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Alec's pic in infobox; solo albums in release order; noted which items released in 2007 are credited to Heather not Alec; added more details to some footnotes; removed many references to "her"
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| Background = solo_singer
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name =
| Birth_name =
| Img = IMG_9256sm.jpg
⚫
| Img_capt = Alexander James Adams at a performance in April 2007.
| Alias = Heather Alexander
| Alias = Heather Alexander
| Born =
| Born =
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| Genre = [[World music|World]], [[Celtic music|Celtic]]
| Genre = [[World music|World]], [[Celtic music|Celtic]]
| Occupation =
| Occupation =
| Years_active = 1990–2006
| Years_active = 1990–present
| Label = SeaFire Productions
| Label = SeaFire Productions, Inc
| Associated_acts = [[Phoenyx]], [[Uffington Horse (band)|Uffington Horse]], [[Tricky Pixie]]
| Associated_acts = [[Phoenyx]], [[Uffington Horse (band)|Uffington Horse]], [[Tricky Pixie]]
| URL = [http://www.heatherlands.com www.heatherlands.com]
| URL = [http://www.heatherlands.com www.heatherlands.com]
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A native of [[California]], Heather Alexander began performing original music in the mid-eighties for friends, renaissance fairs, and filk conventions. [[Off Centaur Publications]] was recording performances at one convention and asked to include Alexander. This began an association where Alexander recorded for Off Centaur and later [[Firebird Arts and Music]], primarily [[work for hire]].<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref>
A native of [[California]], Heather Alexander began performing original music in the mid-eighties for friends, renaissance fairs, and filk conventions. [[Off Centaur Publications]] was recording performances at one convention and asked to include Alexander. This began an association where Alexander recorded for Off Centaur and later [[Firebird Arts and Music]], primarily [[work for hire]].<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref>


In the late 1980s Alexander founded the Celtic fusion rock band [[Phoenyx]], with which she released one album, ''[[Keepers of the Flame]]''; the band disbanded in 1991 after achieving a high degree of local fame, and that album is no longer in print.<ref name=Phoenyx>[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/phoenyx.html page on the album], including information from the album's press kit</ref><ref>[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/Heather_Alexander_FAQ.html FAQ]</ref><ref>[http://www.moremoose.com/discography.htm Mark Ungar's Discography]</ref><ref>[http://www.fiddlersfancy.com/selrecs.htm Cat Taylor Discography]. </ref>
In the late 1980s Alexander founded the Celtic fusion rock band [[Phoenyx]], which released one album, ''[[Keepers of the Flame]]''; the band disbanded in 1991 after achieving a high degree of local fame, and that album is no longer in print.<ref name=Phoenyx>For more information see the [http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/phoenyx.html Heatherlands.com page on the album], including information from the album's press kit; [http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/Heather_Alexander_FAQ.html Heatherlands.com FAQ]; [http://www.moremoose.com/discography.htm Mark Ungar's Discography]; [http://www.fiddlersfancy.com/selrecs.htm Cat Taylor Discography]. </ref>


Alexander returned to acoustic roots and embarked on a solo career, including a live concert recording produced by Firebird Arts and Music releasing the first solo album, ''[[Wanderlust (Heather Alexander album)|Wanderlust]]'', on her own label (Sea Fire Productions, Inc) in [[1994]]. Two live concert albums and several studio albums have followed.<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref><ref name="discography">[http://www.heatherlands.com Discography on the official website, www.heatherlands.com] </ref> Alexander also moved to the Pacific Northwest, settling in [[Banks, Oregon]] in 2002.
Alexander returned to acoustic roots and embarked on a solo career, including a live concert recording produced by Firebird Arts and Music and releasing the first solo album, ''[[Wanderlust (Heather Alexander album)|Wanderlust]]'', on her own label (Sea Fire Productions, Inc) in [[1994]]. Two live concert albums and several studio albums have followed.<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref><ref name="discography">[http://www.heatherlands.com Discography on the official website, www.heatherlands.com] </ref> Alexander also moved to the Pacific Northwest, settling in [[Banks, Oregon]] in 2002.


