Customer Reviews

Annie Laurie: Folksongs of the British Isles

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The King's Singers got started a few decades ago doing exclusively classical material, and most of that was pre-1700. Now, many years on, (and after several changes in the group's membership) they have long since branched out into pop and other genres.

This CD (along with another similar one, "Watching the White Wheat") really show off their UK roots, with English, Scottish, and Irish folksongs. The arrangements are mostly quite good, and all the performances are excellent. Deserving of special mention are: (on the slow, poignant side) "Annie Laurie", and "The Ash Grove". [Note: the arrangement of "Annie Laurie" heard here is different from, and I think inferior to, the arrangement they did on an old out-of-print LP called "Atlantic Bridge", where they did both Britsh and American folksongs -- that LP is Highly Recommended (if you can find it -- good luck!)]

Anyway, back to the review: on the up-tempo side, two very fun tunes are "Going to Towyn" and "Mairi's Wedding". For you singers out there, the score for the latter is available in a 3-part arrangement, and is rather easy to learn.

The cracked, maimed, and scuffed CD case that I am looking at right now is in itself testement to the addictive qualities of this recording. I have had this CD for almost a year and it has wandered the country with me (we just got back from No. Cal. ;) I listen to it almost every night before I go to sleep. The beautifully blended harmonies on this CD are gorgeous and I have fallen completly in love with the countertenor voices. All of the tacks are wonderful but my favorites are (#2)The Skye Boat Song (listen to this while reading Diana Gabaldon!) (#4) Annie Laurie (#6) Danny Boy and (#17) Eriskay Love Lilt. *Whew* that was hard, I can't pick my favorites easily. Buy this CD for it's gorgeous cover and fall in love with the music!

This CD, along with Watching the White Wheat, is consistently a top seller on the group's US tours. Solid musicianship, great passion and emotion brought into the singing. There is some instrumental work done on this disc, but it doesn't overpower the singers.

To correct Mr. Beamer's statement in his review, the KS have indeed been doing pop and all genres of music since their founding in 1968. In fact, it was the inappropriateness of singing pop and light music with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, that led a small group to branch off and sing all genres of music, including pop, on their own time ... this leading to the founding of the King's Singers.

I bought this CD after seeing the King's Singers in concert. Everytime I listen to it, it takes me back to a magical evening, and a magical place- the British Isles. These songs are beautifully arranged and sung. I never get tired of listening to these timeless folk songs that have been weaved into the cultural fabric of America and others around the world.

My overall reaction to this CD is one of disappointment. There are positive attributes: I like the selection of songs, for instance, and the King's Singers do have lovely voices. However, I prefer folk music "straight-up",simple, and sincere. The first adjective that springs to mind when listening to this CD is OVER-ARRANGED! Too many la-la-la's and tum-ta-tum's, too much chiming in, too much determined effort to work harmonies into each song, all leading to an effect of sameness. I would prefer more solo efforts, duets ,some songs devoted to highlighting the contraltos, some the tenors, etc - just not all voices on all tracks.....

I love this CD, the arrangements for these folk songs are superb. The songs picked are fun and beatiful representatives of English Folk songs. One of my favorite CD's.

This album is a wonderful collecion of the favorite songs of the English Isles. It is a wonderful album to begin your knowledge on Renaissance music.

From one of the classiest sets of pipes in the English language comes an album by the King's Singers -- superb at whatever style of music they try their collective hand at -- doing what they do best: singing the old songs of their native land. "Annie Laurie" brings us the title track plus "Scarborough Fair," "Mary's Wedding," "Londonderry Air," "Drunken Sailor" (one that takes me back to my high school choral days), "Skye Boat Song" (my personal favorite) and many others. The Singers' rich harmonies, impeccable phrasing and imaginative arrangements bring out vocal nuances that are nothing short of remarkable. Many of the selections are a capella, others are accompanied by guitarist Manuel Barrueco and/or Nancy Hadden on flute. "Annie Laurie" is, in short, a wonderful album.

The parents loved it, I loved it. It's just good singing. But who needs a review for this, just listen to the samples.

A very pleasing collection, tastefully arranged and very well performed. The recording is a bit too close.Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers