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In Search of Herne the Hunter by Eric Fitch, The Green Man by Basford, and a review of Mirabilis CD
Two recent wonders I've acquired:
In Search of Herne the Hunter by Eric Fitch, Capall Bann Publishing (Sep 1994).
Synopsis:
This work commences with an introduction to Herne's story, the oak on which Herne hanged himself and its significance in history and mythology. It goes on to investigate antlers and their symbology in prehistoric religions, with a study of the horned god Cernunnos, the Wild Hunt and its associations with Woden, Herne and the Christian devil and a descriptive chapter on the tradition of dressing up as animals and the wearing and use of antlers in particular. Herne's suicide and its connection with Woden and prehistoric sacrifice is covered, together with the most complete collection of Herne's appearances, plus an investigation into the nature of his hauntings. Photographs, illustrations and diagrams enhance the text. The book also contains appendices covering the 19th century opera on the legend of Herne, Herne and his status in certain esoteric circles and Herne and Paganism/Wicca.
And:
The Green Man by Kathleen Basford, D.S.Brewer (paperback reprint May 2004).
Synopsis:
The Green Man, the image of the foliate head or the head of a man sprouting leaves, is probably the most common of all motifs in medieval sculpture. Nevertheless, the significance of the image lay largely unregarded until Kathleen Basford published this book - the first monograph of the Green Man in any language -and thereby earned the lasting gratitude of scholars in many fields, from art history and folklore to current environmental studies. This book has opened up new avenues of research, not only into medieval man's understanding of nature, and into conceptions of death, rebirth and resurrection in the middle ages, but also into our concern today with ecology and our relationship with the green world.
As promised, a repost of a deservedly glowing review of the latest release from the lovely artists Mirabilis, Sub Rosa, from the website Gothic Paradise:
"Ahhh... it's great to finally have the follow-up full-length album from these angelic muses. This album is everything that we could have hoped for from these two and more. The music is accompanied by a beautiful package of lyrics and info, photos and artwork. On the disc we get no less than 16 stunningly beautiful tracks hearkening back to old-world medieval and folk songs of ages past, though many are original pieces written by this duo and a couple of guests.
"From beginning to end the music is haunting and captivating as they spin their web of subtle synths, old-world instruments and lush vocals. Starting with 'World Indifferent' the percussion is moving and the music is stunning on this piece as it immediately sets the stage and gives way to the haunting piece 'The Journey'. Mesmerizing vocals become the solid foundation for the album, especially on mostly accapella tracks like 'Nature Boy' and 'The Flowers Pressed Down' amongst others. Though this foundation remains true and an anchor on others when the percussion and instruments kick in.
"The album has a nice range and depth to it as we drift through these pieces and musical styles. I think it's apparent they had fun on several songs like the accapella track 'il est bel et bon' which is a fun little play on the vocals, or 'odyle' which is more of an ancient treasure and then the piece 'angels eyes' sounds like an old record playing on an old phonograph player from the 40's. So it's not only a beautiful work, but fun and enjoyable in many ways.
"As the album winds down we're featured with a cover of 'Because' from The Beatles which isn't exactly something you would expect to hear on an album of this style. With that we're left in much the same way we began the album with subtle percussion and synths accenting the lamenting vocals on the title track 'Sub Rosa'. This provides a nice finale in and of itself, but it's not over yet as we get a great dance-friendly remix of 'World Indifferent' to wrap up the album in style. I love medieval ethereal music like this duo does, but I have to admit that when you throw it together with some modern electronics and a dance-friendly beat, it's really hard to do better than a remix like this, or the previous remix from this band 'In The Dark'. I hope it's not ironic that my favorite tracks from this duo are their two remixed pieces. But when you start with something excellent and add a nice mix to it, it can really be something unforgettable.
"With that we wrap up the album and the listener is left breathless from the stunning beauty on this album. I think this will go down as yet another classic from this group to be remembered for many years to come.
