Mediæval Bæbes
Encyclopedia
The Mediæval Bæbes are a British
ensemble of female musicians founded in the 1990s by Katharine Blake
and included some of her colleagues from the band Miranda Sex Garden
, as well as other friends who share her love of mediaeval music. The lineup often rotates from album to album, and ranges from six to 12 members.
(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, (produced by Toby Wood), and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe and 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 released on November 25, 2006 and features two new studio tracks.
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
, Swedish
, Cadenet
, Scottish English
, German
, Manx Gaelic, Spanish
, Welsh
, Bavarian
, Provençal
, Irish Gaelic, modern English
and Cornish
. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder
and cittern
, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
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, The 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, this juxtaposition most notably apparent in the Bæbes's latest album Illumination (2009) produced by KK (Kevin Kerrigan)
.
track "Aria"; the vocals are an adapted version of the vocals from "All Turns to Yesterday" from Worldes Blysse. They are also featured on two tracks from Delerium
's 2006 album, Nuages du Monde
: "Extollere" and "Sister Sojourn Ghost".
In 2005, the Bæbes contributed Mediæval Bæbes music to the soundtrack of the BBC
period drama The Virgin Queen
, which portrays the life of Elizabeth I
, including the title music, which is a poem written by Elizabeth set to music by Blake.
, 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
is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden
.
Marie Findley is also a film reviewer and television script writer for programmes such as Smack the Pony
and The Ant & Dec
Show. She was the lead (using the name Tulip Junkie) in the Ken Russell
film The Fall of the Louse of Usher
. Marie left the group in March 2007.
Former member Maple Bee (a.k.a Melanie Garside
) is the singer in electronic duo Huski and the younger sister of KatieJane Garside
, singer of London-based rock band Queenadreena
.
16 May 2007 - Audrey Evans and Maple Bee resigned due to family and professional commitments and Cylindra Sapphire resigned in order to follow a different musical path.
22 July 2009 - Claire Rabbitt left the Bæbes. Sarah Kayte Foster came on to replace her.
The Best of the Mediæval Bæbes is absent from the Bæbes' website, and they comment that Mistletoe and Wine is 'the only compilation endorsed by the Mediæval Bæbes'.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ensemble of female musicians founded in the 1990s by Katharine Blake
Katharine Blake
Katharine Blake is a British singer, songwriter and musician originally from London. She was the lead singer of Miranda Sex Garden, and is a founding member, singer and musical director of the musical group the Mediæval Bæbes....
and included some of her colleagues from the band Miranda Sex Garden
Miranda Sex Garden
Miranda Sex Garden were a music group from London, England. Formed in 1990, they were originally a trio of madrigal singers. Their first album, Madra , was entirely a cappella, with the songs all based on traditional English verse...
, as well as other friends who share her love of mediaeval music. The lineup often rotates from album to album, and ranges from six to 12 members.
Music
The Bæbes's first album, Salva NosSalva Nos (album)
-Track listing:# Salve Virgo Virginum# Now Springs the Spray# Ah! Si Mon Moine# Adam Lay Ibounden# Foweles in the Frith# So Treiben Wir Den Winter Aus# Coventry Carol# Gaudete# Adult Lullaby# Veni Veni# Salva Nos# Verbum Caro# Lo, Here My Heart...
(1997), shot straight to No. 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse
Worldes Blysse
-Track listing:# Kinderly# All Turns to Yesterday# Love Me Broughte# Beatrice# Ecci Mundi Gaudium# Waylaway# Alba# When Thy Turf Is Thy Tour# Erthe Upon Erthe# Passing Thus Alone# La Volta# Pearl# Swete Sone # So spricht das Leben # C'est la fin...
(which went straight to No. 1), Undrentide
Undrentide
-Track listing:# Undrentide# Isabella# Quan Vey la Lauzeta# Besse Bunting# E Volentieri# Cantiga Listen# Summerisle # Averil# Secreit Nicht# Now Welcom Somer# Veni Coronaberis# Omnes Gentes Plaudite # Lanquan Li Jorn...
, (co-produced by John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
), The Rose, (produced by Toby Wood), and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe and Wine
Mistletoe and Wine (album)
Mistletoe and Wine: A Seasonal Collection is a compilation album by British vocal group Mediæval Bæbes featuring holiday songs from previous albums, as well as two new recordings of "The Holly & The Ivy" and "In Dulce Jubilo".-Track listing:...
.
