Things That Do Sound So Fair (2007)
Personnel:
Darren Giles - harp, jaw harp, percussion
Adam Iredale-Gray - fiddle, vocal
Jude Pelley - mandola, mandolin, dulcimer, vocal, whistle, percussion
Eric Reiswig - small pipes, cornemuse, flute, whistle, mandolin, cittern, dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, vocal, percussion
Lael Whitehead - vocal, recorder, whistle, percussion
Track Listing
01 - Jean de Neville, Tourdion
"Jean de Nivelle" was published in 1616 by Jacques Mangeant in "Recueil des Plus Belles Chansons des Comédiens Français." It's full of ribald double-entendres and innuendo. We follow it here with Tourdion, which was a lively dance popular in 15th century France.
02 - Carolan's Welcome, Eagle's Whistle
Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was the last of the great blind Irish Harpers and composers. This is one of some 200-odd of his tunes. "Eagle's Whistle" is a fine old Irish march, which we've changed around to play in a minor key, and now sounds more French than Irish.
03 - A Scot's Rant, Why Grucchen We?
"A Scots Rant" was included in the 1665 edition of John Playford's "Dancing Master." It's followed here by an original composition of Eric's. The title "Why Grucchen We?" is from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," and means "Why do we complain?"
04 - Jean Petit
This is a French children's song used nowadays to teach the parts of the body. As with many children's songs, this one has a darker history: it's apparently an account of Petit Jean being broken part by part on the rack.
05 - Galician Waltzes
Two lovely waltzes from the Galician region of Northwestern Spain.
06 - Lamento de Tristano, La Rotta, Chanters Tune
The first pair of tunes are from 14th century Italy. We've added "The Chanter's Song," an Irish march, as an accompaniment to La Rotta.
07 - John Barleycorn
Many versions of this English folksong are known, going back as far as the 1500's. We've created yet another version by using an existing set of lyrics, set to an original tune by Eric.
08 - Playford Set (
Jenny Pluck Pears / Goddesses / Childgrove)
These are three English country dance tunes, from the 17th century "Dancing Master" by John Playford.
09 - Breton Set (
Zannabal / Dans An Dro / French Soap Opera Theme)
The first two tunes in this set are traditional tunes from Brittany. The third is one we found on the internet, and is apparently the theme music from a French television show.
10 - Rakes of Baghdad, Tant m'Abelis
"Rakes of Baghdad" is an original composition by Adam Iredale-Gray.. We've coupled it with the melody of "Tant m'abelis joys et amors e chans" by Berenguier de Palou, a 12th century Catalan troubadour.
11 - Scottisch fran Havero, Brandgul Revolutionen
The first melody is a traditional Swedish dance tune. The second is an original composition by Darren Giles, titled (in Swedish) after the 2004-2005 "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine.
12 - l'Amour de Moi
This song is from the 15th century French "Manuscript de Bayeux." We were unable to resist changing it to a minor key. Lead vocal is by Jennifer Lang.
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