by Marc Gunn

Artist: Cantiga
Album: "Martha's Dragon"
Year produced: 2007

A few months ago, I received some CDs from Cantiga, the premiere Renaissance Festival jam band. I started listening, and I tell ye what, they've become one of my favorite bands out there. They also have a brand new CD called "Martha's Dragon."

Cantiga has played World, Celtic and Renaissance music at festivals since the 70s. The name 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. Their music is filled with the spirit of improvisation which has flourished among musicians in such cross cultural crossroads throughout history.

This is album isn't much of a "Celtic" album per se. Rather, it's filled with beautiful blend of tunes from throughout Europe from Spain to Bulgaria, France and Germany to the British Isles.

I think that word that best comes to mind with Martha's Dragon is 'joyous.' That's the spirit that they share with their music. It's light-hearted, upbeat, and a lot of fun. I could so see this band performing a five hundred years ago or in a modern music hall. In both case, they will captivate their audiences like they do at the entrance of the Texas Renaissance Festival this year and at faires throughout the nation.

Find out more about Cantiga, the Premiere Renaissance Festival Band.

Labels: cd_review_2004

Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, December 03, 2004.
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