Neo-medieval folk rock

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

I am a huge fan of Renaissance's early work (e.g., Carpet of the Sun, Song of Scheherazade, Mother Russia, At the Harbour, Kiev), and Blackmore's Night (e.g., Crowning of the King, Dandelion Wine, Village on the Sand, Cartouche).

I love the mix of traditional instruments with a somewhat "rocky" feel, and I like the strong vocals. I've noticed some of my favorite Celtic bands have a similar sound, too, such as Wolfstone (Where the Summers Go, Brave Foot Soldiers), Tempest (The Journeyman, Nine Points of Roguery), and MacKeel (Haul Away Joe).

There's even a touch of this sound I like leaking over from traditional rock (e.g., Jethro Tull's Broadsword and the Beast album), instrumental death metal (e.g., Opeth's Patterns in the Ivy), and whatever the heck genre you call Rick Wakeman's Myths and Legends of King Arthur album.

A lot of the stuff you hear performed at Ren Faires is along these lines, but tends to be more traditional and have less of the modern/medieval blend.

I'm looking for more music like this--especially anything with the Renaissance/Blackmore's Night feel. Any recommendations?

[RealityChuck]

I am a huge fan of Renaissance's early work (e.g., Carpet of the Sun, Song of Scheherazade, Mother Russia, At the Harbour, Kiev),That wasn't their early work. Their early (and best) work was when they had just spun off with the Yardbirds (http://greatbutforgotten.blogspot.com/2008/06/renaissance-music.html). Most people have never heard of their first album.

In any case, I'd suggest Pentangle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentangle_%28band%29). They're exactly what you're looking for.

[gigi]

You might enjoy Steeleye Span.

[Mister Owl]

I don't know if this fits your criteria exactly or not. I will say that I did buy the CD and do play it from time to time. It's interesting and introducing Black Sabbath fans to it is amusing.

w ww.sabbatum.com

[Argent Towers]

The Wicker Man soundtrack?

Read about it here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wicker_Man_soundtrack)

Fairport convention?

[Ranchoth]

Hmm...the closest I can think of is some of Dead Can Dance's work, but that's really not "rocky" enough.

Everything else is along those lines is either similarly non-rocky, or is more steampunky instead of "medieval."

Rasputina might kinda work, though.

[typoink]

This is a little bit different, but the album Patchwork by the group Hesperus is essentially a blend of medieval music with American roots music. It's got medieval tunes played by a jug band; it's got early blues pieces accompanied with recorder. Good stuff.

[koeeoaddi]

Don't miss Circulus (YouTube) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2OavLPpPVw). Besides being excellent, they are also pretty funny.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Thanks for all these suggestions! I look forward to checking them out after work today. I have a plane flight tomorrow that would be perfect for some uninterrupted listening time.

That wasn't their early work. Their early (and best) work was when they had just spun off with the Yardbirds (http://greatbutforgotten.blogspot.com/2008/06/renaissance-music.html). Most people have never heard of their first album.Pre-Annie Haslam Renaissance was really a completely different group, and I must admit I'd completely forgotten about that album. When I say "early," I'm just trying to rule out Camera Camera and Tuscany, which I didn't like nearly as much--too much pop. I heard them live on the Azure d'Or tour, which I considered the end of the era, since the old sound was pretty well gone by then.

[LawMonkey]

Circulus seconded. You might also look into Gryphon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh5WA9PKbs&feature=PlayList&p=6439C71203CBBBBC&index=0&playnext=1) (youtube), if you don't mind instrumentals. They were proggy, and probably a bit heavier on the modern side of the scale than the medieval, but not bad.

[cjepson]

You might try the Strawbs. They started out more like straight folk and gradually got more prog & pop. I would suggest starting with the albums "Grave New World" and "Bursting at the Seams", both of which are huge favorites of mine.

Also:

"No Roses" by Shirley Collins & the Albion Country Band
Morris On (by the group of the same name)
"Sandy" by Sandy Denny

[The Devil's Grandmother]

There was a folk-rock group called Annwn (http://motogrrl.org/Bands/annwn/)that made some really cool music back in the 90's. They kind of fell apart after the lead singer was killed in a motorcycle accident, but the music lives on.

[NDP]

Traffic did a lot of styles but a number of their songs do fit this category. Their best known is probably their cover of an old English folk song, "John Barleycorn" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wml3V-maDeA).

