Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog

Songs and Symphoniques: the Music of Moondog
Studio album by Ghost Train Orchestra and Kronos Quartet
Released	September 29, 2023
Recorded	2023
Genre	Classical
Length	1:02:49
Label	Cantaloupe Music
Producer	Brian Carpenter
Ghost Train Orchestra chronology
Book of Rhapsodies, Vol. II (2017) Songs and Symphoniques: the Music of Moondog (2023) Who Is the Sky? (2025)

Songs and Symphoniques: the Music of Moondog is a collaboration album between Kronos Quartet and Ghost Train Orchestra reimagining the music of American classical composer Louis Hardin, AKA Moondog. Several songs are arranged by Ghost Train Orchestra members and the album features a cast of guest vocalists.

Background

Leading up to the album's release were the release of two singles; "High on a Rocky Ledge" (feat. Marissa Nadler) and "Why Spend a Dark Night with You?" (feat. Joan as Police Woman) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Critical reception

The album won the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award) 2024 Annual Award presented to ten outstanding music and spoken word productions. ^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Theme"	3:52
2.	"Be a Hobo" (feat. Rufus Wainwright)	3:45
3.	"High on a Rocky Ledge" (feat. Marissa Nadler)	4:33
4.	"Caribea"	2:04
5.	"Why Spend a Dark Night With You?" (feat. Joan as Police Woman)	3:38
6.	"Enough About Human Rights" (feat. Karen Mantler)	3:41
7.	"I’m This, I’m That" (feat. Jarvis Cocker)	3:41
8.	"Speak of Heaven"	4:20
9.	"The Viking of 6th Avenue"	5:30
10.	"Down is Up" (feat. Petra Haden)	1:26
11.	"Coffee Beans" (feat. Karen Mantler and Brian Carpenter)	4:10
12.	"Behold" (feat. Sam Amidon and Aoife O'Donovan)	4:30
13.	"Choo Choo Lullaby" (feat. Brian Carpenter)	3:26
14.	"Fog on the Hudson"	1:19
15.	"See the Mighty Tree" (feat. Petra Haden)	1:24
16.	"Bumbo"	5:17
17.	"All is Loneliness" (feat. Joan as Police Woman)	6:13
Total length:		1:02:49

Personnel

Ghost Train Orchestra

• Brian Carpenter – trumpet, vocals, arranger, producer
• 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

Additional

• Moondog – composer
• Rufus Wainwright – vocals
• Marissa Nadler – vocals
• Joan Wasser – vocals
• Karen Mantler – vocals, harmonica
• Jarvis Cocker – vocals
• Petra Haden – vocals
• Sam Amidon – vocals, banjo
• Aoife O'Donovan – vocals
• Zach Miley – engineer
• Aaron Nevezi – engineer
• Marc Urselli – engineer
• John Kilgore – mix engineer
• Brian Montgomery – mix engineer
• Bob Ludwig – master engineer

References

1. "Songs and Symphoniques: the Music of Moondog". cantaloupemusic.com. Cantaloupe Music, LLC. June 30, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
2. "Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog". Kronos Quartet. Kronos Performing Arts Association. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
3. Rettig, James (June 29, 2023). "Ghost Train Orchestra & Kronos Quartet Announce New Moondog Tribute Album Feat. Jarvis Cocker, Rufus Wainwright, Marissa Nadler, & More". stereogum.com. Stereogum Media. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
4. "MOONDOG'S "WHY SPEND A DARK NIGHT WITH YOU? (FEAT. JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN)" OUT NOW FROM SONGS AND SYMPHONIQUES: THE MUSIC OF MOONDOG – East Portland Blog". eastportlandblog.com. East Portland Blog. September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
5. "Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik Annual Awards 2024". schallplattenkritik.de (in German). October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.