Parallel Universe is an eclectic collection of songs created by award winning musicians Thomasina Levy (mt. dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, hang drum) and David Darling (cello.) GRAMMY Award Winner, David Darling, is a maverick cellist who has released music in multiple genres- including jazz, pop, rock, country and New Age. His evocative, breakthrough compositions for cello have earned him respect from experimental and jazz musicians across the globe. Thomasina Levy, Connecticut State Troubadour 2005/2006 is an award-winning musician (2011 NAMA Award for Best Song/Single of the Year) whose performances weave together the best of traditional and contemporary folk music. Her music has been aired in over twenty countries across the globe. Described as a charismatic performer, she touches audiences with a simplicity, humanity, and strength drawn from the deep roots of the folk tradition. The instruments on Parallel Universe include cello, mountain dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, hang drum, flute, Native American flute, steel pedal, percussion, electric bass and piano. This album spans across genres in order to create and elicit deep responses from its listening audience.

This diverse collection of music is the result of Thomasina falling off a ladder and injuring her knee. This injury forced her to sit in a chair for 6 months which resulted in her learning how to play the hammer dulcimer. As she began to compose music on it she kept hearing a cello accompanying the music. She approached her teacher, friend and neighbor, David Darling and asked if he wanted to create an album with her and of course, he said, “yes.” Thus, Parallel Universe is now a reality. The music on this album ranges from New Age to Celtic to Folk to Native American to Classical. What connects all these diverse genres is Thomasina’s passion for music and its power to bring people together.

Many of the original compositions in this album are inspired by the world around her in New England. Her favorite track on the album is Crossing to Inisheer. Years ago, she was in Ireland with her family on a ferryboat crossing to the island of Inisheer. As she leaned over the side of the boat, the notes to this melody came to her right out of the Irish Sea. She immediately bought a tin whistle so she could remember the melody when she got home. Over the years, she tried to play it on the mountain dulcimer, but it never sounded quite right on it. Once she learned to play the hammer dulcimer it was the first song she arranged on it. This haunting melody truly evokes the mystery and beauty of Ireland.  Our Love Is is a song Thomasina wrote as a Valentine gift for her husband, Steven. Its lyrics can be found on her website. The hang drum piece of O My Soul, is a Christmas song that puts listeners into a horse-drawn sleigh on a snowy New England day. Lyrics can be found on her website. When Thomasina played The Fairy Hills for her husband he said, “It sounds like fairies!” This traditional Irish air was composed by Tulough O’Carolan, the blind Irish harper who lived from 1670 to 1738. The original Celtic words to it tell the story of the conflict between two fairy communities who lived in neighboring hills. Walk in Beauty includes an original composed verse as well as the traditional Native American song Walk in Beauty, which includes the evocative Native American flute sounds played by the late Joseph Firecrow. Parallel Universe is titled thus because the song consists of L-shaped chords played on her four-stringed mt. dulcimer that are tuned to parallel fifths (hello mt. dulcimer players!) Butternut Brook is a small stream that flows behind her house in Connecticut.

The all-star musicians on Parallel Universe are accomplished in many fields. Sarah Swersey (flute) has enlivened the great concert halls of Europe and America, performing as a featured soloist. Grammy nominated Joseph Firecrow (Native American flute) was one of the top Native American flute players in the world. Bass player, Dave Anderson, has performed with world-class artists including Blood Sweat & Tears, Art Garfunkel, Smokey Robinson, etc. Gordon Titcomb (steel pedal and mandolin) has recorded and performed with Paul Simon, Arlo Guthrie, Shawn Colvin, Hank Williams (to name a few.) Percussionist extraordinaire, Ken Lovelett (Sonart Studios), changed Thomasina’s playing style by teaching her about drumming and percussion when she took a week long workshop with him. Ken has recorded and toured with musical greats like Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, James Taylor, Spyro Gyra etc. Mr. One-man orchestra, Tom White (guitar, fiddle, tin whistle, wooden flute, spoons, bazouki) produced and recorded her first CDs on Wizmak, his now-defunct folk label. Joe Grieco (piano) is a stellar pianist who has been performing with national acts for over 35 years. Julie Cook (piano) is a pianist, vocal improvisation facilitator and teacher who brings out the best in her students.

Parallel Universe is truly a testament to the joy that results from the collaborative process when artists are allowed to create and express themselves through the enigmatic power of music. Enjoy.