[thelurkinghorror]

Lots of German medieval metal. Wikipedia here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_metal).

Corvus Corax especially.

Also, Steeleye Span (mentioned above), especially Below the Salt.

[Plynck]

Fotheringay was a very nice Sandy Denny side project. A lot of her solo work or old Fairport Convention may appeal to you as well.

[RealityChuck]

There was a folk-rock group called Annwn (http://motogrrl.org/Bands/annwn/)that made some really cool music back in the 90's. They kind of fell apart after the lead singer was killed in a motorcycle accident, but the music lives on.Interesting to hear, since they performed my father's song.

[Rib Eye]

Korpiklaani: Finnish folk metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpXboQdFwXg&feature=related

[jehan]

Steeleye Span were/are one of the best. Maddy Prior has one of the best sopranos around.

Gaudete is one of their best- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBZ8v9L8444

King Henry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lUXl1jDRiw

And lots of others (try Cam ye o'er frae France, Alison Gross, Black Jack Davy)

[Quasimodem]

Agreed on Steeleye Span (although I always thought they copied the name from Steely Dan which for you trivia buffs, is supposed to be a dildo).

Some Moody Blues kinda fits the "Bill" :) for me too.

And Blackmore as well. I think they have a Christmas cd I need to get.

Every year, I promise myself, no more Christmas cd's! (I have a whole case/folder(?) dedicated to just Christmas - the last ones I bought were Brian Setzer's!)

Quasi-Question: Which ones of the ones mentioned would be good accompaniment to playing World of Warcraft? I really like the music they play during the game, but it gets kinda repetitive.

Thanks

Quasi

ETA: For RChuck: is there a link for your Dad's song?

[jehan]

[QUOTE=Quasimodem;11584892]Agreed on Steeleye Span (although I always thought they copied the name from Steely Dan which for you trivia buffs, is supposed to be a dildo)

/QUOTE]


It's not- it's from a traditional song called Horkstow Grange

Old Steeleye Span he was filled with John Bowlin
It happened to be on a market day
Old Steeleye swore with all his vengeance
He would swear his life away

Pity them who see him suffer
Pity poor old Steeleye Span
John Bowlin's deeds they will be remembered
Pity poor old Steeleye Span
Pity poor old Steeleye Span

[Quasimodem]

Thanks for the correction, jehan!:)

Was I right about Steely Dan?

Thanks!

Q

[silenus]

Thanks for the correction, jehan!:)

Was I right about Steely Dan?

Thanks!

Q

Yes, you were. It's from William Burroughs' The Naked Lunch.

[Apollyon]

Not sure it's quite what you're looking for, but Mediæval Bæbes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medi%C3%A6val_B%C3%A6bes)?

Live youtube video of Adam Lay Ibounden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juUNs3vcPNk), which I adore. (And is on their first album Salva Nos).

[Helena]

My husband recommends Corvus Corax.

[aruvqan]

Quasi-Question: Which ones of the ones mentioned would be good accompaniment to playing World of Warcraft? I really like the music they play during the game, but it gets kinda repetitive.

Thanks

Quasi

ETA: For RChuck: is there a link for your Dad's song?

How about Wolgemut (http://www.wolgemut.net/) I love the piece Michaeleska the best=)

[dropzone]

Interesting to hear, since they performed my father's song.You're really that young?

(pondering the possibility that I can still respect RC.) Okay, punk, but stay off my lawn. :mad:

[blondebear]

Check out Donovan's Open Road (http://www.amazon.com/Open-Road-Donovan/dp/B00004WF13/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253678270&sr=8-2). "Celtic Rock" and "Roots of Oak" might fit the bill for you.

[Quasimodem]

"Celtic Rock" and "Roots"...


YEAH..... BUDDY!

Me and the Wolk can sure get into that!

And a?

Do "Wolgemut" have any "easier" tunes?

Guess I just need to "program" to what and me and my toon are doing, huh? ;)

Sometimes we just wanna pick flowers and bring 'em to Heather, but of course there's no XP for that, right? ;)

Thanks

Quasi

[Toxylon]

Amazing I'm the first to mention Gentle Giant.

