The Mediæval Bæbes were introduced and out they came, all dressed in flowing white gowns for the opening number, “Salva Nos”, a tune I consider to be their flagship song. This thirteenth-century Latin traditional has an awesome beat to it and despite most of us not being able to understand the language, it is an excellent sing-along-song. The second song of the set was "Return Of The Birds" from their Mirabilis CD released in 2005. It combined delightful singing with the sweet sounds of recorders, guitars, drums and even a penny whistle. "Return Of The Birds" had a couple instrumental breaks in it for some Medieval revelry and dancing! The Bæbes slowed it down a bit with "Star Of The Sea" and actually brought out four recorders for this one! A traditional English ballad titled "Scarborough Fayre" was next followed by “Ecce Mundi Gaudium” from the Worldes Blysse CD from 1998. Katharine performed the fast-flowing Medieval Latin verses quite efficiently. The seventh song of the set was "Umlahi" followed by "Pearl". The band carried on with a song originating from Medieval Spain called "The Snake”. It featured some nice harmonizing, in what could be defined as Spanish Castilian, and some nice dual-violins by Bev and Katharine. The Bæbes closed their first set with an incredible rendition of “Adam Lay Ibounden” - this track, the lyrics of which are of very mysterious origin, goes through the entire set of four verses three times … certainly a generous offering, but this is one of those songs that one wishes would never end. The studio (and electric live) version of the song has a(n) foreboding and ominous sound to it and eventually reaches its zenith and apex with higher notes toward the end of the song. This version was more of a sing-along-type since it was in a Ren-Fest setting. In any event, it was an absolutely amazing number to close with and if that was not enough, there would be two more sets to follow.
“I Sing Of A Maiden” started the Mediæval Bæbes' second set with the ladies now wearing green outfits. This was followed by “Undrentide”, a wonderful track beginning with Katherine on the recorder and the verses sung in Middle English, and then "Myrie Songen". Next up was a song from their latest CD, Illumination, titled "The Blacksmiths". It is an anonymous number with the music written by Bev Lee Harling herself and that showcases the harmonizing talents of the band as well as the soprano vocals of Esther Dee. There was also a lot of synchronized clapping on this one. The band carried on with another track from their most recent CD, “My Lady Sleeps”. It features lyrics by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and features a very lovely and beautiful dance with Bev pairing up with Sarah and Esther pairing up with Melpomeni while Emily and Katherine had the dual recorder sound down. Excellent arrangement and very well done. The same can be said for the next selection of the evening - if not more so. Wasting no time at all, Ben Woollacott got it started - "Yonder Lea". Hearing this really blew me away. It has an awesome beat ... the drums, then the dual recorders, then the vocals ... it was really incredible. Headbanger Heavy Metal fans could even get into this. The lyrics are from an eighteenth-century Robert Burns' piece and Katharine Blake composed the music with Nick Marsh. I particularly enjoyed when Melpomeni performed her vocals and then the girls went into their parts with the high notes. It all blended really well. Then Esther grabbed a star-shaped tambourine for the final stanza which helped usher the song to its end. This was one highlights of the day for me. The very macabre "How Death Comes" incorporated a unique acappella arrangement by the Bæbes. Emily Ovenden requested the audience to sing the chorus of "Sunrise", a song she had a hand in writing (she wrote all of the lyrics and co-wrote the music). The tune came to its climactic end with Esther's impressive soprano calls and the crowd's boisterous shouts of "Sunrise!". The band closed the set with the 600-year-old "Averil" from the year 2000's Undrentide CD. Katherine and the rest of the Bæbes were in fine form here.
The third and final set of the day began with Frank, Kavus and Ben walking onto the stage with the type of head-dresses the Bæbes typically wear! The Bæbes then entered the stage in lush red/radiant red dresses. The intoxicating "Desert Rose" was performed first followed by "I Am Eve", a song in Middle Irish from The Rose CD from 2002. "Love Me Broughte" a song about the trials and tribulations of love, was next - it started as an acappella tune and eventually evolved into lively dance number. The dancing did not stop there as the instrumental "Cantiga" kept the crowd moving. They slowed it down with a sixteenth-century sacred Christmas carol called "Gaudete" (Gaudete meaning Rejoice). Next up was the moody "Come My Sweet" ... Ben Woollacott was really getting into the drums on this one! The seventh song of the set was one I was particularly interested in hearing live - "Dringo Bell" ... for anyone wanting the history of this fourteenth or fifteenth century Middle English tune, search terms include Old Hogyn's Adventure or Trill Go Bell; it has also been connected to Geoffrey Chaucer; it is a bit of a naughty tune and worth your while should you endeavor to research it. The entire band contributed heavily to this and Sarah had particular prominence in it with her vocals. Even Frank Moon and Kavus Torabi provided some great background vocals while Bev was beating some bongo-looking instrument. Sarah ended the song with a slight variation that you will just have to see in person. "Miri It Is" from the Bæbes' debut album from 1997 was next - it is a Medieval English tune about the end of summer and how apropos considering the gig was in late August. A song inspired by The Goddess, "Musa Venit Carmine" was next and that brought us to the final song of the evening, "Kinderly". "Kinderly" was a good one to close with ... it had the fans clapping along to the multi-faceted harmonizing and dual drumming.
My final assessment: the outfits, the presence, the harmonizing and solo parts, the dancing, the barrage of musical instruments ... this was not only the pinnacle of musicianship, but also a great visual performance. All in all, a fantastic trip back in time with these tunes far exceeding what can accurately be called classics. These songs go far beyond that. This was truly Old School and it was Old School at its best. The concert was well worth the trips up and back to Maryland!
The setlist for the entire show was as follows:
01. Salva Nos
02. Return Of The Birds
03. Star Of The Sea
04. Scarborough Fayre
05. Ecce Mundi Gaudium
06. Umlahi
07. Pearl
08. The Snake
09. Adam Lay Ibounden
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10. I Sing Of A Maiden
11. Undrentide
12. Myrie Songen
13. The Blacksmiths
14. My Lady Sleeps
15. Yonder Lea
16. How Death Comes
17. Sunrise
18. Averil
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19. Desert Rose
20. I Am Eve
21. Love Me Broughte
22. Cantiga
23. Gaudete
24. Come My Sweet
25. Dringo Bell
26. Miri It Is
27. Musa Venit Carmine
28. Kinderly
Photos from Saturday's concert (all live shots taken, cropped and uploaded by the author):
First set ...
Second set ...
Here are a couple of shots of myself with the Bæbes!
They autographed this bag for me!
Third set ...
Many more wonderful photos from Saturday can be found at this link:
http://s744.photobucket.com/albums/xx90/mafd1974/Concerts/Mediaeval%20Baebes/Mediaeval%20Baebes%20Aug%2029%202009/
Photos from Sunday's concert (all live shots taken, cropped and uploaded by the author):
First set ...
Second set ...
Third set ...
Many more wonderful photos from Sunday can be found at this link:
http://s744.photobucket.com/albums/xx90/mafd1974/Concerts/Mediaeval%20Baebes/Mediaeval%20Baebes%20Aug%2030%202009/
The band will be back in Maryland on September 5 if you wanna check it out. You know I'll be there!
