Album Notes

CANTIGA's unique and magical music has delighted visitors to Renaissance Festivals across North America for almost thirty years. The band has a devoted following across North America and has been called the "Quintessential Renaissance Festival Band". Cantiga's 1995 album "Once Upon a Time..." is loved by thousands for its childlike simplicity and the haunting blend of Celtic and Medieval melodies which truly evoke a magical realm. Cantiga's music should strike a familiar chord with anyone who loves Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings". Nominated as best Celtic Intrumental Album in the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards. Critical praise garnered for CANTIGA's "Once Upon a Time" "I casually picked up this album at the local Borders and was amazed. Cantiga, the instrumentalists from The New World Renaissance Band, have put together, from sources as disparate as Irish folk music and the Italian Renaissance, an enchanting collection of songs that could be the sound track for a magical ballet. The music is soothing enough to be background music, yet complex enough to bear careful listening. The music is thoroughly delightful and skilfully played on modern instruments with a sensitivity rarely found in today's early music ensembles. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" Reviewer: Eric B Henning from Laurel, MD USA(Amazon.com) RATING: FOUR AND ONE HALF STARS "This is one of those rare, perfect albums that brings new life to early music by arranging the songs in an almost modern style. The result is that every second is filled with fresh delights. As the title implies, each selection evokes magic and enchantment. With the haunting, lyrical sound of recorders, and the driving rhythms of the percussion section, the music delivers. The songs themselves range from 13th to 18th centuries, and are drawn from Ireland, England, France and Spain. Overall this album is A GENUINE MASTERPIECE" Reviewer: Pawlyn ap Gryffydd Clef Notes RENNAISANCE MAGAZINE "Herein be wonderous magic, cunning, artful, full of spirits, fit to conjure up a dream withal. This fair and silver orb abounds in delight like unto a warm and birdfilled summer dusk"--- Pat McElroy WQRS-FM Detroit MI " I heard it playing at a birthday party I attended. It mezmorized my children!!!" Ngozi/Uche Uwah Pompano Beach FL "This CD has been likened to a warm summer evening by a local classical music host, but for me, the sounds are like those made by fairies, sprites and other woodland wee folk. Stand where the forest river meets the sea, and you will hear the sound of a sailor's hornpipe carry across the water. Walk back in the forest a while, and you'll hear gypsies, wizards, Kings and warriors. Listen! Don't the harp and the fife remind you a little of birds, singing a joyous refrain? And the cello, a bit like the sound of your footfalls on the forest path? Isn't that running water from the nearby brook? Oh, #@*& !, I've let the bathtub run over. Gotta go. And, if you truly enjoy sounds with a magical blend of Celtic, Spanish and French overtones, then you've gotta order this CD. Excellent energy DON"T PASS IT UP!" Reviewer: a music lover from Detroit, MI USA (Amazon.com) RATING: FIVE STARS "This CD has such soulful and etheral melodic quality... My daughter (who's 12!) and I will frequently fall asleep listening to it! A wonderful gateway to dreamland." Reviewer: a music fan, (Amazon.com) RATING: FIVE STARS Other wonderful CDs by CANTIGA: "Magic Steps" "The Otter's Pool" "Martha's Dragon"