Bartholomew Faire’s long-awaited second recording is, as the title suggests, a disparate selection of the group’s favorite ‘jam-session’ tunes, ranging from 13th century Spain through 16th century France, to 17th century England and 18th century Ireland. Pipe & tabor, Gothic bagpipes, harp, lute, medieval hurdy-gurdies (symfony and organistrum), recorders, mandolin, the Arabic al’ud, capped shawm, and other arcane instruments are all complimented by a galaxy of exotic percussion.
Many of these pieces are classic “Renaissance Faire” faves, like “Branle des Chevaliers” and “Schiarazula Marazula,” then there are some fairly lesser-known gems, like Carolan’s “Cremonea,” and “Cantiga 180.” Styles range from the “Renaissance Loud Band” sound of “Goddesses,” with mighty Gothic bagpipes, pipe & tabor, shawm, Kelhorn and driving percussion, to the gentle Celtic mandolin, harp and recorder of “Miss Hamilton” by Carolan’s contemporary Mr Cornelius Lyons; from the straight-up Renaissance jump of Schein’s “Allemande & Saltarello,” to the exotic Muslim/Christian/Jewish Spain of Alfonso X, the wise Astronomer-King of Leon and Castile, and his monumental Cantigas de Santa Maria, featuring al’ud, dumbek and bladder-pipe.
Stefan Mark Dollak played the lute, mandolin, medieval hurdy-gurdies (symfony and organistrum), pipe & tabor, pipe & string drum, recorders, Kelhorn, krummhorn, capped-reed shawm and the bladder-pipe.
Louis Rodriguez played the al’ud, medieval citole and Gothic bagpipe.
Danielle Franklin played the Gothic harp.
David Newton played assorted frame drums, bendir, cajon, medieval bass drum, spring and ocean drums, doumbek, riq, and hand claps. David also recorded, mixed and mastered this CD.
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