Album Notes

"The Last Day Of The Fair" is the third CD that The Harper and the Minstrel have recorded together. The tittle song was inspired by The King Richard's Faire, a Renaissance festival held every fall in Carver, Massachusetts. The Harper and the Minstrel are out on the road many months of each year performing at Medieval festivals, and when the season ends, there is saddness. This song attempts to capture the bitter-sweet melancholy feeling felt by Faire performers and patrons on the last day of the Faire season.

"Believe" is one of the duos most requested songs. It was inspired by Celtic legends of the Faeries and the Elves. It is said that, in times past, Faeries and Elves were often seen in Celtic groves. Some say we no longer see them, because we no longer believe in them.

"The Session" was written the morning after playing at an Irish music session at an Irish pub in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.

This CD also features The Harper and the Minstrel's unique arrangements of many traditional Celtic and Renaissance songs. Track 15 is a bonus cut featuring a live version of the song "Home", an original that was written in 1976.

The Harper and the Minstrel are Jay and Abby Michaels.
Jay plays the nylon and wire-strung Celtic Harps, Guitar and Sings.
Abby Sings, plays the Flute, Guitar and Harp. Together they perform traditional and popular music from the Celtic lands, Renaissance music and original compositions.


Here's what the Autumn 2006 issue of Faerie Magazine says about the CD...

The Last Day of the Faire is the fourth CD from The Harper and the Minstrel. Jay and Abby Michaels, a husband and wife duo based in New England, perform at area Renaissance Festivals, Irish Pubs and coffee houses.
With lilting vocals, hypnotic harp, and occasional guitar and flute evoke the sensation of a warm spring day spent in an enchanted place, or perhaps a wooded glade conjured in fantasy. The lovely material is performed in traditional styles and keys, lending to an old-world feel to the arrangements. While many artists strive to appeal strictly to the modern ear, the Michaels adeptly create the feel of the ancient traveling minstrels with their simple and soulful sounds.
Of fifteen tracks on this compilation, five - including the title song -- are composed by the Michaels, and transport the listener to a land of faeries and fantasy. The remainder are traditional English and Irish folk songs, including such favorites as
"Once I Had a Sweetheart", "The Blacksmith", "Carrickfergus" and "The Wild Rover."***


Celtic Harper and Harp Maker George Leverett of www.altarwind.com says:
"The Last Day of the Faire seems to have become a permanent fixture in our car's c.d. player. I think all your music is beautiful and great, but I am most fond of your original work. When I listen to your original music I sometimes think to myself 'I wish I had written that!'. There aren't many songs I can say that about."

CD Review from the Fall 2006 Celtic Beat Magazine...

The Harper & The Minstrel are a husband and wife duo: Jay(on harp) and Abby Michaels(vocals and flute) who have become mainstays of the Renaissance and Medieval Fair circuit in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic. So not surprisingly they begin this release with the title cut "The Last Day of The Faire" which is their own composition. This is a good piece of work, a far cut above so much that is sometime seen at these events. This because the Michaels are most capable musicians. This is proven out in what they do with traditional tunes. As in fine harp work by Jay with song from Abby in "Come By The Hills" which is one of those tunes which they would be thought "naturals" for. There is a fine "Westlind Wind" where Jay switches over to guitar. Guitar also works with "Once I Had A Sweetheart" which is my own favorite on this release. Jay goes back to harp for "Blacksmith" with Abby for vocals. This is also strong. For purely instrumentals there is a very charming "Sheebeg Sheemore" here.
The Harper and The Minstrel certainly have an understanding and more about tradition and the way they bring it into their art. -AK