Born in Kansas to an Episcopalian minister and largely self-taught as a composer, Moondog wrote dozens of beautiful songs, madrigals, and symphonies which drew inspiration from classical, jazz, Native American music, Latin American music, and Indian ragas. Blinded as a teenager, he moved to New York City in the late 40s and lived there until 1972, during which time he was often found on 6th Avenue appearing in a cloak and horned helmet by thousands of passersby and residents unaware of his musical career. He became an underground folk hero in New York City after he signed with Columbia and released his 1969 record Moondog. He moved to Germany in the 70s and lived there until his death in 1999.

Ghost Train Orchestra and Kronos Quartet recorded before and during the pandemic to bring to life new vivid arrangements of Moondog’s music by musical director Brian Carpenter and members of Ghost Train Orchestra Matt Bauder, David Cossin, Curtis Hasselbring, Andy Laster, and Maxim Moston. These new arrangements provide a new vision into the world of Moondog, expanding the darkness, beauty, and humor in the original pieces (in some cases originally written for solo piano and newly arranged for orchestra.)

Songs and Symphoniques combines brilliant instrumentals with beautiful songs and madrigals featuring a diverse cast of guest vocalists including Sam Amidon and Aoife O’Donovan, who had previously collaborated with Carpenter on Kronos’ Long Time Passing (2019), Joan Wasser and Karen Mantler, both of whom performed with Ghost Train Orchestra in NYC prior to the recordings, Marissa Nadler, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp fame, acclaimed singer and songwriter Rufus Wainwright, and the extraordinary vocalist Petra Haden, known for her striking a cappella works.

SELECT CREDITS
GHOST TRAIN ORCHESTRA
Brian Carpenter – trumpet, arranger
Curtis Hasselbring – trombone, arranger
Ron Caswell – tuba
Andy Laster – alto saxophone, flute, arranger
Matt Bauder – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, arranger
Colin Stetson – bass saxophone
Dennis Lichtman – clarinet
Sara Schoenbeck – bassoon
Brandon Seabrook – guitar
Chris Lightcap – double bass, bass guitar
Rob Garcia – drums, percussion
David Cossin – marimba, percussion
Maxim Moston – violin, arranger

KRONOS QUARTET:
David Harrington – violin
John Sherba – violin
Hank Dutt – viola
Sunny Yang – cello

Produced by Brian Carpenter
Engineered by Zach Miley, Aaron Nevezie, and Marc Urselli
Mixed by John Kilgore and Brian Montgomery
Mastered by Bob Ludwig
Lure Design – design and layout
Cantaloupe Records 2023