mediæval bæbes - illumination (2009)

A rich tapestry of female voices at their very best. Sharp drum beats, breathy lead vocals and a hint of the Middle East along with swelling orchestral backing.

Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Swedish, Cadenet, Scottish English, German, Manx Gaelic, Spanish, Welsh, Bavarian, Provençal, Irish Gaelic, modern English and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.

The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence, this juxtaposition most notably apparent in the Bæbes's latest album Illumination (2009) produced by KK (Kevin Kerrigan).



T r a c k L i s t i n g s

1.Desert Rose
2.Suscipe Flos Florem
3.The Blacksmiths
4.To the One
5.Miracle
6.I Sing Of A Maiden
7.The Undivided
8.Ecce Chorus Virginum
9.Mad Song
10.My Lady Sleeps
11.Yonder Lea
12.Till A’ The Seas Gang Dry
13.Sunrise
14.La Belle Dame Sans Merci
15.Swete Jhesu, King of Blisse (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
16.Myrie Songen (Limited Edition Bonus Track)



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