Squawk Radio
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Liz Falls for New Music
Yes, Fall is finally here. Not that you'd know it in MY neck of the woods, since we're still hitting in the 80s most days. The weatherman has forecasted a day later this week with a high in the 60s, so that means it's time for me to change my summer music in the car and kitchen to my fall music. Salsa, reggae and rock now becomes classical, folk and...
English country dances. Oh, yeah.
I LOVE CDs with compilations of English Country Dance music. And this one by Bare Necessities, titled, um, "English Country Dances," is easily my favorite of the half dozen CDs like it that I have in my collection. It's WONDERFUL. Lively, beautiful music perfect for driving in, well, the country. And if you live in an urban setting, this CD will keep you calm and happy in even the worst traffic snarls. But it's great in the house, too, especially when you're cooking up hearty stews and such for colder weather (which I can actually manage), or relaxing by the fireplace with a good book.
Bare Necessities consists of four musicians: two violinists, a pianist, and a multi-talented player of winds like flute and recorder who also doubles up on guitar when needed. The songs are all hundreds of years old, dating back to Elizabethan times, and reflect different periods in England's social history. But every one is an absolute joy to listen to.
I can't describe it any better than reviewer Albert Blank, who said: "One of the ensemble always sustains the melody line to propel the dance forward. This frees the others to surround the melody with improvised lines creating textures and moods which intrigue the mind and beguile the ear, yet lift the dancers and float them along in a way that few dance musicians achieve, let alone sustain."
I'll just add this. If, like me, your favorite scenes in A&E's version of "Pride and Prejudice" are 1) the Netherfield ball, and 2) the country dance where Lizzie first encounters Darcy, then you will adore this CD. 'Nuff said.
You can thank me later. And you will. :o)
English country dances. Oh, yeah.
I LOVE CDs with compilations of English Country Dance music. And this one by Bare Necessities, titled, um, "English Country Dances," is easily my favorite of the half dozen CDs like it that I have in my collection. It's WONDERFUL. Lively, beautiful music perfect for driving in, well, the country. And if you live in an urban setting, this CD will keep you calm and happy in even the worst traffic snarls. But it's great in the house, too, especially when you're cooking up hearty stews and such for colder weather (which I can actually manage), or relaxing by the fireplace with a good book.
Bare Necessities consists of four musicians: two violinists, a pianist, and a multi-talented player of winds like flute and recorder who also doubles up on guitar when needed. The songs are all hundreds of years old, dating back to Elizabethan times, and reflect different periods in England's social history. But every one is an absolute joy to listen to.
I can't describe it any better than reviewer Albert Blank, who said: "One of the ensemble always sustains the melody line to propel the dance forward. This frees the others to surround the melody with improvised lines creating textures and moods which intrigue the mind and beguile the ear, yet lift the dancers and float them along in a way that few dance musicians achieve, let alone sustain."
I'll just add this. If, like me, your favorite scenes in A&E's version of "Pride and Prejudice" are 1) the Netherfield ball, and 2) the country dance where Lizzie first encounters Darcy, then you will adore this CD. 'Nuff said.
You can thank me later. And you will. :o)
Elizabeth Bevarly, 1:33 PM
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