The Art of the Minstrel

The Art of the Minstrel - Lute Songs
Martin Best & Edward Flower
Grosvernor GRS 1013 [LP]

Contents:

    Anon., Trad. West Country (arr. Martin Best):
  1. The streams of lovely Nancy

    2. Thomas Campion (1567-1620):
  2. Fair if you expect

    3. Anon., 16th c.:
  3. Rossignol (lute duet)

    4. Henry Purcell:
  4. If music be the food of love

    5. Anon., Trad. (arr. Martin Best):
  5. Death of Queen Jane

    6. Anon. (arr. Martin Best):
  6. Greensleeves (lute duet)

    7. Martin Best:
  7. Who is Sylvia (lyrics by Shakespeare)

    8. Anon., Trad. (words adapted by Padraic Colum):
  8. She moved through the fair

    9. Purcell / D'Urfey (1653-1723); (arr. Martin Best):
  9. I vowed to die a maid

    10. ---
    Anon., Trad. (words adapted by Padraic Colum):
  10. Dans le jardin de mon père

    11. Martin Best:
  11. Under the greenwood tree (lyrics by Shakespeare)

    12. John Johnson (d.1594):
  12. Flatt pavan (lute duet)

    13. Diego Pisador:
  13. Si la noche hace oscura

    14. Anon., Trad. (words adapted by Padraic Colum):
  14. A la fontenole

    15. John Johnson (d.1594):
  15. The galliard to Flatt pavan (lute duet)

    16. Diego Pisador:
  16. Quieu tu viese tal poder

    17. Anon., Trad. (words adapted by Padraic Colum):
  17. El cafe de Chinitas

    18. Martin Best:
  18. So we'll go no more a-roving (lyrics by Lord Byron)

Playing time: ??' ??"

Performers:
Martin Best (tenor, guitar, lute), Edward Flower (guitar, lute), Jeremy Barlow (flute, renaissance and baroque recorders, piano, organ), Christopher Lebon (cello, tenor and treble viol, tabor), Colin Bilham (double bass, viola da gamba)

Recording site and date:
Unknown [1972 or prior]

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.):
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.): 50/595-1197 (december 1972)

Comments: According to information, by courtesy of Rob Smyth, and Gramophone magazine (december 1972), this is Martin Best's first recording. "The Art of the Minstrels? Well the art of the possessor of a modest but pleasing tenor voice who has apparently been singing at various theatres, mainly Shakespearian production..." (Dennis Arnold in Gramophone)

Comments from Rob Smyth: Songs of different eras and cultures, some of which were to reappear on the first album by the Martin Best Consort. Accompanied throughout by Edward Flower, who toured with Martin on his first visit to Australia in the late 1970's. This is a wonderful first recording which sows the seeds of much that was to follow.

To FAQ references to this recording.

To FAQ CD index page.

Pierre-F. Roberge