Martha's Dragon

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Cantiga 108	5:05	Play
2		Martha's Dragon	5:09	Play
3		Andaluz	5:45	Play
4		Skillywidden	5:39	Play
5		Valle De Lo Alto	3:47	Play
6		White Petticoat a La Turk	3:10	Play
7		Bourees	3:09	Play
8		Spagnoletta	3:39	Play
9		Branle De Bourgogne	2:16	Play
10		Eres Agueda Gloriosa	3:27	Play
11		Fischiettando	3:10	Play
12		Argeers	3:53	Play

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Description

CANTIGA has delighted visitors to Renaissance Festivals across North America with their magical music for almost 30 years.

The word CANTIGA means 'song' in the language of Alfonso X, the 13th century Spanish king whose royal court was a haven for Christian, Muslim, and Jewish musicians.

We are dedicated to the spirit of musical improvisation which has flourished in such cultural crossroads throughout history and continues to be celebrated in today's Global Village.

"I must say you've outdone yourselves with "Martha's Dragon." Every CD by Cantiga and the NWRB has simply captivated me! And the delight grows with each listening."
Walt Haake
WDVR FM, Sergeantsville, NJ

Here's a review of Martha's Dragon from Maggie Boleyn, "The Tudor Times"

"Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?" This query from "The Wizard of Oz" is one of my favorites. So, when I saw the cover for the new Cantiga CD "Martha's Dragon", one of my first thoughts was, "Are you a good dragon, or a bad one?" After all, dragons are right up there with lions and tigers and bears on the fear factor scale.

Not to worry, upon hearing the title cut of "Martha's Dragon" on track 2, I knew it for a friendly creature. The sounds are sort of like Puff the Magic Dragon, only grown more musically mature after being dumped by Jackie Paper. Max Dyer's wonderful cello playing evokes a marvelous serpentine quality undulating throughout this piece.

The CD is filled with a dozen wonderful songs. You will be delighted with the assortment of ancient songs presented by Cantiga. Dragons in some form are present in the folklore of nearly all cultures, and as usual, Cantiga presents tunes showcasing a societal variety of ancient song. The group is noted for inspired improvisations, and their fourth CD is no exception.

A particular favorite of mine is "Skillywidden." This is a good example of Cantiga's ability to play, not merely perform music. There is a distinct difference, and you know it when you hear it, particularly as concerns early music. The former is infused with a joy of life, pouring forth into the music; the latter is merely a perfunctory presentation of a bunch of notes. Or, as my young nephew remarked at age 3 of another genre, "It's not music, it's just noise."
The "Skillywidden" piece, according to the insert, "began life as a playful response to too many choruses of 'It's a Long, Long Way from Clare to Here', and morphed into our favorite jam tune." Skillywidden tests a fiddler's skills and Mark Caudill does a very fine job here.
Harpist Martha Gay is always a delight to hear, and surely she was the model for the stunning cover art. Her work on Cantiga 108, the CDs first track, is quite lovely.
New member Conrado "Charry" Garcia, and Guest artist Jamal Mohamed round out the album, and carry on Cantiga's tradition. Garcia adds a tune he wrote in the 80s.
All in all, another fine CD from this gifted group

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Notes for the tunes on "Martha's Dragon":

1. CANTIGA 108
This cantiga, a 13th century song from Alfonso X's 'Cantigas de Santa Maria' tells a bizarre story involving Merlin the Magician, a Jewish wise man and Santa Maria.

2. MARTHA'S DRAGON

St. Martha is known for taming, not for slaying her dragon. This tune was written by Bob Bielefeld in the early 1990's.

3. ANDALUZ

A medieval Andalusian melody brought to light by Julin Ribera y Tarrag (1858-1934).

4. SKILLYWIDDEN

Part of our legacy from Cantiga fiddler Malcolm Smith (1951-1996), this tune began life as a playful response to too many choruses of 'It's a Long, Long Way from Clare to Here', and morphed into our favorite jam tune.

5. VALLE DE LO ALTO

We first heard this melody performed by the Andean band Pachacamac and were delighted to discover that it was written by Conrado "Charry" Garcia, our newest member. Charry wrote this tune in Chile in the 1980's. Valle de lo Alto means 'High Valley'.

6. WHITE PETTICOAT A LA TURK

Mark became fixated on odd time signatures after borrowing Bob's book of Bulgarian tunes, and an innocent Irish jig in 6/8 slipped into 7!

7. BOUREES

These two boures were published by German composer Michael Praetorius in his collection of French court and country dance music 'Terpsichore' (1612).

8. SPAGNOLETTA

A well-known ancient air also published in 'Terpsichore'. We dedicate this dance to the Court Dancers of Scarborough Faire.

9. BRANLE DE BOURGOGNE

This 16th century French dance tune by Adrian Le Roy alternates four and six-measure phrases. Mark discovered it on a recording of Early Music from the '70s.

10. ERES AGUEDA GLORIOSA

We learned this Spanish Renaissance melody for Jeff Baldwin of the Texas Renaissance Festival, who chose it for his production 'Masque of the Conquistadors'. This song is a serenade of love to the beautiful Agueda, who appears to her suitor as radiant as an angel in the midst of her nine sisters.

11. FISCHIETTANDO

A tarantella, popular with whistling Sicilianos. The fischietto is the Italian version of the penny-whistle. Fischiettando means 'whistling'.

12. ARGEERS

This perky little tune is from John Playford's 'The English Dancing Master' , in print from 1651 to 1728.

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The Members of Cantiga are:

Martha Gay,
Harp

Mark Caudill,
Violin

Bob Bielefeld,
Wood Flute, Fife

Conrado Garcia,
Charango, Percussion (Birimbao, Caxixi, Semilla, Triangle), Toyos (bass pan-pipes)

Max Dyer,
Cello

Also featured on this album,
special guest artist Jamal Mohamed,
Percussion: Doumbeks (Middle Eastern Goblet drums), Djembe (West African Goblet drum) Riq (Egyptian tambourine), Mazhar (Egyptian Frame drum).

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Original Cover painting for Martha's Dragon by illustrator Richard Hull.

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A Review from Ted Young, New York:

"For those not familiar with their work, Cantiga brings together music from all over medieval and renaissance Europe.

Cantigas fourth CD continues to preserve their enchanting sound while bringing us new and exciting songs. Conrado Garcia, Cantigas newest member, and guest star, Jamal Mohamed, add a new dimension to the group with their subtle additions of charango, toyos, doumbek, and more.

As with their past works, 'Marthas Dragon' is full of lively, upbeat music from long ago played with amazing skill. The title track comes to life with a vibrant bass and rhythm. Conrados beautiful Andean composition, Valle de lo Alto, is combined with Cantigas style creating an inspirational fusion. And White Petticoat a l Turk is a traditional Irish jig performed in 7/8 giving it a Turkish flare and providing another example of Cantigas remarkable creativity.

I would highly suggest treating yourself to these twelve lovely songs,especially if this is your first Cantiga CD. And if you dont own a CD player, it is worth buying it just for the stunning cover art."

Reviewer: Ted Young, who enjoys Cantiga performances each summer at the Sterling Renaissance Faire in Oswego New York.