Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance

Jean d' Estree (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), John [Composer] Johnson (Composer), Thomas Ravenscroft (Composer), Richard Alison (Composer), Thomas Morley (Composer), William [Composer] Byrd (Composer), John Dowland (Composer), English Traditional (Composer), Richard Nicholson (Composer), English Anonymous (Composer), Baltimore Consort (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Baltimore Consort
• Composer: Jean d' Estree, Anonymous, John [Composer] Johnson, Thomas Ravenscroft, Richard Alison, et al.
• Audio CD (May 22, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dorian Recordings
• ASIN: B000001Q8Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,598 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Renaissance (c.1450-1600) > Composers
  • #25 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > General
  • #26 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > General AAS

Track Listings

1. Bouffons (The Buffens), branle for 5 parts (Tiers livre de danceries)

2. Nuttmigs and Ginger, for consort

3. Green Garters

4. There Were Three Ravens, for voice(s) & ensemble

5. Howell's Delight, for consort

6. Goe from My Window for consort

7. Greensleeves for consort

8. La sampogna, fantasia for instrumental consort

9. Unto the Prophet Jonas I Read, for consort

10. The Carman's Whistle, air & variations for keyboard, MB 36

11. Can she excuse my wrongs, for 4 voices & lute (First Book of Songs)

12. Lachrimae Pavan, for keyboard or lute (from "Lachrimae")

13. Quadro Pavin, for consort

14. Grimstock

15. De la Tromba Pavan for consort

16. The Jew's Dance, for lute & recorder (from Thomas Morley's "The First Booke

17. Pavane Quadro & Galliard, for consort

18. Joyne Hands, for consort of instruments (from "The First Booke of Conso

19. Watkin's Ale, song

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the spirit of a live performance, June 14, 2000

By 

Bookseller "pbtad" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance (Audio CD)

A few years ago I had the privilege of seeing the Baltimore Consort perform live. It was an electrifying evening filled with great energy and sound. This CD manages to capture that. It is an excellent recording that definitely does justice to the material.

In addition, the selection of song is varied and allows a lot of the period specific instruments to demonstrate what kind of sound they can make.

Also, I always consider it a bonus when the lyrics to the songs are included. I think its even better (and rarer) when that happens with early Renaissance music. In this case, the CD not only come with the lyrics in English, but in German and French as well.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pure artistic joy-bottled and caught up on a compact disc, June 6, 2001

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance (Audio CD)

I have already noted my fondness for The Baltimore Consort, and Custer LaRue in particular, elsewhere...but I still feel compelled to praise this album--"Watkins Ale." It is awesome. "Watkins Ale" is, like most of The Consort's recordings, pure artistic joy-bottled and caught up on a compact disc. LaRue's singing, and the playing of the rest of the crew, is absolutely stunning. "There Were Three Ravens" is a deep, beautifully dark, introspective masterpiece. Some of the instrumentals are worth the price of the disc by themselves. The rendition of Dowland's Lachrimae Pavan is--like the rest of the disc--sheer brilliance! If I've put too many commas in my review, it is because I lack the proper superlatives for the task at hand...I recommend this CD most highly.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just an alcoholic drink, August 9, 2004

By 

Matthew Mendlik (Boston, MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance (Audio CD)

The Baltimore Consort are performers in the truest sense -- the energy and sheer brilliance they exude during performances is infectious and heady. Luckily for those of us who rarely or never get to see them perform, all of this comes across in their recordings. This CD makes both an excellent introduction for those uninitiated in the joy that is English Renaissance music, and an important addition to the library of anyone already familiar with such music. The emotion, grace and at times sheer bawdiness of the Baltimore Consort's performances will entertain you and make you smile with glee; "Watkins Ale" is *not* just some sort of alcohol proffered to a young maiden by a strapping young lad -- it may take some careful listening and thinking about the text to realize this! Custer LaRue's flawless vocals, here sounding like a young woman and there like a young lad, are breathtaking. Check your pulse if you don't find yourself dancing along.