In 2001, Alexander founded a new band, Uffington Horse, together with [[Andrew Hare]] and [[Dan Ochipinti]] and continued to perform solo gigs between band appearances. In 2004, a limited run of the Uffington Horse promotional CD was offered to fans to help finance recording their first studio album, ''[[Enchantment (Uffington Horse album)|Enchantment]]'', published in 2004.<ref name="discography"/> In 2002, Heather Alexander told ''Strange Horizons'' that "I tend to think of myself as a "musical entertainer." I sing, play, compose, and tell stories."<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref> The band performed at numerous [[science fiction conventions|science fiction]] and [[Furry fandom|Furry]] [[Fan convention|conventions]], such as [[OryCon]], [[Norwescon]], [[Further Confusion]] ([[2004]] and [[2005]]), [[Eurofurence]] (2005 and 2006), and [[8th North American Science Fiction Convention|CascadiaCon]] (2005). She was Music Guest of Honor at [[FenCon]] in 2006.
In 2001, Alexander founded a new band, Uffington Horse, together with [[Andrew Hare]] and [[Dan Ochipinti]] and continued to perform solo gigs between band appearances. In 2004, a limited run of the Uffington Horse promotional CD was offered to fans to help finance recording their first studio album, ''[[Enchantment (Uffington Horse album)|Enchantment]]'', published in 2004.<ref name="discography"/> In 2002, Heather Alexander told ''Strange Horizons'' that "I tend to think of myself as a "musical entertainer." I sing, play, compose, and tell stories."<ref name=StrangeHorizons>[http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020729/heather.shtml Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002]</ref> The band performed at numerous [[science fiction conventions|science fiction]] and [[Furry fandom|Furry]] [[Fan convention|conventions]], such as [[OryCon]], [[Norwescon]], [[Further Confusion]] ([[2004]] and [[2005]]), [[Eurofurence]] (2005 and 2006), and [[8th North American Science Fiction Convention|CascadiaCon]] (2005). Alexander was Music Guest of Honor at [[FenCon]] in 2006.


===2007 - present===
===2007 - present===
⚫
In early 2007 Adams [[transitioning (transgender)|transitioned]] gender and since April 2007 has performed in many of the venues that were formerly played as Heather Alexander. Adams has formed a new band, [[Tricky Pixie]], with [[S.J. Tucker]] and [[Betsy Tinney]]. In summer 2007, the band released a recording of their first concert, ''Live!'', which is the earliest released recording of Adams' voice.<ref name="TrickyPixie"/>
⚫
[[Image:IMG_9256sm.jpg|right|thumb|Alexander James Adams at a performance in April 2007.]]
⚫
From 2006 to 2007 Adams [[transitioning (transgender)|transitioned]] gender and since April 2007, has performed in many of the venues that were formerly played as Heather. Adams has formed a new band, [[Tricky Pixie]], with [[S.J. Tucker]] and [[Betsy Tinney]]. In summer 2007, the band released a recording of their first concert, ''Live!'', which is the earliest released recording of Adams' voice.<ref>See the [http://www.trickypixie.com/merch.php order page on the Tricky Pixie website] for more information.</ref>


