The Baltimore Consort-2 CDs (ancient dance/yule and Scottish music)

The Baltimore Consort has made three albums of early music from the British Isles; this one, which demonstrates the connections between traditional Celtic music and the art music of late Renaissance and early Baroque Scotland, is perhaps the best. The program is, by turns, a joyful romp and a sweet lament, a combination of earthy ballads and elegant parlor dance tunes. Singer Custer LaRue is a delight as always, and here manages a pretty fair Scots burr, but guest artist Edwin George's performances on period bagpipes are especially noteworthy (particularly on the affecting rendition of "Over the Hills and Far Away" that opens the album). Flutist Chris Norman is also a central attraction -- his equal facility with folk and classical idioms has always been a special hallmark of his playing, and that skill is utilized perfectly on this program. Highly recommended.(All Music Review-Banks of the Helicon)

Hands down one of the best Christmas albums I've found to date. Not all the songs are favorites, but some of them are worth buying the album for (10x over). Hearkens back to old Christmases without sounding remotely cheesy, or like a half-hearted attempt to recreate what's gone before. Brilliant instrumentation. Beautiful vocals. A must have.(Amazon review-Bright Day Star)

Dorian was a serious label back in the 1990s that recorded performances with loving care in the best locations using the best and best sounding equipment that was available at the time. The high point for me is 'In A Garden So Green- which is found in the 'Helicon' album. Custer LaRues voice has a crystalline perfection that is just dripping with emotion and gravitas. Just beautiful!

You can hear it here......In a Garden So Green