Irish Dance

1. Kathy Beau Gardens Reels

2. Green Walk, Etc. [Marches]

3. Harrigans, Etc.

4. Derry Aire

5. Banbridge Lassies

6. Bridge of Toome [Marches]

7. Siege of Ennis

8. Irish Two Step

9. Victory Waltz

10. O'Donnell Abu [Marches]

11. Bostonburg [Pride of Erin]

12. Old Maid/Fine Boys

Irish Dance,Various Artists,Platinum Disc,Celtic/Irish,Int'l & World Music,Pop

Average customer rating: Incredible! Awesome THIS should've been LOTR's soundtrack Celtic Crazy! better soundtrack than riverdance

Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance Ronan Hardiman , and Michael Flatley Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music New Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Fusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Celtic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Riverdance: Music From The Show Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/Feet of Flames/Michael Flatley Gold) Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley's Celtic Tiger ASIN: B000001EPB Release Date: 1997-03-04

Tracks:

1. Cry Of The Celts
2. Suil A Ruin
3. Celtic Dream
4. Warriors
5. Gypsy
6. Breakout
7. The Lord Of The Dance
8. Spirit In The New World
9. Fiery Nights
10. Lament
11. Siamsa
12. Our Wedding Day
13. Stolen Kiss
14. Nightmare
15. Victory
16. Cry Of The Celts
17. The Lord Of The Dance

Amazon.com

Part showtunes, part classical, and part folk music, Ronan Hardiman's score to Lord of the Dance, the musical starring dancer Michael Flatley, successfully avoids all the inherent pitfalls of such an enterprise. Hardiman has emerged as Ireland's finest interpreter of traditional music for films, TV, and the theater, and under his guidance the 19 lush orchestral tunes, augmented with many traditional instruments, are rife with the spirit of the Emerald Isle. Two of the tracks feature the taps of Flatley and Co, while the rest highlight the score as composed by Hardiman with all its subtle textures intact and not masked by the live sound of tap dancing. Lord of the Dance is a perfect and very listenable fusion of Broadway and the indigenous heritage of Irish music making. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Incredible!.......2006-12-09

If you liked Riverdance, you'll love this. After listening to the free samples on this site, I badgered my mum into buying the CD. From the minute I put it on my walkman, I loved it. The way the composer mixes traditional instruments like fiddles with modern instruments like Saxophones and Keyboards is amazing. This gives the music a thicker feel, pushing it way above Riverdance. Whether you have Celtic blood or not you will love it!
Tracks 16 and 17 are especially brilliant with the fast tapping of Michael Flately's feet along with the rest of the Troop. I really want to see the show now!
Buy it or miss out on some of the best music around.

Awesome.......2006-10-28

I love Riverdance. I would give this cd a 10 if there was a 10 to rate it. Go IRISH!

THIS should've been LOTR's soundtrack.......2006-06-15

While Howard Shore's soundtrack for "Lord of the Rings" got him an Oscar,Ronan Hardiman SHOULD'VE composed the epic trilogy's music.Ronan Hardiman has an instinctive sense of rhythm&motion for his music.This music is PERFECT for Michael Flatley's dancing feet--or the hobbits' shaggy ones.

"Cry of the Celts" is a perfect epic opening.It's primal,beautiful.Shouldn't it have been the background for the opening sequence when Galadriel speaks of the forging of the One Ring?

"Warriors" is wonderfully ominous.It would've been a memorable theme for orcs&uruk-hai.And of course,Sauron.

"Gypsy" is sexy.It could've fit the scenes between Aragorn&Arwen,or Frodo&Galadriel.It's Celtic spice.

"Fiery Nights" shows that yes,saxophones can be great in Celtic music.Would've been great,and sensual,for the Mirror of Galadriel scene as well as Frodo's vision of Galadriel in Mordor.

"Lament" is elegaic.

"Siamsa" is celebratory music.Would've fit ANY of the happy endings at the end of "Return of the King." Why not Sam&Rose's wedding?

"Stolen Kiss","Nightmare"&"Victory" would have fit the finale.

Ronan Hardiman KNOWS Celtic music deeply in his artistry.He had experience with soundtracks before doing this score.He's capable of conveying epic themes.This is a must-listen-to album!

Celtic Crazy!.......2006-04-19

I have just about worn out this cd listening to it. When I got to see Lord of the Dance in person, I really had not had any sort of appreciation for celtic music. That performance and this cd changed all of that for me. The music is majestic and stirs emotion that spans all feelings. The music tells the story and each time I listen to it I can actually see the performers dancing that piece. Having a bad day? Just listen to this cd. The world will suddenly be a better place!

better soundtrack than riverdance.......2006-03-06

I saw 'riverdance' & while i thoroughly enjoyed the show, I agree with the other reviews that the soundtrack was lacking so I took the advice & picked up 'Lord of Dance' soundtrack (without having seen the show) & WOW - fabulous! Definately, upbeat & what you want to hear. There is also some nice songs with a jazz feel to them. Great CD from beginning to end - a real feel good cd.

Average customer rating: Marvellous! The best violinist ever!

Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits Itzhak Perlman - Greatest Hits ~ "Carmen" Fantasy · Havanaise · Poème · and more Cinema Serenade Itzhak Perlman - A la carte / Lawrence Foster Cinema Serenade II: The Golden Age ASIN: B00004XST2 Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Chanson Sans Paroles
2. Polonaise De Concert No.1, Op.4
3. It's Peaceful Here, Op.21 No.7
4. Chanson Russe
5. Liebesleid
6. Slavonic Dance In E Minor, Op.46, No.2
7. Tempo Di Minuetto (In The Style Of Pugnani)
8. Romanza Andaluza, Op.22
9. Melodie
10. Serenade Espagnole
11. Serenade (Frasquita)
12. La Capricieuse, Op.17
13. Sicilienne
14. Molly On The Shore
15. Andantino (In The Style Of Martini)
16. Marguerite (Daisies), Op.38, No.3
17. Melodie, Op.42 No.3
18. Estrellita
19. Spanish Dance No.5
20. Berceuse Sfaradite
21. Caprice In A Minor

Customer Reviews:

Marvellous!.......2005-11-26

I don't play violin, and I can't even read music, but as a classical music amateur I find this CD outstanding. Even an incompetent like myself can easily understand why Perlman is regarded as one of the greates violinists ever. This is a marvellous collection of pieces. The rendition of "Chanson Russe" by itself is, in my opinion, worth more than the price of the CD. If you listen to the audio samples on Amazon's pages and you like violin you will surely understand why I like this CD so much. I am grateful to People like Perlman, who make this world a better place to live in.

The best violinist ever!.......2001-01-26

All I can say to this CD is it's the best I've ever heard. In this CD, Itzhak Perlman truly demonstrates his best performances of the past years. I have always been a great admirer of Perlman, but since I own this CD, it's all I've listened to for the past three months. I myself play the violin and Perlman has become an inspiration to me, almost a musical idol. For any of those violinists out there, especially young musicians, who don't feel any excitement about playing the violin, listen to this CD and I promise you, you will strive to being able to play like this man does. He is truly the best musician I've ever known.

Average customer rating: Beyond words ... Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements Not their best album Excellent !! sacred

Sacred Irish Anonymous , Joe / Sprague, Billy / Carroll, Bruce Beck , Nicholas Brodszky , Gregorian Chant , Henri F. Hemy , Chuck / Shamblin, Allen Jones , Charlie Landsborough , John Newton , Stuart Townsend , Traditional , Irish Traditional , Shaker Traditional , Stevie Wonder , Arnie Roth , Orchestr Ceská Filharmonie , Anthony Kearns , Finbar Wright , and Irish Tenors Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: We Three Kings Heritage The Irish Tenors - In Concert With the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra The Very Best of The Irish Tenors Ronan ASIN: B000A2GP2K Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Deus Meus
2. Be Thou My Vision
3. Morning Has Broken
4. My Love
5. If I Can Help Somebody
6. My Forever Friend
7. Shelter Me
8. Amazing Grace
9. To Do Your Will
10. Hail Glorious St. Patrick
11. How Deep The Father's Love
12. Lord Of The Dance
13. There's No Cross
14. I'll Walk With God
15. Salve Regina

From the Label

Sacred marks John McDermott's first recording with the Irish Tenors since rejoining fellow original member Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright (who actually replaced McDermott in 2000). The Irish Tenors live up to their reputation as "gifted interpreters" with this collection, covering a wide range of spiritual material. Sacred was produced by the Irish Tenors' long-time musical director, Arnie Roth, who has also worked with Charlotte Church, Diana Ross, and Art Garfunkel. The album was produced in Prague at the Rudlofinum and ICN Studios.

More Recommended Titles

Ronan	Ellis Island	The Irish Tenors
Heritage	Rough Guide to Irish Music	My Life Belongs to You

Customer Reviews:

Beyond words ..........2007-03-22

Having only recently discovered The Irish Tenors, nothing here was a repeat to me. And, even if it was, I can't imagine being disappointed.

If you are open to the idea that music can be a vehicle for a moment of sublime and sacred ecstacy, that may help convey what I find difficult to put into words.

While I live continuously and constantly in Our Father's presence, a music album such as this can certainly heighten the moment with Him.

Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements.......2006-06-17

This is an extraordinary collection. The songs are irresistible, the voices incredibly powerful and filled with appropriate emotion, and the orchestra is very simply great. You'll want to buy this album for others. Simply beautiful. A pure joy.

Not their best album.......2006-02-27

For the most part this is an enjoyable collections of sacred music. However the inclussion of "Lord of the Dance" and other modern tunes are dreary no matter who sings them.

Excellent !!.......2005-10-26

I recently went to a concert to hear The Irish Tenors. They did several songs from this CD and it was great. If you like John McDermott as much I do then you must have this CD. This is a triple good CD with 3 top tenors.

sacred.......2005-10-23

I enjoyed most of the music. My main complaint is the repeated songs from John McDermott's Faithfullness CD. For us fans of John the repeats seem a bit too much. I think there are six reteats.

Average customer rating: A Little Piece of total enjoyment Wonderful!

Flute For Relaxation Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Corigliano | Corigliano, John | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Corigliano, John | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Cello for Relaxation Guitar for Relaxation Violin for Relaxation Piano for Relaxation Chopin For Relaxation ASIN: B00004YC3A Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

1. Peer Gynt Ste No.1: Morning
2. Nocturne
3. Song Of The Seashore - James Galway/Susumu Miyashita/Ayako Shinozaki
4. Spartacus: Adagio Of Spartacus & Phrygia
5. Con Op.10 No.3 'Goldfinch': II. Cantabile - James Galway/Malcolm Proud
6. Serenade D.957 - James Galway/Philip Moll
7. Kinderszenen: Traumeri
8. La Flute De Pan: Pan And The Birds
9. Nocturne in E flat, Op.9 No.2
10. Red Dragonfly - James Galway/Susumu Miyashita/Ayako Shinozaki
11. Fl Qt in C, K.285b: Variation V - James Galway/Tokyo Str Qt
12. Orfeo Ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
13. Messiah: Pastoral Symphony
14. The Firebird: Berceuse
15. Dolly Ste: Berceuse
16. The Four Seasons: Con Op.8 No.4 'Winter': II. Largo - James Galway/Zagreb Soloists
17. Voyage
18. Suo-Gan (Lullaby) - James Galway/Emily Mitchell
19. Danny Boy

Customer Reviews:

A Little Piece of total enjoyment.......2007-05-12

This CD is the BOMB-- I really enyoy listening to it

Wonderful!.......2001-01-29

This is a great CD. If you're a James Galway fan, this is a must have. He is, after all, THE GREATEST flutist in the world today. The CD is filled with some of the most beautiful (and relaxing) music ever written. Buy it. You will love it.

Average customer rating: GREAT! A relaxing journey into our Colonial past Fantastic! Cold Mountain type music that's great

Colonial America Manufacturer: Maggie's Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Instruments | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Celtic | Europe | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Folk | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Early American Roots The World Turned Upside Down Music of the American Revolution: The Birth of Liberty Celtic Roots The Spirit of '76 and Ruffles and Flourishes ASIN: B0000C9Z9X Release Date: 2003-09-01

Tracks:

1. Rickett's Hornpipe/ Fishers Hornpipe
2. Maiden Lane/ Jack O' Lent/ Chestnut/Bonny Broom
3. Parting Friends/Primrose
4. Flowers of Edinburgh/East Neuke of Fife
5. Prelude / La Catherine
6. Planxty Browne/Planxty Burke
7. Cutie Clat Her
8. John Come Kiss me Now
9. Scots Tune
10. Carolan's Farewell to Music
11. A Port
12. Yeil, yeil
13. Kedron/Saint's Delight/Promised Land
14. Gird the Logie
15. La Belle Cavalier
16. La Luxillier/La Balanje
17. Federal Overture
18. Death & Life

Album Description

Spirited new sounds from across the sea to the shores of the New Land. From the first colonists to the American Revolution and the birth of our republic Hesperus Early Music Ensemble's music reflects a time of new ideas, freedom and vitality. In town and village, parlor and ballroom, from the Appalachians to the great concert halls hear the musical pulse of early American music performed on a wide variety of folk and early music instruments. Includes: lively country-dance tunes, evocative Shape Note Hymns, old time Appalachian fiddle tunes, graceful European parlor music, French cotillions, divisions and improvisations. Introduction -The English Colonies in America were a patchwork-not just of territories whose boundaries became state lines, but of people from different places and classes with widely different values and experiences. This recording presents music from that patchwork; from England, the Colonial homeland; Scotland and Ireland, the homes of the largest groups of immigrants outside England; and France, the ally of the Patriots, and music written in the United States. More recordings by HESPERUS from Maggie's Music are Celtic Roots featuring Scottish fiddler, Bonnie Rideout and Early American Roots. Hesperus Ensemble is THE sought after musical group for period music that is both authentic, and most important fun, lively and spirited. They are frequent performers at the Smithsonian's Institute of American Music and can be heard on the soundtrack or the Paramount film with Johnny Depp entitled Sleepy Hollow! Excerpts from liner notes:2.A Set of English Country Dance Tunes: Maiden Lane, Jack O'Lent, Chestnut, Bonny Broom - The visionary London music publisher John Playford first published his English Dancing Master in 1651. It was reprinted 18 times over the next 77 years and is still popular today. 3. Parting Friends/Primrose - These tunes have come down to us in choral arrangements called shape-note hymns .

Customer Reviews:

GREAT!.......2007-05-20

This cd travels everywhere with me and you can easily imagine a ball at Monticello given by Mr. Jefferson when you hear it.
Try not to daydream too much while driving as i had done several times..lol..it's hard not to with this cd..:)
Perfect for a colonial reenactment or party.

A relaxing journey into our Colonial past.......2006-03-16

I bought this CD to provide me with another dimension to my studies of period events. It truly contains a wealth of music, and takes it place as an important addition to my musical library. Living in the Mt Vernon area, I often travel with the CD playing while visiting historical places, and it provides a wonderful companion to "set the mood" for the myriad locations in the area. The quality of the sound is remarkable, the musicians superb, and the breadth of song selection provides a musical landscape for the period. Highly recommended!!

Fantastic!.......2004-03-04

I first heard the "Colonial America" CD by Hesperus when I visited Monticello recently (the home of Thomas Jefferson) where they were playing the songs in the gift shop. Imagine my dismay to find that only one cassette tape was left of the fabulous music of Hesperus; however, that tape held me spell-bound all the way home, from Virginia to North Carolina.

It was an incredible journey from the past that has stayed with me since, and every day I drive that one hour back and forth to work. This music has changed everything about the trips, and I can't wait for more.

Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to buy all three CD's, including "Early American Roots," "Colonial America" and the incredible "Celtic Roots" with the most beautiful violas imaginable.

