Customer Reviews

Songs and Dances from Shakespeare

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

 

 

The other reviews do not do justice to this excellent CD. This is among the very best of the CDs for those interested in the songs and dances of Shakespeare. Deborah Roberts' version of "O' Mistress Mine.." is best of the many I have heard. For those interested in additional dance tunes from the English Dancing Master (John Playford), I can strongly recommend the Broadside Band's Playford CDs--these are simply the best.

I liked all of the music on the CD but the dances and jigs were the high spirited music I was looking for when I placed my order. Anyone who has been to a traditional Shakespeare festival will appreciate this CD. The only way this CD could have been better is if more dances could have been included in lieu of some of the more somber songs that were not directly associated with Shakespearean plays.

While the singers on this album may not all have the most lovely voices, all the music sounds authentic and is quite lovely to listen to. It contains a wide range of both melancholy and joyful songs. Though all the music on this is well performed, I must say that I especially loved the song 'O Sweet Oliver.'

This audio CD is an excellent way to get into the spirit of the Shakespeare writings. The recordings were well-done and the voices exciting to listen to. I purchased this as a gift for a college teacher of Shakespeare classes and she was delighted with the production. What an enhancement to any Shakespeare rendering.

This is a superb CD of the music from shakespearean times. Easy to listen to and evocative of the era. The artists are first class and the product can not be faulted

This is a wonderful CD. After listening to the CD, I read The Tempest. Then, I listened to the CD again. I listen to the CD often. I bought extra CDs to give as presents.

'Songs and Dances from Shakespeare' by The Broadside Band, directed by Jeremy Barlow follows in the footsteps of almost all performances of Elizabethan music in that it is intellectually engaging, but just a bit short on visceral impact. As soon as the first 'Hey nonny nonny no' line pops up, something in my mind just shuts down until the next track rolls around.

One thing to keep in mind is that we simply do not know for sure how this stuff was actually performed in the Globe theatre in 1606. I'm not even sure we know if there was music performed in the course of Shakespeare's comedies.

I have little problem when the music shows up in context, as it does, for example, in Kenneth Branagh's production of 'Much Ado About Nothing' with its faire share of 'Hey Nonnies'. But that's in context with the beautiful Tuscan landscape in the background and attractive performers in the foreground, and Shakespeare's great lines all about.

This is a good and interesting album, but there is not much to grab you and hold your attention. Thus, it may not be the album to turn you on to Renaissance music. But, if you already like it, you will find it engaging.