Hallowell [LP]

Hallowell is modern sacred music from Vermont by Joseph Pensak, his first project since Come, O Spirit!, Bifrost Arts' seminal record, which featured vocals by indie rock luminaries Laura Gibson, Damien Jurado, J. Tillman (Father John Misty), David Bazan, Rosie Thomas, Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) and more. Hallowell's debut record was recorded at Studio 150 in Burlington, Vermont with multi-instrumentalist Christopher Hawthorn and over 20 accompanying musicians. All strings were performed by TURNmusic, a Vermont based chamber music collective led and conducted by Anne Decker. This collaboration with TURNmusic widened to include composer Kyle Saulnier, who wrote string arrangements for "Golden in Spring" and "You Take It All," with Christopher Hawthorn contributing arrangements for "The Wreath," "Tho' Dark Be My Way," "Another World," and "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior. " François "Officer" Clemmons, of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, sings vocals on "Another World. " Guest vocals on "Soul Adorn Yourself with Gladness" are by the Vermont trio Fall Like Cats (Becca Booth, Abigail Keegan and Lydia Koch). Almost very other song features harmony vocals by Laura Heaberlin, of the hyper-literate chamber folk band Cricket Blue. All horns were played by Taylor Smith, Nate Reit and Christopher Hawthorn.