Thank you Hesperus! Please play more!

Cold Mountain type music that's great.......2003-11-15

Novels and movies like Cold Mountain, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? and Song Catchers are showing the growing interest in traditional music and this recording hits the mark. It is music from the days of early America--the time when the first colonists come to America. You can hear the fiddle playing tunes still popular in the Appalachian mountains today and also hear shape note music arranged by Hesperus as wonderful instrumentals. The music takes you to a time when folks were making music in their homes-before TV, before the internet! This recording is good for teachers or educational purposes too- with informative liner notes. All the music is played on folk and early music instruments and it's lively and an enjoyable listen.

Average customer rating: Great Music and Outstanding Voices Time for a new one Wonderful music, wonderful voices Professional on professionals Tenners for Tenors

Live in Belfast Irish Traditional , James L. Molloy , Philip Martin , Lynette Johnson , Thomas Moore , Frank Lambert , Raymond Loughborough , Percy French , Richard Farrelly , William Wallace , Tempest Sanderson , and Francis McPeake Manufacturer: Music Matters ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Moore | Moore, Thomas | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Irish Tenors | ( I ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Irish Tenors / McNamara, McDermott, Kearns, Tynan Ellis Island The Very Best of The Irish Tenors Heritage Home for Christmas ASIN: B00004RDSK Release Date: 2007-01-08

Tracks:

1. Dublin Medley: Dublin in the Rare Old Times; Molly Malone
2. Carrickfergus
3. Bantry Bay
4. Scorn Not His Simplicity
5. The Fields of Athenry
6. Star of the County Down
7. The Last Rose of Summer
8. Red is the Rose
9. Lift the Wings
10. She is Far from the Land
11. Ireland, Mother Ireland
12. Green Isle of Erin
13. Percy French Medley: Phil the Fluther's Ball/Come Back Paddy Reilly/The Lay of the West Clare Railway (Are Ye Right There Michael?)
14. Mary from Dungloe
15. Isle of Inisfree
16. There is a Flower that Bloometh
17. As I Sit Here
18. The Kerry Dance
19. Will Ye Go Lassie Go?

Product Description

1. Dublin Medley
2. Carrickfergus
3. Bantry Bay
4. Scorn Not His Simplicity
5. Fields Of Athenry
6. Star Of The County Down
7. The Last Rose Of Summer
8. Red Is The Rose
9. Lift The Wings
10. Ireland Mother Ireland
11. She Is Far From The Land
12. Green Isle Of Erin
13. Percy French Medley:
-Phil The Fluther s Ball
-Come Back Paddy Reilly
-The Lay Of The West Clare Railway
14. Mary From Dungloe
15. Isle Of Inisfree
16. There Is A Flower
17. As I Sit Here
18. The Kerry Dance
19. Go Lassie Go


Format: CD

Amazon.com

Just a year after their smash breakthrough debut album--itself still riding high in the charts--the Irish Tenors have added another delightfully varied collection to their discography. Live in Belfast again showcases the group's obvious concert charisma from a performance given in February 2000. It's a generous smorgasbord of medleys, traditional numbers, and songs from popular sources (including "Scorn Not His Simplicity," which Sinead O'Connor has interpreted)--mixing nostalgic sentimentality with selections of bittersweet melancholy. Binding the whole together is the unmistakable stylish charm of the Irish Tenors, whether singing in solos or in ensembles. But the biggest surprise for fans already hooked on the Tenors is the introduction of Finbar Wright as replacement for original member John McDermott. Wright's bright, romantic voice easily wins over a potentially skeptical crowd--especially in the dreamy "Isle of Innisfree"--and blends nicely with his colleagues. (McDermott, who had to bow out of the performance due to the death of his mother, makes a surprise appearance to solo in a memorable and touching "The Last Rose of Summer"--given as a tribute to his parents--and to rejoin the Tenors for "Red Is the Rose.") The arrangements by Tenors producer Frank McNamara are played with zest by the Orchestra Warsaw Sinfonia. --Tom May

Customer Reviews:

Great Music and Outstanding Voices.......2007-03-28

My wife and I saw these tenors live and on stage and we were truly impressed. Their voices blend beautifully and they present a well rounded variety of songs. We so enjoyed the first CD that we bought this current one.

Time for a new one.......2001-10-19

I bought this CD, (plus the video) in July 2000 and listened to it so much I think it must be just about worn out.!!!The video I have seen so often I bet I have seen every idiosyncrasy of each of them. The Tenors are almost my total pastime. About 12 hours a day, listening and viewing. I "met" them July 22/00 and have been to four concerts, and I'm still impressed by the joyous sounds of their voices.
It's been a lomg time since I wrote my last review of this CD, but I hope I have helped to encourage others to enjoy the thrill of the most magnificent voices of their lives.
The Tenor's #1 Fan,,,, Joan Way

Wonderful music, wonderful voices.......2001-05-31

I do not claim to be a musical expert. It has always been my contention that music which makes the listener feel good, which raises the spirits and makes the heart glad, is worthy of being heard. Such is this CD. I don't listen to it to search for flaws, flubs, failings and screw-ups. I listen to it because it makes me happy. I am of Irish ancestry, and this wonderful music stirs a core deep within my soul. I got to hear some traditional Irish folk music I'd never heard before. I would hope that all those who listen to this CD would choose to enumerate its merits based on the fact that this music is meant to lighten the soul. It never was meant to be held up to intense scrutiny, because it is folk music. These are the songs the people sang. They weren't meant to be grand, classical opera, and should not be regarded or critiqued as such. They are beautiful and moving, just as they stand, and I am grateful that God gave these four men such voices to sing these old tunes and to preserve them for the generations to come. God knows we need positive, beautiful music now more than ever.

