On the Banks of Helicon: Early Music of Scotland

The Baltimore Consort has made three albums of early music from the British Isles; this one, which demonstrates the connections between traditional Celtic music and the art music of late Renaissance and early Baroque Scotland, is perhaps the best. The program is, by turns, a joyful romp and a sweet lament, a combination of earthy ballads and elegant parlor dance tunes. Singer Custer LaRue is a show more delight as always, and here manages a pretty fair Scots burr, but guest artist Edwin George's performances on period bagpipes are especially noteworthy (particularly on the affecting rendition of "Over the Hills and Far Away" that opens the album). Flutist Chris Norman is also a central attraction -- his equal facility with folk and classical idioms has always been a special hallmark of his playing, and that skill is utilized perfectly on this program. Highly recommended. show less