FANTASIA LINDUM

1. "Fantasia Lindum" (20:13) this ten-part suite is quite faithful to the free-form antiquated musical constructs that might have been composed and/or performed by courtly or fair performers. The peaceful, relaxed tone of the music might be a bit fantastical--a projection of 20th Century luxury and largesse--as Renaissance and Baroque motets may not have been so fanciful and romantically optimistic. The songs, however, are quite pretty and quite relaxing, which is rather nice if a bit overly naïvely idealistic. The suite is more like a troupe's twenty-minute concert of a collection of their repertoire. I commend TAB for their vision and motivation. What's more, there really isn't a sour or ill song among the ten! (36/40) - a) Prelude and Theme - b) Song: Swifts, Swains, Leafy Lanes - c) Dance: Jig Upon Jig; Theme (lutes and recorder) - d) Dance (Galliard): God Must Doubt - e) Song: Lincolnshire Lullaby - f) Dance: Basse Dance; Theme (lute duet) - g) Dance: Quatre Dance Pavan - h) Song: Celestial Light (for Lincoln Cathedral) - i) Dance: Coranto; Theme (lutes and recorders) - j) End

2. "To Ye" (3:24) as if Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young sang the RenFaire circuit. Very nice. (8.75/10)

3. "Safety In God Alone" (4:49) sounds like 1960s hippy togetherness music for sing-a-longs. (8.333/10)

4. "Two Dances" (1:56) dances were certainly short back in the day! - a) "Almaine" (4.5/5) - b) "Bransle For My Ladys' Delight" (4.333/5)

5. "Three Seasons Almaine" (3:32) beautiful music over which a rather beautiful male lead vocalist sings in an archaic style--but then a rather clunky male choir performs rather deflating the choruses. (8.75/10)

6. "Siege of Yaddlethorpe" (2:30) a kind of ceremonial / military processional. (4.25/5)

Total Time: 36:24

An album of placid if naïve optimism never hurt anyone--especially when the music is as belightful as this one contains.

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of anachronistic British folk music.

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