Professional on professionals.......2001-05-05

I am taking from the best in the world. I have met Pavarotti's teachers (Joan Doanerman and Joan Sutherland) and also take from them. I am very well-known in musical analyzing and teaching. I have read all reviews, and personally, many of you need to learn much more about proper vocal technique to be a critic. The voice must flow, with support (breath), low larynx, etc. All four tenors possess the proper singing qualities. However, stage presence, song interpretation, and musicianship also take into affect. Finbar Wright needs to continue his musicianship. He possesses much more romanticism than he shows. Also, anyone can say words like "texturing, spellbinding and dominance," and sound like a knowledgeable critic. However, these words are thrown into sports review as well. Face it folks, know what you are saying. John McDermott has a beautiful voice, but it is a much different classical style than many people know. John is a Celtic Tenor, which means that his under- and overtones will sound much different than the other three. The symphony is NOT too dominant, David Schierholz. If you have worked with the Met recording studios, than you can talk with me, because I have sat in on them. These are live performances, not takes in a studio. Folks, I am a born and bred Irishman. These men are great, but there needs to be more of there individual literature available. I would love to find Anthony Kearns classical recordings. Then, when you have studied and understand the nature of the voice and theatre, then you can write your reviews.

Tenners for Tenors.......2001-02-16

This cd and video was my introduction to the wonderful "Irish Tenors". Seperately each is spellbinding. Together they are nothing short of magical. Finbar Wright is a dashingly romantic figure while Ronan Tynan is most compelling. Anthony Kearns will be a major star someday in the opera world. His voice is clear and strong. Wright's voice soars in songs such as "Carrickfergus" and "Isle of Innisfree". He seems a bit nervous which is understandable given he had only 10 days to prepare for this concert. He was asked literally days before the performance to step in for John McDermott. Thank goodness he did! The one downer for me was the appearance of John McDermott as his voice is not my cup of tea.

Average customer rating: Wonderful! Simple and sweet songs Marvellous cd, enchanting music Good if you want to sing from the book but can't read music Didn't like the voice.

Lullabies: A Songbook Companion Manufacturer: Essay ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Lullabies | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lullabies: An Illustrated Songbook Lullabies and Poems for Children (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) A Treasury of Children's Songs: Forty Favorites to Sing and Play Go In and Out the Window: An Illustrated Songbook For Children The Library of Children's Song Classics ASIN: B00000083Z Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

1. All Through The Night
2. All The Pretty Little Horses
3. All Night, All Day
4. Armenian Lullaby
5. Baby's Bed's A Silver Moon
6. Baloo, Baleerie
7. Brahms' Lullaby
8. Brezairola
9. Traumerei, Op. 15, No. 1
10. Can Ye Sew Cushions
11. By'm Bye
12. Bye, Baby Bunting - Golden Slumbers
13. Dance To Your Daddy - Dance, Little Baby
14. Fais Dodo
15. Good Night To You All
16. Jocelyn: Berceuse
17. Hush, Little Baby
18. Kumbayah
19. Little Boy Blue
20. Suo Gan
21. Matthew, Mark, Luke, And John
22. Mozart's Lullaby
23. Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15, No. 1
24. Now The Day Is Over - Raindrops
25. Raisins And Almonds
26. Rock-A-Bye, Baby
27. Rocking - The Sandman
28. Tales Of Hoffman: O Bell Nuit - Bacarolle
29. Skidamarink
30. Sleep, Baby, Sleep
31. Sweet And Low
32. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
33. Toora, Loora, Loora
34. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: Twinkel, Twinkel, Little Star
35. When At Night I Go To Sleep

Amazon.com

Released as a companion piece to the award-winning book Lullabies: An Illustrated Songbook, this hour-plus of music is a wonderful mix of stately classical themes and child-friendly vocals. The selections range from "All the Pretty Little Horses" to a global spread of lullabies drawn from classical and folk traditions. The music is spare, with Kapp on piano, Julianne Baird and Kapp's daughter Madeline on vocals, and Mela Tenenbaum on violin, viola, and occasional vocals. Most of the classical selections (from Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Edmund Elgar, W.A. Mozart, et al.) get a straight-ahead, accomplished treatment. Lest you think the project stuffy, each of the melodies is in the one- to two-minute range, which effectively mandates a stronger sense of flow than most children's collections. Kapp, who managed to create a visual and poetic flow in the Lullabies book, keeps things nicely in a groove here, knowing enough to segue into silly tracks about halfway through the CD to provide a wider emotional range. This album every bit as accomplished as the book. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!.......2007-02-14

I love this CD. It's very well-done, and the approach is different than most children's CDs - very refined, yet soothing. I don't get tired of listening to it the way I do others -- which is important when trying to get a little one to sleep! I highly recommend it and the companion book.

