Musica Sierra: GARDEN

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Submitted by Dennis Russo on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 13:59

Musica Sierra’s Garden is a wonderful, folksy family collection of songs born from the vision of rural Californian songwriter Owen McIntosh, who brought together the talents of two Grammy-nominated ensembles:

The Nightbirds – Jade Hendrix (vocals), Ashley Hoyer (mandolin), Samantha Harvey (accordion)
Fire & Grace – William Coulter (guitar, penny whistle, bodhrán), Edwin Huizinga (violin)

Together, these gifted musicians bring Owen’s songs vividly to life. The music asks us to slow down, listen, reflect, and—most importantly—enjoy. As a whole, the album tells the story of a garden’s life cycle: from seed to harvest, from spring and summer to fall.

Owen, himself a three-time Grammy-nominated artist, has written songs that, paired with the arrangements and musicianship of his collaborators, reflect the very essence of a garden—growth, change, and the passing of the seasons. As the album unfolds, you can feel this natural progression taking shape.

Listening, I often found myself transported to the Irish countryside, picturing a sprawling farm with a stone cottage and slate roof. Perhaps this is due to the instrumentation—mandolin, violin, penny whistle, accordion—all of which evoke the folk traditions of that land. Or perhaps it’s simply the romantic in me.

From the opening track “Dawn,” the album sets a mood of fun and peace. The interplay of guitar and mandolin is bright and plucky, soon joined by violin and accordion, giving the song a light, airy quality.

“Grow,” the second track, quickly became a favorite of mine. Its vocals are reminiscent of Laurie Berkner—both in lyric and style—and I mean that as the highest praise. The song beautifully captures the feeling of a garden just beginning to sprout.

Track after track is a pleasure to listen to, thanks in no small part to the excellent recording quality. Each instrument has a distinct texture, and the vocals feel refreshingly human and heartfelt.

Another standout for me—perhaps my favorite overall—is “Dream On.” No, not the Aerosmith rocker, but a gentle, soothing piece with vocals and accordion that feel like a lullaby, perfect for drifting off to sleep.

While each song can be enjoyed on its own, I found the album most rewarding when listened to in order. The sequence captures the change of the seasons, allowing the listener to experience the garden’s journey from seed to harvest. The closing track, “Harvest,” is a joyful instrumental that perfectly bookends the album. You can almost feel the crisp autumn air and the early-setting sun as it plays.

Musica Sierra itself was created by Lindsey McIntosh, alongside her husband Owen, who also serves as Co-Artistic Director. Together, they launched the Musical Heritage Series, of which Garden is the fifth in a visionary seven-album commission. The series is guided by the belief that music can deepen empathy for our world and foster eco-literacy and environmental stewardship.

Though I haven’t yet listened to the other albums in the series, I can honestly say that Garden is a shining example of what this project aims to achieve. It is a beautiful, accessible album that families of all ages can enjoy together.

Heartily recommended.

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