Mirabilis
Mirabilis (album)
Mirabilis is the fifth album by British vocal group Mediæval Bæbes.-Track listing:# Star of the Sea# Trovommi Amor# Temptasyon# San'c Fuy Belha Ni Prezada# All for Love of One# The Lament# Musa Venit Carmine# Kilmeny# Lhiannan Shee# Umlahi...
(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 released on November 25, 2006 and features two new studio tracks.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
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
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, Middle English
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
, Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
, Cadenet
Cadenet
Cadenet is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Jewish community:Like all places situated along the river Durance, Cadenet had a Jewish community in the Middle Ages...
, Scottish English
Scottish English
Scottish English refers to the varieties of English spoken in Scotland. It may or may not be considered distinct from the Scots language. It is always considered distinct from Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic language....
, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, Manx Gaelic, Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, Bavarian
Austro-Bavarian
Bavarian , also Austro-Bavarian, is a major group of Upper German varieties spoken in the south east of the German language area.-History and origin:...
, Provençal
Franco-Provençal language
Franco-Provençal , Arpitan, or Romand is a Romance language with several distinct dialects that form a linguistic sub-group separate from Langue d'Oïl and Langue d'Oc. The name Franco-Provençal was given to the language by G.I...
, Irish Gaelic, modern English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Cornish
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder
Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
and cittern
Cittern
The cittern or cither is a stringed instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the Medieval Citole, or Cytole. It looks much like the modern-day flat-back mandolin and the modern Irish bouzouki and cittern...
, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of the "Coventry Carol
Coventry Carol
The "Coventry Carol" is a Christmas carol dating from the 16th century. The carol was performed in Coventry in England as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew...
" 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
Robin Hardy (film director)
Robin Hardy is an English author and film director. His most famous directorial work was The Wicker Man, and his latest project is a film adaptation of his book Cowboys for Christ, which has been retitled as, The Wicker Tree...
's 1973 cult film, The Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, 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, this juxtaposition most notably apparent in the Bæbes's latest album Illumination (2009) produced by KK (Kevin Kerrigan)
KK (Kevin Kerrigan)
KK is a British based composer, record producer, and sound designer, best known for his work as a composer and producer in the field of contemporary / pop music. His past work includes with Brian Eno, Björk, Tim Booth, James, Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, James Newton Howard and others...
.
Collaborations
The Bæbes provided the vocal track for and starred in the video of the DeleriumDelerium
Delerium is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 1987, originally as a side project of the influential industrial music act, Front Line Assembly...
track "Aria"; the vocals are an adapted version of the vocals from "All Turns to Yesterday" from Worldes Blysse. They are also featured on two tracks from Delerium
Delerium
Delerium is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 1987, originally as a side project of the influential industrial music act, Front Line Assembly...
's 2006 album, Nuages du Monde
Nuages du Monde (album)
Nuages du Monde is an album by Canadian new age/electronic music group Delerium in 2006 .The title is French, and translates to "Clouds of the World".-Track listing:#"Angelicus" – 5:10...
: "Extollere" and "Sister Sojourn Ghost".
In 2005, the Bæbes contributed Mediæval Bæbes music to the soundtrack of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
period drama The Virgin Queen
The Virgin Queen (TV show)
The Virgin Queen is a 2005 BBC and Power co-production, four-part miniseries based upon the life of Queen Elizabeth I, starring Anne-Marie Duff...
, which portrays the life of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, including the title music, which is a poem written by Elizabeth set to music by Blake.
Members
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharpAutoharp
The autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
, hurdy gurdy
Hurdy gurdy
The hurdy gurdy or hurdy-gurdy is a stringed musical instrument that produces sound by a crank-turned rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to a violin...
, and dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. It is native to the Appalachian region of the United States...
with the group, she performed the lead vocals on "So Spricht Das Leben" (Worldes Blysse) and "L'Amour de Moi" (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden
Emily Ovenden
Emily Alice Ovenden is an English singer and composer and a member of the number one selling UK Classical Chart act, the Mediæval Bæbes, selling over 500,000 albums worldwide. She has recently published a fiction novel called The Ice Room and is lead singer of both heavy metal band, Pythia and...
is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden
Graham Ovenden
Graham Ovenden is an English painter, fine art photographer, writer and architect. His estranged wife is the artist Annie Ovenden. Their daughter, Emily, is a writer and is a singer with the Mediaeval Baebes...
.
Marie Findley is also a film reviewer and television script writer for programmes such as Smack the Pony
Smack the Pony
Smack the Pony is a British sketch comedy show that ran from 1999 until 2003 on Channel 4. Its title was intended to sound like a euphemism for female masturbation; the working title was Spot the Pony. The main performers and writers on the show were Fiona Allen, Doon Mackichan and Sally Phillips...
and The Ant & Dec
Ant & Dec
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly , known collectively as Ant & Dec, are an English comedy and TV presenting duo from Newcastle upon Tyne, England...
Show. She was the lead (using the name Tulip Junkie) in the Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
film The Fall of the Louse of Usher
The Fall of the Louse of Usher
The Fall of the Louse of Usher is a 2002 British horror film directed by Ken Russell. The film is loosely based on several Edgar Allan Poe stories, notably "The Fall of the House of Usher".- Plot :...
. Marie left the group in March 2007.
Former member Maple Bee (a.k.a Melanie Garside
Melanie Garside
Melanie Garside is a songwriter, artist and musician whose long career in music has been diverse and often surprising. Currently releasing material under the name of Maple Bee, she is about to release her third solo album entitled These Four Worlds on Xie Recordings...
) is the singer in electronic duo Huski and the younger sister of KatieJane Garside
KatieJane Garside
KatieJane Garside is an English vocalist, lyricist, artist and writer who fronted the first incarnation of the '90s noise rock band Daisy Chainsaw and now fronts Queen Adreena, an independent rock band from London....
, singer of London-based rock band Queenadreena
Queenadreena
QueenAdreena are an independent rock band from London, currently signed to One Little Indian Records. Vocalist KatieJane Garside and guitarist Crispin Gray had previously collaborated in the celebrated but short-lived band Daisy Chainsaw...
.
16 May 2007 - Audrey Evans and Maple Bee resigned due to family and professional commitments and Cylindra Sapphire resigned in order to follow a different musical path.
22 July 2009 - Claire Rabbitt left the Bæbes. Sarah Kayte Foster came on to replace her.
Discography
- Salva NosSalva Nos (album)-Track listing:# Salve Virgo Virginum# Now Springs the Spray# Ah! Si Mon Moine# Adam Lay Ibounden# Foweles in the Frith# So Treiben Wir Den Winter Aus# Coventry Carol# Gaudete# Adult Lullaby# Veni Veni# Salva Nos# Verbum Caro# Lo, Here My Heart...
(1997) - Worldes BlysseWorldes Blysse-Track listing:# Kinderly# All Turns to Yesterday# Love Me Broughte# Beatrice# Ecci Mundi Gaudium# Waylaway# Alba# When Thy Turf Is Thy Tour# Erthe Upon Erthe# Passing Thus Alone# La Volta# Pearl# Swete Sone # So spricht das Leben # C'est la fin...
(1998) - The Best of the Mediæval Bæbes (1999, a compilation of tracks from the first two albums)
- UndrentideUndrentide-Track listing:# Undrentide# Isabella# Quan Vey la Lauzeta# Besse Bunting# E Volentieri# Cantiga Listen# Summerisle # Averil# Secreit Nicht# Now Welcom Somer# Veni Coronaberis# Omnes Gentes Plaudite # Lanquan Li Jorn...
(2000) - The Rose (2002)
- Mistletoe and WineMistletoe and Wine (album)Mistletoe and Wine: A Seasonal Collection is a compilation album by British vocal group Mediæval Bæbes featuring holiday songs from previous albums, as well as two new recordings of "The Holly & The Ivy" and "In Dulce Jubilo".-Track listing:...
(2003, a collection of Christmas-related music from earlier albums with a few new songs) - MirabilisMirabilis (album)Mirabilis is the fifth album by British vocal group Mediæval Bæbes.-Track listing:# Star of the Sea# Trovommi Amor# Temptasyon# San'c Fuy Belha Ni Prezada# All for Love of One# The Lament# Musa Venit Carmine# Kilmeny# Lhiannan Shee# Umlahi...
(2005) - Mediæval Bæbes (DVD, 2006)
- Live (Live album, November 25, 2006, includes two new studio tracks; sold only on the official website and at concerts)
- Illumination (2009) (includes one of the studio tracks from Live, 'My Lady Sleeps')
- The Huntress (working title) (2012)
The Best of the Mediæval Bæbes is absent from the Bæbes' website, and they comment that Mistletoe and Wine is 'the only compilation endorsed by the Mediæval Bæbes'.