The Gathering by Distaff

distaff (noun):
1. Staff for holding flax or wool in spinning.
2. Woman's work or domain.
3. Female side of a family.
4. A group of bold women musicians based in Fresno, California.

....as women have traditionally been the 'spinners,'
Distaff has come to mean 'women' or 'women's work.'

Lyrics + Music by:
Chris Darden
Heather Bishaw
Walter Robinson
Gail Abbott
Bonnie Lockhart
Danny Dill/Marijon Wilkin
Harriette Wagner
Kate Wolf
Linda Shear
Kay Weaver
Holly Near

We met at a rally in Fresno, California, each of us a
performer and an activist in progressive politics. We
found ourselves standing in the back harmonizing, just
for fun. It sounded pretty good, so we decided to make
music together. Distaff was born.

Through the years we've been joined by other women
musicians from time to time. At this time however,
Distaff remains Gail, Chris and Harriette. We enjoy
performing traditional and contemporary songs,
including some of our own, many with a political bent.

We have appeared in concert in support of social and
economic justice, environmental protection and peace.
Our intention is to continue supporting these causes as
long as we can 'gum a piece of tofu' (hear track 10).

We hope you enjoy our debut recording.

Peace,
Gail, Chris and Harriette

Tracklist

1.	The Gathering	4:12

2.	In The Morning	3:33

3.	Lifeline	2:51

4.	Sister Theresa	4:22

5.	Who Were The Witches?	2:41

6.	Long Black Veil	4:04

7.	Dancing Eyes	2:57

8.	Country Woman	3:48

9.	Across The Great Divide	4:27

10.	Old Woman	1:55

11.	One Fine Day	4:23

12.	West Virginia Friend	4:01

Credits

released October 5, 2023

Gail Abbott...Vocals, 12-string guitar, rain stick
Chris Darden...Vocals, 6-string guitar, mandolin
Harriette Wagner...Vocals, tambourine

Produced by Distaff
Recorded + mixed in 2005 by Randy Osuna
Graphic design by Leslie Akin
Site wallpaper by Bonnie Jean Primbsch
Special thanks to...
Sue Ammen, for providing love and support
Randy Osuna, friend and engineer extraordinaire
Kayli Abbott-Ammen, for being our #1 fan

see lyrics, visuals, and/or liner notes by clicking on individual tracks.
for seamless play, please download.
<name your price> is the digital equivalent of <no one turned away for lack of funds>, sliding scale $0-?, small amounts appreciated.

A Work In Progress Records is an independent record group concerned with do-it-yourself releases distributed on an anti-profit/donation basis.

License