A new CD of Manx music for mountain dulcimer is available in IOM shops just in time for Christmas, courtesy of Carol Walker, a retired American high school choral teacher. Fifteen arrangements for Appalachian mountain dulcimer that featured in her book ‘Tailless Tunes - Traditional Tunes from the Isle of Man’ can be heard on a lovely new CD called ‘Alas! The Horse Is Gone’. The CDs could already be purchased online, but shipping costs from the US may have deterred some people. Carol solved that by bringing some CDs with her on a recent trip to the Island in a break on her blues guitarist husband’s UK tour. Together with Toby, she arrived literally just in time to enjoy Hop tu Naa celebrations at Thie ny Gaelgey in St Judes and was delighted to witness at first hand the living traditions including turnip lantern competition, singing and dancing. Carol also found time for interviews with Manx Radio and 3FM and met up with Charles Guard and the Manx Heritage Foundation’s Music Team who had assisted her in her research for the book. As a trained teacher, she was very keen to see how the Music Team’s education officer, Dr Chloe Woolley, was teaching Manx music in the classroom. Luckily her visit coincided with a 6 week whistle programme called ‘Feddan’ and so a visit to Onchan School was arranged. Carol played her mountain dulcimer and Toby his guitar to delighted pupils. With a quick trip to study the original Manx music manuscripts by late 19th century collectors in the archives of Manx National Heritage Library, Carol’s trip proved very successful and rewarding. Copies of Carol’s CD ‘Alas! the Horse is Gone’ are now available in museum and most good bookshops. The CD features fifteen tunes from her book played beautifully by Carol on mountain dulcimer, harp, piano, melodica, upright bass, and vocals. Other musicians who feature on several tracks include her husband, Toby Walker and Brian Lindsay, a fiddle and whistle player. Find out more about Carol Walker on her website: www.MusicLadyCarol.com --ENDS--