Music of Shakespeare’s time–particularly the popular songs, ballads, and dances–has long been a favored subject of concert programs and recordings. This one, which mixes songs and instrumental pieces, purports to offer selections that represent character types found in Shakespeare–especially jesters, clowns, and “knockabout comedians”– and highlights popular subjects referred to in the plays (Robin Hood, for example, or the magic of the forest, or even citations of popular songs of the day). Several are very familiar, including Greensleeves, Full fathom five, It was a lover and his lass, O mistress mine, and Willow Song. Among the instrumental works are viol consort settings by Gibbons and Lawes and Dowland’s Tarleton’s Risurrection for solo lute.
Tenor James Griffett has a very pleasingly bright yet not too light quality, a tone with substance and character, and an expressive style that generally suits these straightforward, technically undemanding songs. However, he too often makes more of the music than is really there, offering big gestures when a more gentle touch would work better, and relying too much on weighty downbeats to give dramatic force to the texts. Nevertheless, he does deliver some very fine, sensitive singing in his unaccompanied “Hey Robin, Jolly Robin”, and really finds the emotional heart of the poignant Willow Song, aided by Brian Wright’s sympathetic lute. The final track is perhaps the best of all, a passionate and gorgeously sung rendition of Wilbye’s consort song Ne Reminiscaris.
Odd shifts in sonic perspective from one track to the next in several places suggests this recording wasn’t made all at one session or location–no information (not even a recording date) is given. Although this isn’t among the best collections of this repertoire–for those, look for any of several old Alfred Deller collections (Vanguard), a terrific “Airs & Dances in the time of Shakespeare”, with tenor John Elwes (Pierre Verany), or more recent recordings by countertenor Robin Blaze (Hyperion) and Michael Chance (Linn)–the heartfelt performances effectively capture the essential flavor of these tuneful, characterful songs, and once more remind us of their timeless popularity.
