Album Notes

"Instruments of Heavenly Blessedness are the Harp and the Psaltery" - Hildegard of Bingen

BELOVED MINE is the latest release from the acclaimed Celtic/Folk/Renaissance duo Jay and Abby Michaels – The Harper and The Minstrel.

The CD features a beautiful collection Renaissance, Celtic and Original Music performed by this exceptional husband and wife musical team.

The Music on this CD is performed with Harp, Flute, Recorder, Bowed Psaltery, Penny Whistle, Divergent Flute, Guitar and exquisite Vocals.

Jay and Abby Michaels have brought their music to many parts of the country including Florida, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. They are regular performers at The Florida Renaissance Festival and many other Renaissance Faires. They also appear at Folk and Celtic Festivals, Coffee Houses, Farmers Markets and other venues.

“On our last album FOR A MOMENT we branched out a bit”, says Jay Michaels, “we included our versions of some more modern cover songs and some originals more in the Folk, singer-songwriter vein. With this CD it’s back to our Early Music roots with the emphasis on Renaissance Music. We’ve also included some Celtic favorites from the Renaissance era and later, and some of our original material.”

The original material includes a love song written as a birthday gift from Jay to Abby.
“When Abby and I first got together,” says Jay; “she was working as a waitress at this Diner doing an Oldies Music/Antique Car theme. I was watching her work and had this idea for a song.” Abby continues; “There he was, sitting at a table with all this really loud 50’s music playing, and he is busy writing away…writing this beautiful Renaissance love song! The next week for my birthday he gave me BELOVED MINE.”

The song WITH YOU AT THE FAIRE was inspired by the Renaissance Faire experience, and specifically by the Florida Renaissance Festival near Fort Lauderdale. “We have performed at that Festival for a few years now,” says Jay, “and we have forged a lot of really great friendships there. Not just other performers, but people who attend the Faire. Folks have been wonderful to us when we are on the road. They invite us to their homes for dinner. This song was a way to say ‘thank you’ to the Renaissance Festivals and to the wonderful people who work at them and attend them!”

For more information on Jay and Abby Michaels – The Harper and The Minstrel including tour dates, visit their official website:
www.theharperandtheminstrel.com