Keith & Joan Pitzer: “Gathering Stones”

It is a rare disc that draws the listener into a convergance of truth and tradition, lament and joy. Gathering Stones, the last recording Keith would make, speaks of and to the cycles of life. This is a work of passion, whose songs chronicle a reverence and lust for life delivered with a palpably strong sense of place. "Farmers and Fishermen" marks the passing of two essential lifestyles, already lost to most of us. “Jenny” tells of traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway soon after it was built, along the way finding bootleg whiskey, a lovely young waitress, and reason to sing about the journey. “Home Ranger” speaks of the simple ideals of home and righteousness through the reminiscences of childhood cowboy games. Keith and Joan touch other bases as well: the loneliness of separation, bittersweet lessons learned from looking back at life, and finding satisfaction when times are hard. Subdued harmonies, brilliant musicianship and pensive lyrics make for a rich and sometimes surprising palette of colors, from which Keith and Joan gracefully paint this sublime collection of stories.