Windham Hill troupe’s show endlessly sunny

Sean Harkness didn’t expect to be playing a guitar last night with a stageful of musicians at the Maine Center for the Arts during the Windham Hill 1997 Winter Solstice Tour. But the night before, he had heard the same group play Alice Tully Hall in New York City and had gone to the reception afterward.

A Windham Hill artist himself, Harkness had been scheduled to be a member of the tour but couldn’t work it out. Nevertheless he wanted to meet the players. Turns out, they wanted to meet him, too, and suggested he catch the bus north with them to Maine for the last performance on the tour. David Arkenstone, a musician of many talents, even lent Harkness a guitar and off they all went smiling.

The story is worth telling because it entirely captures the friendly spirit of the Windham Hill family and characterizes the mood of last night’s concert. Whether playing “Go Tell It on the Mountain” as an ensemble or taking turns as soloists, these New Age folkies have a little something special going on with their essences.

Music ranged from the smarty, white-note ramblings of Liz Story to the Celtic imaginings of harpist Lisa Lynne to the accordion bliss of Arkenstone and the deft clarity of Harkness. But the grand couple of the group was Tuck and Patti, the guitarist-husband and vocalist-wife jazz team. He’s a master on the strings; she’s a goddess of song. Together they steam up a place. Her “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Ones” and “You Take My Breath Away” are so undulating and sumptuous they inspire unexpected blushing. And her hubby’s not only spicy with the guitar, he’s a clown in front of the mike.

This concert had endlessly sunny music in honor of the darkest day of the year. Good to know there’s still something that isn’t afraid to ooze with niceties.