The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.
Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.
A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.
The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.
Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)
former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone
Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com
Lhiannan Shee
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
T'ou geamagh orrym trooid oie as laa:
Cha noddyms cur graih nish er ben marvaanagh
She mish my lomarcan trooid my vea
O Fairy Sweetheart, I hear you calling
At dawn and dusk in the lonely ways
Your kiss has lured me from mortal women
The song "Lhiannan Shee" by Mediæval Bæbes is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the Irish fairy woman Lhiannan Shee. The lyrics talk about how the singer is being called by this fairy in the morning and at night, and her kiss has made him leave mortal women. The singer expresses his loneliness as he wanders alone through his days. The lyrics are poetic and beautifully crafted, expressing a sense of loss and longing.
The song's title, Lhiannan Shee, refers to a fairy woman in Irish mythology who is known for luring mortals into a fairy existence. In the song, the fairy is portrayed as a lover who is seducing the singer with her kiss. The lyrics are a symbolic representation of the seductive and mystical nature of the fairy, who represents the otherworldly and the unknown.
The Mediæval Bæbes' version of "Lhiannan Shee" has a haunting and melancholic tune that complements the sombre lyrics. The song features the beautiful vocals of the Bæbes, accompanied by a backdrop of medieval instruments such as the harp, flute, and dulcimer.
Line by Line Meaning
O Lhiannan Shee! Ta mee clashtyn kinjagh
Oh Fairy Sweetheart! I am being troubled
T'ou geamagh orrym trooid oie as laa:
You call me throughout the night and day:
Cha noddyms cur graih nish er ben marvaanagh
I will not love a mortal woman anymore
She mish my lomarcan trooid my vea
You are my only love throughout my life
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.