Adams' first solo album, ''Cat & The Fiddle'', was entirely instrumental. ''Balance of Nature'', released in fall 2007, mixed a few of his older works (such as ''Creature of the Wood'') with new songs.
Adams' first solo album, ''Cat & The Fiddle'', was entirely instrumental. ''Balance of Nature'', released in fall 2007, mixed a few of his older works (such as ''Creature of the Wood'') with new songs.
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==Discography==
==Discography==
[[Image:HeatherAlexanderLive.gif|right|thumb|''Heather Alexander Live'' cassette, recorded in 1992.]]
[[Image:HeatherAlexanderLive.gif|right|thumb|''Heather Alexander Live'' cassette, recorded in 1992.]]
[[Image:GypsysHome.jpg|thumb|The cover of 2001's ''A Gypsy's Home'' shows Alexander and her horse.]]
[[Image:HeatherAlexanderSecrets.jpg|thumb|2003's ''Album of Secrets''. The cover is a parody of [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s book, ''Magical Me''.]]
[[Image:HeatherAlexanderSecrets.jpg|thumb|2003's ''Album of Secrets''. The cover is a parody of [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s book, ''Magical Me''.]]
The albums listed through ''Everafter'' are billed as Heather Alexander. Despite the transition, all lyrics, music, and recordings originally [[copyright]] Heather Alexander retain the copyright of Heather Alexander.
⚫
[[Image:UffingtonHorsepromo cd.gif|thumb|Uffington Horse's promotional CD of live recordings. The band offered a limited run of the CD to fans in 2004.]]

The albums listed through 2006 are billed as Heather Alexander. Unless otherwise noted, albums feature a mix of traditional Celtic music penned originals.
Unless otherwise noted, albums feature a mix of traditional Celtic music penned originals.


* ''Freedom, Flight and Fantasy'' 1990 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: [[Mercedes Lackey]]. Music: [[Leslie Fish]]. Arrangements: [[Cecilia Eng]].<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Freedom, Flight and Fantasy'' 1990 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: [[Mercedes Lackey]]. Music: [[Leslie Fish]]. Arrangements: [[Cecilia Eng]].<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Heather Alexander, Live'' 1992 (Firebird Arts and Music). Alexander accompanies her vocals with guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Heather Alexander, Live'' 1992 (Firebird Arts and Music). Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Songsmith'', 1993 (Firebird Arts and Music). Songs based on the book ''Songsmith'' by [[Andre Norton]] and [[A.C. Crispin]].<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Songsmith'', 1993 (Firebird Arts and Music). Songs based on the book ''Songsmith'' by [[Andre Norton]] and [[A.C. Crispin]].<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Wanderlust'' 1994 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) First studio recording on her own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Wanderlust'' 1994 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) First studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Shadow Stalker'' 1994 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: [[Mercedes Lackey]] & D.F. Sanders. Music: Heather Alexander & Cecilia Eng. Arrangements: Heather Alexander.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Shadow Stalker'' 1994 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: [[Mercedes Lackey]] & D.F. Sanders. Music: Heather Alexander & Cecilia Eng. Arrangements: Heather Alexander.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Life's Flame'' 1996 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second live album. Alexander accompanies her vocals with guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Life's Flame'' 1996 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second live album. Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Midsummer'' 1997 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second studio recording on her own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Midsummer'' 1997 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''A Gypsy's Home'' 2001 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third studio recording on her own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''A Gypsy's Home'' 2001 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Insh'allah -- Music of Lion's Blood'' 2002 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based in the world of Steven Barnes' book ''Lion's Blood''. The book and album were written concurrently; Barnes quotes song lyrics in the book.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Insh'allah -- Music of Lion's Blood'' 2002 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based in the world of Steven Barnes' book ''Lion's Blood''. The book and album were written concurrently; Barnes quotes song lyrics in the book.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Festival Wind'' 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third live album. Alexander accompanies her vocals with guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Festival Wind'' 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third live album. Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Album of Secrets'' 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Primarily [[bloopers]] and [[outtakes]] from the recording of ''Festival Wind''.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Album of Secrets'' 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Primarily [[bloopers]] and [[outtakes]] from the recording of ''Festival Wind''.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Merlin's Descendants'' 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based on the ''Merlin's Descendants'' series by [[Irene Radford]].<ref name="Heather solo">[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/shopping.html]</ref>
* ''Merlin's Descendants'' 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based on the ''Merlin's Descendants'' series by [[Irene Radford]].<ref name="Heather solo">[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/discog.html Discography] and [http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/shopping.html old order page] on official website.</ref>
* ''Cat & The Fiddle'', 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) [[Instrumental]] [[fiddle]] tunes.
* ''Arms of the Sea'' 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Traditional and original sea shanties.<ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Balance of Nature'', 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Mixes new songs a few re-recorded olded songs (''Creature of the Wood''), and a few songs that blend old and new (''He of the Sidhe'').
* ''Everafter'' 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Final Heather Alexander solo album, this is a studio recording with backing musicians. (Despite having the same name as the DVD, the album is not DVD soundtrack.) <ref name="Heather solo"/>
* ''Wintertide'', 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) [[Yule]] album featuring traditional and original songs by Heather Alexander & Alexander James Adams, featuring duets between both voices.<ref>Per [http://www.heatherlands.com www.heatherlands.com]</ref>
* ''Cat & The Fiddle'' 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) [[Instrumental]] [[fiddle]] tunes.<ref name="Alexander" />
* ''Arms of the Sea'' 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Traditional and original sea shanties.
* ''Balance of Nature'' 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Mixes new songs, a few re-recorded old songs (''Creature of the Wood''), and a few songs that blend old and new (''He of the Sidhe'').<ref name="Alexander" />
⚫
* ''Wintertide'' 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) [[Yule]] album featuring traditional and original songs by Heather Alexander & Alexander James Adams, featuring duets between both voices.<ref name="Alexander" >See Alexander James Adams albums on [http://www.heatherlands.com www.heatherlands.com]</ref>
* ''Everafter'' 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Studio recording on her own label with backing musicians.
⚫
* ''Wintertide'', 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) [[Yule]] album featuring traditional and original songs by Heather Alexander & Alexander James Adams, featuring duets between both voices.<ref>Per [http://www.heatherlands.com www.heatherlands.com]</ref>


