All Our Ancestors - Tuu

Advantages: Wonderful Christmas CD
Disadvantages: None

...there are 27 songs and tunes on the CD, many of them are, by modern standards, quite short, some being only a little over one minute in length. There are a range of songs on the CD. Some (such as Ductia, Angelus ad Virgimem, Alleluia Psall at and Ecce Quod Natura are English compositions, whilst others on the CD are from France and one is from Germany. The composers and authors of the vast majority of these songs are listed as "anon" their names lost in the long centuries of history. The composers of two songs are, however, known. A Sollis Ortus a French song was composed by Gilles Binchois in the 15 century and Tard Il Mio Cor, which is an English song composed by John Hothby, also in the 15 century. I find it both interesting and very moving that our Medieval ancestors could have listened to at least some of these very same tunes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great songs, unparalleled singing and playing
Disadvantages: None

...Anthems in Eden is rightly considered one of the must-have records for lovers of traditional British music. Shirley Collins has the perfect voice for all the material presented here, and she is backed superbly by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort, who play ancestors of our contemporary string and brass instruments in arrangements which fit the songs brilliantly. The first half of the recording is presented as a song cycle; themes played by the Consort, alongside Shirley's sister Dolly on organ, dart in and out, while Shirley herself contributes fine renditions of traditional songs including "Searching for Lambs", "A Blacksmith", *Lowlands" and "Pleasant and Delightful". Producer Austin John Marshall adds a contemporary lyric to "The False Bride" and the whole thing coalesces in a deeply affecting way. The male chorus... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A truly great CD
Disadvantages: None whatsoever!

...One of my other musical passions is Cajun music. Cajun music is the music of the Cajun people of southern Louisiana. The history of the Cajun people is a tough one. Thrown out of their settlement of Arcadie in Canada (because, as French settlers they declined to swear allegiance to the British Crown) they eventually settled in southern Louisiana. They were a separate people, virtually a race apart, separated by the harsh environment and by their language, a sort of combination of French and some English. Cajun music is largely played using the fiddle and or the accordion, with accompaniment provided by triangles or similar rhythm instruments. Though some guitar might also be used. Cajun music is an exceptionally joyous music. It is almost as if they, as a people, are saying: "Well, our ancestors crossed an ocean, they got forced out... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful