A song about loss, regret, and personal resolve, reflecting on the tragedy of Sept. 11

Songs of Hope and Freedom

Halley's Comet

A slightly rocked-up version of the Peter, Paul & Mary classic from the 1980s, in full 3-part harmony, with a driving rhythm but not too heavy.

Light One Candle

(4:59) G. McKeveny  Slow and very spiritual. Gerry writes:
A good friend’s Dad was in the habit of answering the question, “How’s it goin’?” with “Great. It’s a good day to be above ground.” After he passed I wanted to write a song using the line that would serve almost as a prayer to help me practice gratitude – an area in which I tend to need a fair amount of practice!

Good Day To Be Above Ground

An upbeat, driving cover of Peter, Paul & Mary's Chanukah classic from the 1980s, which starts out as a Chanukah song but expands to a memorable ode to the importance and value of freedom, and the great lengths, hardships and sacrifices people throughout history have endured.

An ecumenical, non-denominational, all-inclusive holiday song, with a hopeful, uplifting message that isn't TOO sentimental. Written by Stuart Markus

A Light In The Darkness

A uniquely arranged version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic

Old Friends

Upbeat and bouncy, in full ‘60s pop mode, with drums and Rickenbacker 12-string. Stu says, "This is one I’d long had in the back of my mind to do; hopefully we’re never too old to relate to the exuberance of falling in love!"

You Were On My Mind

Mid-tempo, rich in harmonies, sparse in guitar arrangement, philosophical and universal in its approach to ending a relationship that has run its course. Stu says: “This was a song we discovered we all loved, and most of us have been there at some point. You don’t have to hate someone who’s no longer in love with you.”

If You Could Read My Mind

Another holiday classic, sparsely interpreted with just two guitars and sparse harmony voices. As somber and pensive as the lonely feeling at the holidays it speaks to.

River

As hard a rocker as one might find from any band called “folk,” with drum set and electric instruments prominent, splitting the difference between Simon & Garfunkels’ original and the Bangles’ 1989 thrasher.

Hazy Shade Of Winter

Mid-tempo, all acoustic with a light touch on percussion and a lot of harmony, an appeal to unity for a divided nation and society.

Get Together

Slower and thoughtful, like a yawn and stretch and glass of something relaxing after a long, hard day of work. Stu says: “In an age where the pressure and temptation are to be online every waking hour, even answering office emails from home, I like this song’s reminder of our right and need to have downtime.”

Hurry Sundown

Words from the Bible, via Pete Seeger an upbeat start to the album on the ‘rock’ side of folk-rock. Complete with drums and jangly, 12-string electric guitar, but with harmony increased from 2- to 3-part. Stu says, “Life and history are cyclical, and these ancient words remind us that we’ve been through this before, which can be a depressing thought, but also a hopeful one.”

Turn Turn Turn

Start with the spirit of Peter, Paul & Mary; add the vocal complexity of Crosby, Stills & Nash, throw in a bit of the Byrds and a jot of Joni Mitchell, and you have Gathering Time – a head-turning harmony trio that WFUV's John Platt calls "among the top performers in the New York metropolitan area," and which was voted one of "Long Island's Best" in a Long Island Press readers' poll. 

With their seamless vocal blend, precision guitar playing and inspired percussion, Stuart Markus, Hillary Foxsong and Gerry McKeveny display deep roots in 1960s folk and folk-rock, with a healthy dose of traditional folk in the mix. Their stage chemistry makes it clear that they take the music (if not themselves) very seriously, with an infectious energy that wins over even fans who never considered themselves folkies. 

Bob McKillop of MaineFolkMusic.com writes, "Gathering Time ... has perfected two separate but related art forms: three part harmony and having a ball on stage! When they harmonize, some sort of fundamental, cosmic concordance occurs that makes you very happy that you have ears.” 

WFUV's John Platt adds that they are "among the finest performers in the New York metropolitan area, whatever the size of the venue, from a house concert to an outdoor festival," with "harmonies that can charm the birds out of the trees, strong original songs, and a savvy repertoire of cover songs, ranging from traditional folk to classic rock. They appeal to audiences of all ages." 

From Tricentric showcases at NERFA 2009 and 2010 and a Formal showcase in 2011 to an Emerging Artist showcase at Falcon Ridge 2012 at which they were voted "Most Wanted" to return in 2013, it's clear that word has begun to spread. 

Chance encounters led to the group's formation in the summer of 2006; their first release, a remake of Peter Yarrow's "Light One Candle" in 2007, received international airplay and is still a staple of Chanukah radio. Since then, they have released three full CDs, Songs of Hope and Freedom (2009), Red Apples and Gold (#5 on the Folk DJ chart for Oct., 2012), and the recently released When One Door Closes... . 

The reaction of the New Jersey Folk Project's Margaret Crowl, who emceed the trio opening for Aztec Two-Step, is typical: ""Isn't it a great thing about folk music, that you can come to a venue ... see a band you've never heard of, and get blown away?!" 

In March, 2013, Gathering Time welcomed Long Island music veteran Gerry McKeveny, who brings even greater heights of guitar wizardry to the group's signature vocal sound. 


Popular tracks by GatheringTime