==== Band albums ====
=== Band albums ===
⚫
[[Image:UffingtonHorsepromo cd.gif|thumb|Uffington Horse's promotional CD of live recordings.]]
[[Image:Phoeynx backcover.jpg|right|thumb|Back cover of ''Keepers of the Flame''.]]
[[Image:Phoeynx backcover.jpg|right|thumb|Back cover of ''Keepers of the Flame''.]]
* ''Keepers of the Flame'', '''Phoenyx''' 1990 (Phoenyx and Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Issued by the band in 1990. No longer in print.<ref name="heather band">[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/shopping.html]</ref>
* ''Keepers of the Flame'', '''Phoenyx''' 1990 (Phoenyx and Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Issued by the band in 1990. No longer in print.<ref name=Phoenyx/>
* ''Uffington Horse Promotional Album'', '''Uffington Horse''', 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Created for promotional purposes; a limited run was offered to fans in 2004.<ref name="promo">For more information see the archived [http://heatherlands.com/uffingtonhorse/pages/promo.html product page].</ref><ref name="heather band"/>
* ''Uffington Horse Promotional Album'', '''Uffington Horse''', 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Created for promotional purposes; a limited run was offered to fans in 2004.<ref name="promo">For more information see the archived [http://heatherlands.com/uffingtonhorse/pages/promo.html product page].</ref>
* ''Enchantment'', '''Uffington Horse''' 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Uffington's studio album.<ref name="heather band"/>
* ''Enchantment'', '''Uffington Horse''' 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Uffington's studio album.<ref name="Uffington">For more information, see the [http://heatherlands.com/uffingtonhorse/pages/albums.html Uffington Horse website]</ref>
* ''Live!'', 2007 [[Tricky Pixie]]. Contains songs written and performed by Adams, [[S.J. Tucker]] and Betsy Tinney.<ref>[http://www.trickypixie.com/merch.php order page on the Tricky Pixie website]</ref>
* ''Live!'', 2007 [[Tricky Pixie]]. Contains songs written and performed by Alexander James Adams, [[S.J. Tucker]] and Betsy Tinney.<ref name="TrickyPixie">For more information see the [http://www.trickypixie.com/merch.php Tricky Pixie website]</ref>


==== DVD ====
=== DVD ===
* ''Everafter'' February 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Recording of the Heather Alexander's final public concert in November 2006 at Orycon accompanying herself on guitar, bodhran, and fiddle. Bonus materials include a few performances at a pub and an interview.
* ''Everafter'' February 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Recording of Heather Alexander's final public concert in November 2006 at Orycon. Alexander sang and played guitar, bodhran, and fiddle. Bonus materials include a few performances at a pub and an interview.