Simple and sweet songs.......2006-04-02

With just piano, violin and vocals, this is a simple and heartfelt album. Ms. Baird's voice conveys the full emotions that a mother feels for her new baby with clean and open singing. The first track in particular, "All Through The Night," still makes me teary. I played this in the hospital when my son was born, and we use it as part of our wind-down ritual. I do agree that some of the songs are a little upbeat for bedtime. We just skip those in the evening (using iTunes).

Marvellous cd, enchanting music.......2005-10-18

Our whole family loves this cd. I am continually charmed and refreshed by the subtlety, taste and musicianship that has gone into these arrangements of well- and lesser-known gems. Apart from the joy of the simple yet perfect chordal progressions, listen to the warm, caressing tone imparted by the low bass notes in the piano in many of the tracks. The pace is so wonderfully leisurely, there is time to savour each song or piece, and yet each lasts only two or three minutes. The three diverse yet complementary singers, each with a tender and gentle presence suiting the subject matter, give a sense of a 19th century family musical evening. Magical.

Good if you want to sing from the book but can't read music.......2004-02-10

I bought this solely because I have the book and wanted to sing the lullabies to my kids, but I can't read music. For this purpose it is fine. The songs are not in the same order as in the book but I can deal. As a stand-alone lullaby CD I wouldn't really recommend it--the songs are not sung in a soothing manner, there's lots of variety in tempo and volume, some are even sung up-beat. The voices are not pitched high enough for babies either. That being said, I am back on Amazon today to buy it for my sister who is due any day now with her 3rd kid--we both like to sing and have the book, and songs (in book or music form) are a great present that the baby won't grow out of for a long time, and helps you bond with your little one too.

Didn't like the voice........2002-12-11

I bought this cd to go with the book and it is very frustrating because the songs on this cd are not even in the same order as the book. The singing voice fluctuates too much, it will be really soft and then it gets really high pitch. And if you have the volume set at a lower level for some songs then you can't hear other songs. I think there are better cds to buy than this one.

Average customer rating: Fine and little known british music A Soulful Bliss

Finzi, Parry and Bridge: An English Suite Gerald Finzi , Frank Bridge , Hubert Parry , William Boughton , English String Orchestra , and Martin Jones Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Shropshire Lad/Banks of Green Finzi: Clarinet Concerto Finzi: Cello Concerto; Grand Fantasia & Toccata; Eclogue English String Miniatures Vol. 2 Finzi: A Centenary Collection ASIN: B0000037EZ Release Date: 1993-11-04

Tracks:

1. A Christmas Dance - Eclogue For Piano And Strings
2. Sir Roger de Coverly: Allegro con spirito
3. An Irish Melody: Allegro moderato
4. An English Suite: Prelude
5. An English Suite: In Minuet style
6. An English Suite: Saraband
7. An English Suite: Pastoral
8. An English Suite: Air
9. An English Suite: Frolic
10. There Is A Willow Grows Aslant A Brook: Adagio e tranquillo
11. Two Entr'actes: Rosemary - Andante espressivo e molto rubato
12. Two Entr'actes: Canzonetta - Allegretto molto moderato e rubato
13. Two Old English Songs: Sally In Our Alley - Allegretto con moto
14. Two Old English Songs: Cherry Ripe - Allegro con moto
15. Two Old English Songs: Lament - Adagio, con molto espressione

Customer Reviews:

Fine and little known british music.......2000-06-26

As a fan of british music, I just had to acquire this CD. Gerald Finzi's Eclogue for piano and string orchestra is truly a gem and deserves a wider exposure. It is a work full of sadness and longing for happier times, long gone by. Bittersweet and haunting. The other selections are extremely pleasing and will undoubtedly appeal to devotees of British string music. Frank Bridge's "There is a willow grows aslant the brook" is worth mentioning for it is a seductive and harmonically forward-looking tone poem, inspired by Shakespeare's retelling of Ophelia's death in Hamlet (Act V). Its moody and brooding lyricism needs several listenings to fully seduce the listener, but it is worth the effort. As in most Nimbus Records releases the engineering is quite good but sounds a bit compressed by digital encoding or distant miking: you will need to crank up your stereo a little. This explains why I only give 4 stars to this disc. Nonetheless, a wonderful sampler of overlooked British composers.

A Soulful Bliss.......1999-12-04

I have performed the Eclogue for Piano and String Orchestra on occasions, once as the pianist and once as the concertmaster and once as a principal. Both times, I discovered something new each time and it drew me to think about sadness and beauty of Finzi's life that he was experiencing as he wrote this piece. This piece was meant to be the slow movement of his never-finished piano concert, but he died shortly after the last measure of the music was completed. This recording is the only professional recording ever made of the piece. Since it is rarely played I cannot judge with a comparison, but I know the message that the music itself is trying to communicate, and it really touches me when I ever hear it. I will say that this orchestra made a very tasteful record of the eclogue, and that this soulful bliss of music grabbed my heart and squeezed tears out. It's such a beautiful song to my ears. When the ensemble goes into the time signature or 12/8, the emotion is provokingly string - not a heavy tone, but you can feel the pulse trying to say the hard times of a lifetime, the let-down, all the sorrows. Listen for the moving second violin part, or the warmth that the first violins project despite the fact that they are way up there on the E string and the darkness of the cellos. It should get the messege more clearly across. The most important things - not techniques (making the sound that your teachers told you not to make as a soloist) but emotion and the feeling, the focus, everything difficult yet essential are required in playing this kind of piece. Like setting the scene for a sunny afternoon... or rain... or depression... something language and visual arts could have only expressed until real music came along. I conclude that the English string Orchestra has well done the job.

