tribute to the land that shaped him, weaving together the cycles of growth, care, and renewal found in a garden. Grammy-nominated ensembles Fire & Grace and The Nightbirds join forces, blending their styles to bring the garden to life with mandolin, violin, guitar, and vocals in this truly one-of-a-kind offering for children and families.”

The first time I listened to Garden, I didn’t realize it was intended for kids (and their families), so the music is definitely suitable for any age group. There is a lot of variety in the music, which ranges from folk to Celtic to soul to just plain fun and inspirational. The album invites listeners of any age to slow down, observe, wonder and grow as it tells the story of a garden’s seasons as well as the cycles of life in the soil beneath our feet, the air that we breathe and the food that we eat. In addition to the album, Musica Sierra offers a Musical Field Journal which includes song lyrics, illustrations by 15-year-old artist James Burns, and places to write and draw - a great package for families to enjoy and share (as well as learn from!). Jade Hendrix provides the vocals; Ashley Hoyer is co-composer and co-arranger and also plays mandolin; Edwin Huizinga plays violin; William Coulter plays guitar, bodhran and pennywhistle; and Samantha Harvey plays accordion.

Garden begins with “Dawn,” a bright and lively instrumental that features violin, mandolin, guitar and accordion, setting the mood of the album. “Grow” is a cheerful song that compares the life cycle of seeds to the cycle of life itself. “Fly the Coop,” a lively instrumental with a “downhome” flavor, tells a story of chickens getting loose and a gardener chasing them out of the garden - try sitting still while listening this one! “Sunflower Sky” is a beautiful ballad that encourages diversity and acceptance. The instrumental “Drought” takes a somewhat darker turn as farmers worry about their crops and the lack of water. Edwin Huizinga’s violin playing is amazing on this one - expressive, poignant and masterful. “Give” urges sharing the results of your hard work whether it’s the crops in your garden or another endeavor. “Dream On” is a sweet lullaby for the garden during the winter months as it rejuvenates for the following season. The instrumental “Waltz” is a graceful Irish dance suitable for any time of the year. The almost funky “Dig It” is a soulful expression of the joy of gardening that advises “The world’s a garden, dig it! You never know what you will find.” The closing track is a lively instrumental called “Harvest” that’s a bright, lively and very danceable expression of joy.

What a great album Garden is! It is available from Apple Music/iTunes, Bandcamp, and streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!