[dropzone]

Don't miss Circulus (YouTube) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2OavLPpPVw). Besides being excellent, they are also pretty funny.Your user name forces me to listen to your link. ;)

[dropzone]

Amazing I'm the first to mention Gentle Giant.Okay, in 1969 which British bands were NOT drawing on their folk tradition? Because I want to avoid them, except Black Sabbath.

[aruvqan]

[I]

Do "Wolgemut" have any "easier" tunes?

Guess I just need to "program" to what and me and my toon are doing, huh? ;)

Sometimes we just wanna pick flowers and bring 'em to Heather, but of course there's no XP for that, right? ;)

Thanks

Quasi

Well, how much easier a song is there than tummel dich gutes wrinlein?

here, have some wine and lets dance ... =)

I love medieval drinking music.

how about the *original* carmina buranas?
NOT the Orff crap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmina_Burana)

I like Sic Mea Fata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk3zRNX6L94) a lot. Although there is a BMG music catalog version I prefer, it is more oriented to the modern audience. i would have to have mrAru dig around in the barn for the actual disc to get the information off it ...

[DfrntBreign]

How about Return To Forever's Medieval Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1tcmWt_x7s)?

I didn't think so.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Listened to samples of quite a few of these last night, bought a couple of albums, and was thrilled to discover that Annwn has made pretty much all of their music available for free. I'll be listening more on the plane today.

Quasi-Question: Which ones of the ones mentioned would be good accompaniment to playing World of Warcraft? I really like the music they play during the game, but it gets kinda repetitive.Some of my favorite WoW music is more on the symphonic metal side. Here are a few suggestions from various genres:

Nox Arcana: the Necronomicon album
Blackmore's Night: pretty much anything
Opeth: the Damnation album
Rick Wakeman: Tribute to Lord of the Rings ("Songs of Middle Earth")
Therion: The Theli album
Renaissance: Song of Scheherezade (24 minute song!) and Ashes are Burning

Enjoy, Quasi!

[Le Ministre de l'au-delà]

Big second on the Gentle Giant.
Would Horslips be too folky/celtic for your tastes?

[Tristan]

Interesting to hear, since they performed my father's song.

Which one would that be?

I was lucky enough to hear the violinist on more than one occasion play at SCA events....

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Big second on the Gentle Giant.
Would Horslips be too folky/celtic for your tastes?I quite enjoy Horslips, but it's not what I'm looking for in this category.

I'll check out Gentle Giant.

[Quasimodem]

Listened to samples of quite a few of these last night, bought a couple of albums, and was thrilled to discover that Annwn has made pretty much all of their music available for free. I'll be listening more on the plane today.

Some of my favorite WoW music is more on the symphonic metal side. Here are a few suggestions from various genres:

Nox Arcana: the Necronomicon album
Blackmore's Night: pretty much anything
Opeth: the Damnation album
Rick Wakeman: Tribute to Lord of the Rings ("Songs of Middle Earth")
Therion: The Theli album
Renaissance: Song of Scheherezade (24 minute song!) and Ashes are Burning

Enjoy, Quasi!

Thanks, IW! Looking forwar to Wakeman's music. Always liked his music. Blackmaore's Night I know but I will check out some of the clips of the others you mentioned!

Quasi

[Malthus]

Steeleye Span were/are one of the best. Maddy Prior has one of the best sopranos around.

Gaudete is one of their best- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBZ8v9L8444

King Henry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lUXl1jDRiw

And lots of others (try Cam ye o'er frae France, Alison Gross, Black Jack Davy)

Heh I love Steeleye Span.

I spent many a happy hour attempting to figure out the lyrics to "Montrose". :D

(The ones you can now find on various lyrics sites are seriously incorrect).

[carnivorousplant]

I am a huge fan of Renaissance's early work (e.g., Carpet of the Sun, Song of Scheherazade, Mother Russia, At the Harbour, Kiev),

Have they anything like Rajah Kahn?

[Quasimodem]

What was the name of the folk group which featured a female's first and last name and THEN the name of the band?

It was" _____ _____ & _____".

Sorry to be so cryptic, but was THAT Renaissance?

Thanks

Q

[kelly5078]

You might try checking out Alan Stivell. He's a Breton harpist/singer. His live album "A l'Olympia" is one of the most beautiful recordings I've ever heard.

[Archergal]

What about Boiled in Lead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgjsKkfbnQg)?