"Rating: 5/5"
To which I concur! It’s a great work. >:-D
In Search of Herne the Hunter by Eric Fitch, Capall Bann Publishing (Sep 1994).
Synopsis:
This work commences with an introduction to Herne's story, the oak on which Herne hanged himself and its significance in history and mythology. It goes on to investigate antlers and their symbology in prehistoric religions, with a study of the horned god Cernunnos, the Wild Hunt and its associations with Woden, Herne and the Christian devil and a descriptive chapter on the tradition of dressing up as animals and the wearing and use of antlers in particular. Herne's suicide and its connection with Woden and prehistoric sacrifice is covered, together with the most complete collection of Herne's appearances, plus an investigation into the nature of his hauntings. Photographs, illustrations and diagrams enhance the text. The book also contains appendices covering the 19th century opera on the legend of Herne, Herne and his status in certain esoteric circles and Herne and Paganism/Wicca.
And:
The Green Man by Kathleen Basford, D.S.Brewer (paperback reprint May 2004).
Synopsis:
The Green Man, the image of the foliate head or the head of a man sprouting leaves, is probably the most common of all motifs in medieval sculpture. Nevertheless, the significance of the image lay largely unregarded until Kathleen Basford published this book - the first monograph of the Green Man in any language -and thereby earned the lasting gratitude of scholars in many fields, from art history and folklore to current environmental studies. This book has opened up new avenues of research, not only into medieval man's understanding of nature, and into conceptions of death, rebirth and resurrection in the middle ages, but also into our concern today with ecology and our relationship with the green world.
As promised, a repost of a deservedly glowing review of the latest release from the lovely artists Mirabilis, Sub Rosa, from the website Gothic Paradise:
"Ahhh... it's great to finally have the follow-up full-length album from these angelic muses. This album is everything that we could have hoped for from these two and more. The music is accompanied by a beautiful package of lyrics and info, photos and artwork. On the disc we get no less than 16 stunningly beautiful tracks hearkening back to old-world medieval and folk songs of ages past, though many are original pieces written by this duo and a couple of guests.
"From beginning to end the music is haunting and captivating as they spin their web of subtle synths, old-world instruments and lush vocals. Starting with 'World Indifferent' the percussion is moving and the music is stunning on this piece as it immediately sets the stage and gives way to the haunting piece 'The Journey'. Mesmerizing vocals become the solid foundation for the album, especially on mostly accapella tracks like 'Nature Boy' and 'The Flowers Pressed Down' amongst others. Though this foundation remains true and an anchor on others when the percussion and instruments kick in.
"The album has a nice range and depth to it as we drift through these pieces and musical styles. I think it's apparent they had fun on several songs like the accapella track 'il est bel et bon' which is a fun little play on the vocals, or 'odyle' which is more of an ancient treasure and then the piece 'angels eyes' sounds like an old record playing on an old phonograph player from the 40's. So it's not only a beautiful work, but fun and enjoyable in many ways.
"As the album winds down we're featured with a cover of 'Because' from The Beatles which isn't exactly something you would expect to hear on an album of this style. With that we're left in much the same way we began the album with subtle percussion and synths accenting the lamenting vocals on the title track 'Sub Rosa'. This provides a nice finale in and of itself, but it's not over yet as we get a great dance-friendly remix of 'World Indifferent' to wrap up the album in style. I love medieval ethereal music like this duo does, but I have to admit that when you throw it together with some modern electronics and a dance-friendly beat, it's really hard to do better than a remix like this, or the previous remix from this band 'In The Dark'. I hope it's not ironic that my favorite tracks from this duo are their two remixed pieces. But when you start with something excellent and add a nice mix to it, it can really be something unforgettable.
"With that we wrap up the album and the listener is left breathless from the stunning beauty on this album. I think this will go down as yet another classic from this group to be remembered for many years to come.
"Rating: 5/5"
To which I concur! It’s a great work. >:-D