The first CD I ever purchased was only played several times and then sort of forgotten about until recently. When I spied it in the rack and popped it into the player, I can't remember why I ever forgot about it in the first place. It's really a great listen.

The recording is a 1998 effort of the Revels called Celtic Roads. Not being a rabid fan of Renaissance faires, medieval feasts, etc., I did a little research on this group and, much to my surprise, found it is not merely a group -- it is a national organization. Suffice it to say, music arrangements are by Revels Inc. and it was produced by Revel Records.

For those of you who know as little about the Revels as I do, I would like to quote liberally from their website. Revels is "a non-profit performing arts company producing music theater, recording and educational materials." It began modestly in 1971 in Cambridge, Mass., "to promote the understanding and appreciation of traditional folk music, dance and rituals from around the world." Today, different Revels productions are performed annually in at least 12 cities across the country.

Celtic Roads takes the listener on a musical journey through England, Ireland, Scotland and Brittany in the company of Celtic Travellers, tinkers, potters and hawkers. The liner notes say these songs and tunes come "from the pathways and roads which connect these far-flung Celtic kingdoms."

It's more than a performance; it's merriment and a gigantic party. If you think I'm exaggerating, take a look at some of the more exotic instruments used in this recording: bones, bombards, bamboo flute, medieval bagpipes, shawm, hurdy-gurdy, vielle, Gothic harp and melodeon. This is in addition to the usual fiddles, recorders, tin whistles, concertinas, bodhrans, guitars, viola, double bass, uilleann pipes and percussion. The ensemble is comprised of more than 40 musicians in the Traveller Band, the Breton Band, the Revels Chorus and the Revels Children.

The music in the 25 tracks of this recording is every bit as diverse and interesting as the instruments. The Breton Band opens with "Strobinell," which is akin to a community dance in Brittany. This piece features the bombards, which is exactly what these double-reed relatives to the bagpipe do to your ears.

Some of the more memorable tracks include "To The Begging I Will Go" and "Jack of All Trades" (a medley of two Traveller songs), "The Travelling Candyman," "Son Ar Chistr" (a song to cider, the traditional drink for all Bretons) and "Sweet Blooming Lavender." "An T-Aiseiri (The Resurrection)" is one of very few ancient hymns to have survived in the Irish language. It is an example of a complex, unmetered style of singing known as sean-nos. A change of pace is provided by harper Margot Chamberlain with "Mary Young" and "Carolan's Welcome" -- the latter composed by the famed blind Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan.

The music in this recording is different from anything I've ever experienced. It transports the listener back into time when life in the Celtic kingdoms was hard but simple, when rural life was dictated by the seasons and the evenings were time for music and dancing.

If there is any fault to this recording, it's that it is audio only; this group has got to be a visual treat as well. I hope I get an opportunity to see them perform someday.

Let the Revels begin!

- Rambles
written by Bill Knapp
published 11 January 2003

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