The whole project started rather simply. Danielle Howle needed to get some recently written tunes recorded. Nothing any loftier. And, as is usually the case with musicians who have no other means of support, she was low on recording funds.

After spending more than two decades with Columbia as a base, Howle moved to Charleston and hooked up with the growing number of musicians attaching themselves to Awendaw Green. Part recording studio, part concert venue, part entrepreneurial philanthropic society with a smidgen of hippie commune thrown in, Awendaw Green is fast becoming the place for music, not only in Charleston, but all over the east end of the Deep South.

Howle's close friend Eddie White owns a sanctuary deep in the Francis Marion National Forest, somewhere on the banks of Eschaw Creek. The place is known to family as the Swamp House. A large propane tank, eight solar panels, and six whole house batteries supply all necessary energy. Although the power is stored at 24 volts, a four KW inverter produces, "normal 120," which allows sensitive recording equipment to be used. So that's how Danielle Howle recorded the first solar album in South Carolina. (As far as anyone knows)

The little lady with the monster vocal chords toted her acoustic guitar, a microphone, and her friend Mitchell Webb down to the Swamp House for some work and some spiritual cobweb clearing. Webb took his digital recorder, and they started working.

None of the songs had ever been played live before. One particular tune, "April Called Today," wasn't even finished. Howle warned Webb and then began to strum. What one hears on the album today is what came from Howles brain to her long, skinny fingers.

In about four to six hours of actual working time, the eight songs were done. Howle was still undecided about what to do with the various songs until she heard them. It was pretty obvious to her the collection was perfect as recorded. The project was stamped complete as the "Swamp Sessions" and is available at stores and on Howle's Web site.

Howle will be conducting a songwriter's workshop at Saluda Shoals Park on October First. For more information, visit daniellehowle.com.