==== Books ====
=== Books ===
Both books are credited to Heather Alexander.
* ''Everafter'' booklet February 2007. A short faerie tale.
* ''Everafter'' booklet February 2007. A short faerie tale.
* ''The Heather Alexander Songbook'' was published in late 2007. It includes lyrics and music for the Sea Fire Productions albums from ''Wanderlust'' through ''Everafter''.
* ''The Heather Alexander Songbook'' was published in late 2007. It includes lyrics and music for the Sea Fire Productions albums from ''Wanderlust'' through ''Everafter''.


==== Guest appearances ====
=== Guest appearances ===
Alexander has appeared on several concert collections and other performer's albums.
Heather Alexander has appeared on several concert collections and other performer's albums.
* ''Gaia Circles'', [[Gaia Consort]] 2000. Alexander played fiddle on most of the tracks.<ref name="guest appear">[http://www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/frames.html?http%3A//www.heatherlands.com/seafire/pages/discog.htmlf]</ref>
* ''Gaia Circles'', [[Gaia Consort]] 2000. Alexander played fiddle on most of the tracks.<ref name="discography"/>
* ''[[Firestorm: Songs of the Third World War]]'', [[Leslie Fish]]. Alexander appears on the track ''Better than Who''.<ref name="guest appear"/>
* ''[[Firestorm: Songs of the Third World War]]'', [[Leslie Fish]]. Alexander appears on the track ''Better than Who''.<ref name="discography"/>
* ''The Constellation'', [[Hank Cramer]] 2003.<ref name="guest appear"/>
* ''The Constellation'', [[Hank Cramer]] 2003.<ref name="discography"/>
* ''Roundworm'', various artists, 2000. (Song parodies by [[Bob Kanefsky]].) Performing ''December of Cambreadth'', a parody of ''[[March of Cambreadth]]'', and ''Something's Under The Bed'', a parody of ''Up In The Loft''.<ref name="guest appear"/>
* ''Roundworm'', various artists, 2000. (Song parodies by [[Bob Kanefsky]].) Performing ''December of Cambreadth'', a parody of ''[[March of Cambreadth]]'', and ''Something's Under The Bed'', a parody of ''Up In The Loft''.<ref name="discography"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 05:32, 23 February 2008

Alexander James Adams

Alexander James Adams is an American singer, musician and songwriter in the Celtic and World music genres. Adams blends mythical, fantasy, and traditional themes in performances, switching between instrumental fiddle and songs accompanied by guitar, bodhran, and fiddle playing. He has also been a popular and influential artist in the field of filk music.

Adams performed as Heather Alexander for 25 years before beginning to tour as Alexander James Adams.[1]

The last public performance as Heather was at OryCon 2006. Adams' debut as Alexander was at Seattle's Norwescon 30, on 6 April 2007.[2]

Career

Mid 1980s - 2006

Performing in Tacoma, Washington, in 2004.

A native of California, Heather Alexander began performing original music in the mid-eighties for friends, renaissance fairs, and filk conventions. Off Centaur Publications was recording performances at one convention and asked to include Alexander. This began an association where Alexander recorded for Off Centaur and later Firebird Arts and Music, primarily work for hire.[3]

In the late 1980s Alexander founded the Celtic fusion rock band Phoenyx, which released one album, Keepers of the Flame; the band disbanded in 1991 after achieving a high degree of local fame, and that album is no longer in print.[4]

Alexander returned to acoustic roots and embarked on a solo career, including a live concert recording produced by Firebird Arts and Music and releasing the first solo album, Wanderlust, on her own label (Sea Fire Productions, Inc) in 1994. Two live concert albums and several studio albums have followed.[3][5] Alexander also moved to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Banks, Oregon in 2002.

