Strangest Dream

'`The album title is inspired by Molasses Creek’s arrangement of Steven Still’s “Find the Cost of Freedom,” and Ed McCurdy’s “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.” Both songs address the issue of our nation’s involvement in global conflict. Gary and Kitty Mitchell were able to attend the peace march in Washington a couple of weekends ago where they handed out advance copies of the recordings in support of the movement for America’s peaceful presence in the world. Along with new originals by Gary Mitchell and Fiddler Dave Tweedie, Molasses Creek also covers a version of Phil Rosenthal’s “Muddy Water,” a song that many may remember from the wonderful band Seldom Scene. Although the recording of this song occurred early in the year, the track gained new meaning with the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Fans will rejoice to hear Molasses Creek’s version of “When You Say Nothing At All,” lead by Gary Mitchell. Kitty Mitchell adds her own touch on a classic Carter family song, “Are You Tired of Me My Darling.” The album also has a light hearted side with the adapted poem “The Worried Skipper,” by Wallace Irvin, set to music by Fiddler Dave. The piece is a dialog between a skipper and his mate, one who always views the glass as half full and the other half empty. “Chicken in the Fridge” has also been a Molasses Creek audience favorite this last season. Mrs. Kitty’s skillful chicken-like protestations will have listeners . . . well. . . doing the chicken dance thing in the aisles. Gerald Hampton joins Molasses Creek (as he frequently does on tour), lending some hot mandolin picking to the tracks and heading up his own original instrumental, “Category 2,” written while awaiting news of landfall of Hurricane Isabel on Ocracoke. Percussionist Jubal Creech, dobroist Lou Castro, and cellist Emily DeVan round out the instruments on the album.