Exciting New Music Compilation Brings the Renaissance to You

From listening to this compilation, one gets the impression that the Renaissance was full of whiskey, music, and sex. The people were all sailors, pirates, beggers, tipplers, highwaymen and wenches.

Probably other things went on in the Renaissance, and there must have been other people, but who cares?

For musical purposes, we celebrate the lusty, whiskey-soaked Renaissance, Celtic style.

Marc Gunn is a modern day bard who performs solo and as half of the Brogdingnagian Bards. He also hosts a popular Renaissance Festival podcast. With this collection, he ,has done a wonderful job of recreating the atomosphere of your everyday Ren Fest . It is a generous selection of songs from Renaissance Festival performers across the nation.

A few of the selections are serious, such as Terry Griffith's thoughtful "For My Grandfathers." This song vividly captures the reasons why so many Americans of Celtic blood embrace their musical heritage. But most tunes are on the lighter side.

And here let me insert a warning. If you have children, be wary of "The Pudding Song." While , as we are assured, the words of the song are all about pudding, well, give a listen when the children aren't around, have a good laugh, and hear for yourself why this one is for the adults.

Certainly, this is an educational collection. Learn about the virtues of whiskey with Captain "Black Jack" Murphy; discover why you should "Never Marry a Mermaid," with Fugli; and sail the high seas with pirates and sailors from Maui to Spain.

Whether you are in the mood for lively versions of old favorites like "Rocky Road to Dublin," and Marc's own version of "Finnegan's Wake," or something new to set your toes tapping, the 19 songs included here, (interspersed with amusing "commercial spots," such as the opener, "Crazy Larry's Indulgences,") are bound to have something for every lover of Renaissance Faires and/or Celtic music.

At the end of this collection is a poem, "The Faire is Over," spoken by Lorella Loftis backed by Marc Gunn's haunting autoharp. As you listen, you will find that you really do feel as though you've been there, and the Faire is indeed, over too fast.

But then, you can go back, and listen again.