In 2001, Alexander founded a new band, Uffington Horse, together with Andrew Hare and Dan Ochipinti and continued to perform solo gigs between band appearances. In 2004, a limited run of the Uffington Horse promotional CD was offered to fans to help finance recording their first studio album, Enchantment, published in 2004.[5] In 2002, Heather Alexander told Strange Horizons that "I tend to think of myself as a "musical entertainer." I sing, play, compose, and tell stories."[3] The band performed at numerous science fiction and Furry conventions, such as OryCon, Norwescon, Further Confusion (2004 and 2005), Eurofurence (2005 and 2006), and CascadiaCon (2005). Alexander was Music Guest of Honor at FenCon in 2006.

2007 - present

In early 2007 Adams transitioned gender and since April 2007 has performed in many of the venues that were formerly played as Heather Alexander. Adams has formed a new band, Tricky Pixie, with S.J. Tucker and Betsy Tinney. In summer 2007, the band released a recording of their first concert, Live!, which is the earliest released recording of Adams' voice.[6]

Adams' first solo album, Cat & The Fiddle, was entirely instrumental. Balance of Nature, released in fall 2007, mixed a few of his older works (such as Creature of the Wood) with new songs.

In November 2007, Adams released the Yule album Wintertide, featuring duets between both Adams' and Heather Alexander's voices. According to Adams, his last recording session as Heather Alexander were tracks for Wintertide.

Literary collaborations

Several of the Firebird Arts and Music albums include songs inspired by the writings of Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton. (See the discography below for more information.)

In 2002, Heather Alexander released the album Insh'Allah on her own label, inspired by Steven Barnes's novel Lion's Blood. The songs and the book were written concurrently, and several of the songs are quoted in the book and its sequel.[3]

In a similar vein, Heather Alexander's 2006 album Merlin's Descendants is based on the fiction of Irene Radford.[5][7]

Cultural references

File:HeatherAlexanderMidsummer.jpg
1997's Midsummer featuring signature song March of Cambreadth.

Several songs have been featured in the novels of John Ringo. An MP3 of March of Cambreadth was included on an accompanying CD and is available for download at the publisher's site.[8]

S.M. Stirling's quotes Heather Alexander's lyrics in his Island in the Sea of Time trilogy. His Dies the Fire series features a red-haired musician who plays guitar, fiddle, and bodhran named "Juniper Mackenzie". The lyrics of "Mackenzie's" songs quoted in the books are Heather Alexander's, and Alexander is credited in the Acknowledgments. (Juniper and heather are both plants.)[9]

Mike Shepard used the song March of Cambreadth in his book Defiant. Defiant also has a character named Heather Alexander. Several of Alexander's songs have been parodied, most notably March of Cambreadth.

Pegasus Awards

Heather Alexander has won the Pegasus Award three times:

Discography

File:HeatherAlexanderLive.gif
Heather Alexander Live cassette, recorded in 1992.
File:HeatherAlexanderSecrets.jpg
2003's Album of Secrets. The cover is a parody of Gilderoy Lockhart's book, Magical Me.

The albums listed through Everafter are billed as Heather Alexander. Despite the transition, all lyrics, music, and recordings originally copyright Heather Alexander retain the copyright of Heather Alexander.

Unless otherwise noted, albums feature a mix of traditional Celtic music penned originals.

  • Freedom, Flight and Fantasy 1990 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: Mercedes Lackey. Music: Leslie Fish. Arrangements: Cecilia Eng.[10]
  • Heather Alexander, Live 1992 (Firebird Arts and Music). Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.[10]
  • Songsmith, 1993 (Firebird Arts and Music). Songs based on the book Songsmith by Andre Norton and A.C. Crispin.[10]
  • Wanderlust 1994 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) First studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.[10]
  • Shadow Stalker 1994 (Firebird Arts and Music). Lyrics: Mercedes Lackey & D.F. Sanders. Music: Heather Alexander & Cecilia Eng. Arrangements: Heather Alexander.[10]
  • Life's Flame 1996 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second live album. Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.[10]
  • Midsummer 1997 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Second studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.[10]
  • A Gypsy's Home 2001 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third studio recording on Alexander's own label with backing musicians.[10]
  • Insh'allah -- Music of Lion's Blood 2002 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based in the world of Steven Barnes' book Lion's Blood. The book and album were written concurrently; Barnes quotes song lyrics in the book.[10]
  • Festival Wind 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Third live album. Alexander sings and plays guitar, bodhran, and fiddle.[10]
  • Album of Secrets 2003 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Primarily bloopers and outtakes from the recording of Festival Wind.[10]
  • Merlin's Descendants 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Songs based on the Merlin's Descendants series by Irene Radford.[10]
  • Arms of the Sea 2006 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Traditional and original sea shanties.[10]
  • Everafter 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Final Heather Alexander solo album, this is a studio recording with backing musicians. (Despite having the same name as the DVD, the album is not DVD soundtrack.) [10]
  • Cat & The Fiddle 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Instrumental fiddle tunes.[11]
  • Balance of Nature 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Mixes new songs, a few re-recorded old songs (Creature of the Wood), and a few songs that blend old and new (He of the Sidhe).[11]
  • Wintertide 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Yule album featuring traditional and original songs by Heather Alexander & Alexander James Adams, featuring duets between both voices.[11]

Band albums

File:UffingtonHorsepromo cd.gif
Uffington Horse's promotional CD of live recordings.
File:Phoeynx backcover.jpg
Back cover of Keepers of the Flame.
  • Keepers of the Flame, Phoenyx 1990 (Phoenyx and Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Issued by the band in 1990. No longer in print.[4]
  • Uffington Horse Promotional Album, Uffington Horse, 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Created for promotional purposes; a limited run was offered to fans in 2004.[12]
  • Enchantment, Uffington Horse 2004 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Uffington's studio album.[13]
  • Live!, 2007 Tricky Pixie. Contains songs written and performed by Alexander James Adams, S.J. Tucker and Betsy Tinney.[6]

DVD

  • Everafter February 2007 (Sea Fire Productions, Inc.) Recording of Heather Alexander's final public concert in November 2006 at Orycon. Alexander sang and played guitar, bodhran, and fiddle. Bonus materials include a few performances at a pub and an interview.

Books

Both books are credited to Heather Alexander.

  • Everafter booklet February 2007. A short faerie tale.
  • The Heather Alexander Songbook was published in late 2007. It includes lyrics and music for the Sea Fire Productions albums from Wanderlust through Everafter.

Guest appearances

Heather Alexander has appeared on several concert collections and other performer's albums.

See also

References

  1. ^ Radcon 5 draws sci-fi, fantasy fans to Pasco, Tri-City Herald, Feb 17, 2008. The article refers to "[t]ransgender Celtic performer Alexander James Adams", adding that "[t]he singer-songwriter toured across the U.S. and in England and Germany as Heather Alexander for 25 years before beginning to tour as Alexander, said Kore Adams, his partner."
  2. ^ See announcement from manager Kore Bommeli on the official website and performer bio.
  3. ^ a b c d Strange Horizons Interview, 29 July 2002
  4. ^ a b For more information see the Heatherlands.com page on the album, including information from the album's press kit; Heatherlands.com FAQ; Mark Ungar's Discography; Cat Taylor Discography.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Discography on the official website, www.heatherlands.com Cite error: The named reference "discography" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b For more information see the Tricky Pixie website
  7. ^ Irene Radford's site.
  8. ^ Per the Midsummer page on the official website, www.heatherlands.com, and BAEN books site.
  9. ^ This been commented on in reviews and convention programs.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Discography and old order page on official website.
  11. ^ a b c See Alexander James Adams albums on www.heatherlands.com
  12. ^ For more information see the archived product page.
  13. ^ For more information, see the Uffington Horse website
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