Middle-Earth Music Reviews - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 01-23-2004, 03:50 PM

TITLE: Memories of Middle Earth
MUSICIANS: Brobdingnagian Bards
GENRE: Folk: mostly Autoharp, recorder, and a male voice.
CANONICAL TOLKIEN or ORIGINAL? Original. The instrumental peices all have Middle-Earth names and themes. The songs (there are six) all have original Middle-Earth oriented lyrics.
REVIEW: Your opinions
Although this is by far the most skillful Autoharp playing I've ever heard, the Autoharp doesn't sound like a normal harp and never struck me as a Middle-Earth instrument. It gives the whole album a shrill, too-trebly feel.
On the plus-side, the recorder-playing is rather nice; meandering at times, perky at times. (If only it had been backed by something other than auto-harp.)
Now the Songs. Overall the songs were enjoyable. "The Heart of Fangorn" was okay. "Weathertop" had fine lyrics, from Frodo's point of view; but I found the tune on the drab side. The lyrics have real promise despite a few awkward spots. I found myself wondering if I just added lots of grace notes and maybe some harmony, would it work better?
"The Ring of Hope" is sung post-war, is actually about smoke rings, and it describes Sam smoking and thinking of his master who has crossed the sea. This song has a very fine wandering and intricate tune! The lyrics are occasionally awkward but the heart behind the song is poignant and touching. Of all the songs I thought this one most appropriate to Marc Gunn's rather rustic scottish style. Overall, the best song on the album.
"Legolas" is a song of friendship from Gimli's point of view and is fun and enjoyable. "Now It's Time To Go" is Bilbo's party farewell, and quite enjoyable. "The Psychopathic, Chronic, Schizophrenic Gollum Blues" isn't to my taste. (Most of its lyrics are actually on the canonical side, with a few exceptions.)
DO YOU RECOMMEND IT? It's not the first Middle-Earth album I'd buy. But if you like recorder and don't mind Autoharp, sure, pick it up.
PRICE YOU PAID: What they charge online at their website.
WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT: www.thebards.net/ MP3's http://tolkien.bardscrier.com/

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 5:38 PM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

01-23-2004, 03:50 PM	#11
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	TITLE: Memories of Middle Earth MUSICIANS: Brobdingnagian Bards GENRE: Folk: mostly Autoharp, recorder, and a male voice. CANONICAL TOLKIEN or ORIGINAL? Original. The instrumental peices all have Middle-Earth names and themes. The songs (there are six) all have original Middle-Earth oriented lyrics. REVIEW: Your opinions Although this is by far the most skillful Autoharp playing I've ever heard, the Autoharp doesn't sound like a normal harp and never struck me as a Middle-Earth instrument. It gives the whole album a shrill, too-trebly feel. On the plus-side, the recorder-playing is rather nice; meandering at times, perky at times. (If only it had been backed by something other than auto-harp.) Now the Songs. Overall the songs were enjoyable. "The Heart of Fangorn" was okay. "Weathertop" had fine lyrics, from Frodo's point of view; but I found the tune on the drab side. The lyrics have real promise despite a few awkward spots. I found myself wondering if I just added lots of grace notes and maybe some harmony, would it work better? "The Ring of Hope" is sung post-war, is actually about smoke rings, and it describes Sam smoking and thinking of his master who has crossed the sea. This song has a very fine wandering and intricate tune! The lyrics are occasionally awkward but the heart behind the song is poignant and touching. Of all the songs I thought this one most appropriate to Marc Gunn's rather rustic scottish style. Overall, the best song on the album. "Legolas" is a song of friendship from Gimli's point of view and is fun and enjoyable. "Now It's Time To Go" is Bilbo's party farewell, and quite enjoyable. "The Psychopathic, Chronic, Schizophrenic Gollum Blues" isn't to my taste. (Most of its lyrics are actually on the canonical side, with a few exceptions.) DO YOU RECOMMEND IT? It's not the first Middle-Earth album I'd buy. But if you like recorder and don't mind Autoharp, sure, pick it up. PRICE YOU PAID: What they charge online at their website. WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT: www.thebards.net/ MP3's http://tolkien.bardscrier.com/ <font size=1 color=339966>[ 5:38 PM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

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