Customer Reviews

English Country Dances

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

 

 

This group has been playing together for many years. The sound of the album reflects that. They all sound as if they have a great appreciation for what the other person is doing. They don't get in each others way. The melody is clearly carried along and they have a lot of fun with it. To take these very simple tunes and make them sound this good really is a sign of great musicians. I don't know if people who are unfmailiar with Contra and English COuntry dance will like this album, but anyone who likes this style of music will enjoy it, and it is very musical and melodic, so lots of other people who are turned off by the mixed production and musical qualities of folk albums by other groups, will enjoy this. It is good music played with spirit, skill, style and taste,

I don't knwo how this music is for dancing, not being one, but as a musician and a listener, I find this album a joy through and through. Bare Necessities is a quartet of musicians (pianist, 2 violinists, and a flute/recorder/guitar/penny whistle player) with a taste for very pleasant ornamentations on the melodies. I can't describe the music to you, but if you remember Ken Burns' "Civil War" series, you -may- recall the light, soft piano throughout - - the pianist there was in this group, and her delicate style is in evidence here. The songs here are rarely delicate, but the ornamentation is light. Some of the songs are fast elizabethan tunes like Jamaica, and use interesting chromatics (Jamaica itself sharps the fourth and fifth notes of the key), others have haunting melodies (Well Hall). I've been listening to this since, oh, 1984, and am completely taken by it.

Great not only for sweet listening, but also for English Country Dancing gatherings. These guys take it to a new level! This is a must have for those who love renaissance music, combined with soaring improvs.

I got this a couple weeks ago, and have been listening to it practically nonstop. I would give it 5 stars if it had Mr. Beveridge's Maggot (which is what I thought "Dick's Maggot" might be). I especially liked track 5, Juice for Barley, which I'd never heard before. Altogether very good.