There's a lovely note, almost hidden in the liner notes to A Letter Home, in which Athena Tergis dedicates the album to her newborn daughter, Vivienne Cassandra Bollag, "who came into this world during its making."

"Recording these tunes took on new meaning, knowing she was listening to every note from within me," Athena wrote. It's a sweet sentiment, and it imbues the album with a little extra sheen for listeners, too.

Athena, according to her website, was born in New York City and raised in San Francisco. She learned Suzuki style violin at an early age, then moved on to Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School, where she learned from Buddy MacMaster, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Fraser himself. She lived for a while in Ireland and ended up touring with Sharon Shannon. Later, she starred in a Las Vegas production of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and in a Broadway production of Riverdance. She also toured with saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, then with banjo player Mick Moloney in Green Fields of America.

So, she's got the chops.

A Letter Home is a solo album, and on it she displays a delicate touch and perfect intonation -- her fingers and bow seemingly dance across the strings. Although Athena's fiddle is central to each of its 14 tracks, she's brought on board a number of talented supporting musicians, including John Doyle on guitar and bouzouki, Sharon Shannon and Bill McComiskey on accordions, Liz Carroll on fiddle and Natalie Haas on cello.

According to Athena's website, she's lived for the past decade in Tuscany, Italy, where she and her husband own a winery. She doesn't appear to be touring at present. I certainly hope she hasn't given up music entirely!

Huh ... it just occurred to me that Vivienne is probably in high school by now. I hope she's doing well, and making music with her mom!

[ visit Athena Tergis online ]