Average customer rating: One of the best CD's out there! a voice teacher and early music fan Prelewd to Postlewd Sounds like they're singing Christmas carols A sly and rollicksome good time!

The Art of the Bawdy Song Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande D'Urfey, Thomas | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Instruments | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Mad Buckgoat - Ancient Music of Ireland Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance Penny Merriments: Street Songs of 17th Century England The Ladyes Delight On the Banks of Helicon: Early Music of Scotland ASIN: B000001Q93 Release Date: 1993-02-11

Tracks:

1. Aniseed Robin
2. Cuckolds All A-Row
3. I Gave Her Cakes And I Gave Her Ale
4. Taking His Beer With Old Anacharsis
5. Fye, Nay, Prithee John
6. Cold And Raw
7. The Miller's Daughter
8. Will Said To His Mammy
9. The Old Fumbler
10. Walking In a Meadowe Greene
11. Celia Learning On The Spinnet
12. Tom the Taylor
13. My Lady's Coachman John
14. The Irish Jig Or The Night Ramble
15. Come Sirrah Jacke Hoe
16. Dainty Fine Aniseed Water
17. Most Men Do Love the Spanish Wine
18. Argreers
19. Gathering Peascods
20. My Lady And Her Maid
21. As Roger Last Night To Jenny Lay Close
22. Pox On You
23. Ladie Lie Near Me
24. 'Tis Women Makes Us Love
25. Sir Walter Enjoying His Damsel
26. My Thing Is My Own
27. Here Dwells a Pretty Maid
28. My Man John Had a Thing That Was Long
29. When First Amyntas Sued For a Kiss
30. More Palatino
31. Poor Owen
32. Where They Drank Their Wine
33. Come, Come, Let Us Drink

Customer Reviews:

One of the best CD's out there!.......2007-05-10

All ages and musical backgrounds love this CD. The Baltimore Consort are amazing. One really feels one is in a smoky pub in the 14oo's getting plastered with England's best musicians! Don't miss "Pox on You;" my kids absolutely howl with glee at the "bass fartophone." I haven't heard laughter like that come out of my little boy since he was a toddler. "Sweet Sir Walter" features one of the guys singing in a falsetto that sweeps lustily down into a Tim Curry-esque (think Dr. Frank-n-furter)gutteral guffaw of delight. So outrageously fun one forgets one is listening to Renaissance madrigals.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-25

These bawdy catches and ballads take us on a journey to the taverns and other social gathering places of the the real 'Merry Old England'. Some of us may be mildly shocked by the directness and earthiness of the text, but everyday life in the 17th century was much more 'down-to'earth- and forward. These texts-some blatant and other euphemistic-fully explore the spectrum of humor from the sly smirk to the back-slapping guffaw.
The singing of both ballads and catches belongs to a long and venerable tradition in England. The natural habitat of the of the catch was the tavern, while the ballad was known in a wider variety of social settings as well as the stage. By the end of the 17th century, ballads were collected by connoisseurs of popular culture and published in anthologies. The main source for this recording, 'The Catch Club, or 'Merry Companions', was printed in 1762.
A quote from the catch-philosopher (of 'Come, come let us drink') is offered by the Baltimore Consort: "...wine and good cheer will in spite of our fear inspire our hearts with mirth..the time we live, to wine let us give, since we all must turn to earth...."
This is an excellent collection of songs; quite interesting and varied. The instruments are played skillfully, and the voices, for the most part, are good quality. However, as with all 'folk-like' songs, the diction is not always clear, and that is very true of several of these on this disc. The female voices were more difficult to comprehend much of the time. The text is printed out, so ultimately familiararity will make them easier to understand. I do like the disc, and think that it needed to be done.As to a previous criticism concerning the fact that it wasn't 'true' barroom singing. Of course, it's not!!!If it were, you would not understand any of it!!!!!Enough said.

Prelewd to Postlewd.......2005-09-28

The Baltimore Consort, an ensemble of six players, was founded in 1980 with the purpose of performing 'broken consort' pieces of Elizabethan origin. 'Broken' here refers to the instrumentation - treble viol/violin, flue/recorder, lute, cittern, bandore and bass viol. Their repertoire expanded beyond these beginnings to include broader British fare, as well as French and Italian music of the time. This is a happy expansion, as it made this disc of older, bawdy (for its time) music possible.

The Baltimore Consort play with life and vigour, with a good deal of improvisational flair, not being bound to texts and going through the production of notes as if mechanically. This is true to the spirit and nature of the early music, in which performers often had to 'play by ear', neither being able to read music nor having printed music even if they could. This is particularly true of the songs on this disc, where many are derivative of anonymous jokes and stories, and much of the music is likewise folk-tune and anonymously composed.

Some of the songs can be rather shocking. As Mary Anne Ballard writes in the accompanying notes, 'We must remember that in the days before indoor plumbing and pooper-scooper laws, everyday life was of an earthier flavour than it is today.... The men of the singing clubs and the ladies of stage poked fun at themselves and their companions with wit, pleasantry and contrivance.'

The names of many of the composers of these pieces have been lost to history, particularly the more folk-song oriented ones. However, some well-known composers are represented among the pieces here - Purcell, D'Urfey, Aldridge, and others.

The regular players include Mary Anne Ballard (viols), Mark Cudek (cittern, guitar, recorder and bass viol), Custer LaRue (vocalist/soprano), Larry Lipkis (recorder, viols), Ronn McFarlane (lute), Chris Norman (flutes), Webb Wiggins (tambourine and 'virginals'). Some artists are known from other Dorian productions, such as Ronn McFarlane on the lute in the collection 'Greensleeves'.

Added to the regular consort players are the Merry Companions, including Peter Becker (baritone), Alexander Blachly (baritone), Paul Shipper (bass, belch-canto), and James Weaver (baritone).

One more addition includes a guest artist, Lorenzo Labbrobacio, playing of all things, the 'fartophone', a rather mysterious instrument indeed. Labbrobacio defies identification on the internet other than references to this disc, and so the mystery deepens.

This is music that is interesting, truly fun to listen to, entertaining and has a quality about it that makes it a joy both in musical and humourous tones.

Sounds like they're singing Christmas carols.......2004-11-09

This recording is professionally produced - perhaps too much so. I've been in a few taverns and heard my share of bawdy songs. I am used to hearing them sung with gusto, with a wink and a naughty smile, to the raucous and enthusiastic appreciation of the audience. The songs on this CD are performed entirely straight. The results are technically competent but fail utterly in conveying the spirit and fun that make this genre worth listening to.

A sly and rollicksome good time!.......2002-11-29

On this recording, the Baltimore Consort and the Merry Companions are full of fun, both blatant and tongue-in-cheek. Soprano Custer La Rue and the instrumentalists of the Consort are joined by a quartet of classical male singers (Peter Becker, Alexander Blachly, Paul Shipper and James Weaver) with quite a theatrical sense of humor. The two groups take turns presenting ribald tavern songs of merry old England, interspersed by light, catchy instrumentals listed in the credits as the "Prelewd", the "Interlewd" and a "Fresh Ayre". Drinking, sex and other bodily functions are both celebrated and ridiculed in songs that are cleverly worded and enthusiastically sung, and in at least one case, accompanied by a mysterious instrument (reminiscent of P.D.Q. Bach) called a "fartophone". Especially amusing are the "catches" or rounds, and the new meanings that result from the staggering of words when several different verses are all sung together. It sounds silly, and is silly, but that's the point of it all--celebrating the "earthier flavor" of life 17th and 18th century England. My copy came with a parental advisory sticker stuck fast to the case, but my mother didn't seem overly concerned, and in fact enjoyed it too when I played it for her! For more fun Renaissance vocals, both salacious and serious, try "All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals" by the King's Singers, and "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain, Germany" by the King's Singers and the Consort of Musicke.

Average customer rating: Sparkling and jazzy harp music

Dance to Your Shadow Kim Robertson Manufacturer: Narada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Spiral Gate Angels in Disguise Wood, Fire & Gold Angels in Disguise Highland Heart ASIN: B000059RT6 Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

1. Morning Dew
2. Dance To Your Shadow
3. Mantle So Green
4. Sally Gardens/Rider's Song/Apples In Winter
5. My Johnny Was A Shoemaker/Cobbler's Jig
6. O'Keefe's Slide
7. Piper's Despair
8. Inisheer
9. No' My Plaid/Strayaway Child
10. I Once Loved A Lass
11. Broken Prayer
12. Farewell To Stromness
13. Ca' The Yowes/Plough The Stars

Amazon.com

Kim Robertson has created a unique harp style by playing Celtic melodies with a jazz improviser's sense of rhythm and a classical harpist's sophisticated technique. On Dance to Your Shadow she uses Irish songs and dance tunes as a launching pad for a series of improvisations and meditations that blend traditional Celtic sounds like the harp, fiddle, flute, and accordion with instruments from other cultures like the djembe, didgeridoo, and tabla. Robertson is joined by an excellent crew of accompanists, including fiddler Liz Carroll, accordionist John Williams, and George Winston, who sits in on harmonica. It is a tribute to the musicality of Robertson and her fellow musicians that selections like "Morning Dew," with its mix of Celtic melody and Indian rhythm, and the title track, which features a beautifully ethereal vocal by Robertson herself, sound so organic and unforced. The music on Dance to Your Shadow has its roots in the ancient music of Ireland, but its spirit is universal. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Sparkling and jazzy harp music.......2002-11-30

Combining elements of Celtic, contemporary and world music, Kim Robertson and friends continue to stretch their creative boundaries with innovative arrangements of traditional material and compelling new compositions. Kim's breathy vocals are featured, along with the fiddle playing of Liz Carroll, the flutistry of Chris Norman (of the Baltimore Consort), the accordion of John Williams, and a host of other instruments blown, strummed, bowed and beaten. The title "Dance to your Shadow" is taken from a Gaelic legend about Mary Macrae, of the Isle of Harris. Persecuted for her "old world ways" of spiritual reveling by "the bigots of an iron time, who called her simple art a crime", she "went her own way, chanting her...mouth music, and dancing to her own shadow when nothing else was available. A fugitive remnant of an ancient and grand people, never to return." Fortunately, we live in an age where at least some of us have the freedom to spiritually revel as we wish, inspired by profound and sparkling music such as this. May it be so, some day soon, for all in this world.

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10. Moby Dick Von Herman Melville [Import]

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