Dear Sarah, there are better ways of making money than selling your soul to the devil. I mean that changing the whole Baebes sound so that it will appeal to the masses? Why not just record covers of Kylie minogue songs? I've given many money making ideas through better merch and television appearances. I think that mamagrrl is right and that the sound and band that we fell in love with, the reason that we became Baebes fans is gone forever. Maybe Kat is thinking of retiring and making a quick buck. This sound is ok for the sheep but not the fans who loved the previously wonderful Baebes material.
Dear Mama, I love sunrise because it is done by Emily and everything that she does has a perfection about it, ok strictly it isn't medieval but it sure sounds like it. Still recommend Lyonesse, as the best album ever made!!! Its not mediaeval but has a very enjoyable style that is consistant. I too know how you feel and I empathise with you. Please can we have our MEDIEVAL, Mediaeval Baebes back!!!!

#0331 found a happy little home today with one very excited young lady and her two kittens. The lord of the house will come home to the sounds of Illumination on repeat

My initial reaction after first listen...lots of songs I love and some songs that will grow on me. I love both lively and mellow music, and there's both of that on this album. I really like the songs with Faun. SO excited to hear more medieval instruments in some of the songs! Hurdy gurdys, medieval/pastoral flutes and oboes spark something in my soul.

I'm writing my thoughts down to share later...

This is by far not a classically educated review...

I'm going to be incredibly minimal with my initial thoughts, because all of you have have been listening and talking about this album for weeks now!

Some of the songs sound medieval-esque to me...I'm not classically trained (other than a bit of Classical Latin) and if I was I wouldn't care either way, because I appreciate the spins and twists artists put into their own interpretations. I like that the Baebes' sound is evolving and I also like that I can go back and listen to the older albums!


Desert Rose:
The chorus vocals are brilliant! Sends shivers down my spine. Glad to find that this was in no way related to Sting's "Desert Rose" ...hehe (even though I adore Sting..anyone ever hear his medieval album?)

Suscipe..:
Beautiful harmonies and melody. One I will appreciate more in mellow mode...not at the moment when I feel like getting up and dancing.

Blacksmiths:
WOW. Like nothing I've heard from the Baebes before. I'm glad they took the risk, it's great! I like the end of the song a little better, and Bev's gritty vocals at the beginning are fun!

To the One:
Stunning...

Miracle:
Yep, very soundtrack/epic/mainstream..chorus reminds me of Celtic Woman. I like it as a standalone song. They need to get this into a fantasy/medieval film. There is no lead vocal listed..I assume it's Melpomeni? Beautiful!!

I Sing of a Maiden:
Here we go! Love love love it! Mediaeval-sounding it most definitely is. Love the melody!

The Undivided:
Bev's voice is so unique and lovely.

Ecce Chorus..:
More Latin! Can't go wrong with Latin. Pretty, flowing melody in the chorus. Is that an homage to Florida Phil I hear?

Mad Song:
I expected something upbeat and raucous from the title! Pleasantly surprising, with Esther's pure vocals.

My Lady Sleeps:
Not as amazing as the version on the Live album. I knew it would appear on the new album, but I kinda wish they left it out.

Yonder Lea:
Wonderful!! I visualize a courtyard feast in a medieval manor. Happy to hear the Mediaeval Bloakes again, too.

Till A' the Seas..:
Irish ballad? It's interesting to hear this sound from the Baebes, although not my favorite song.

Sunrise:
Such a joyous song! Definitely could tell it was Celtic Legend-esque before I even read the booklet. I want to hear that soprano live, I bet it's spine-tingling.

La Belle..:
Very pretty song that will be added to my "relax" playlist...a little too slow for my normal tastes.

Swete Jhesu..:
Stunning harmonies. If modern Catholic mass included this type of music, I might start going to church again...heh.

Myrie Songen:
I wish it was longer! This is the sound I truly LOVE...More hurdy gurdy, please!!!

OK, enough, seriously. I just tried to ignore the pretentiousness dripping from this statement the first time you used it. Many of the people on his board that enjoy the new album have been enjoying the Baebes music since Salva Nos, myself included. Suddenly we become sheep just because we don't hold your views? That is way beyond insulting. Many long time fans have tried to point out some of the many merits of this album. You aren't even consistent in your arguments against it. You say you dislike the new direction, then write how much you love "Sunrise". If you are familiar with the group Faun at all, you could see that this song is closely linked to the collaboration with Faun. That collaboration had a heavy influence on the new sound of the album as a whole that makes it so different from previous Baebes albums.

We all get by now that you are not thrilled with Illumination. You can express that without belittling those that are. It also wouldn't hurt to take a moment to think about your stance on "new" fans. How many new fans do you think have even heard Illumination? It hasn't even been officially released yet, so the only people that have heard it are those that paid money in advance for pre-release, or those that have been lucky enough to attend one of a few concerts where it was available at the merchandise stand. These are not, by and large, "new" fans. The people responding so favorably are, first and foremost, already fans of the Mediaeval Baebes.

I can not even begin to tell you how much their music means to me, personally, or how many times listening to the Baebes has lifted my spirits during bad times. To suggest that they have "sold out" is just ridiculous.

I just watched them perform six sets in Maryland, and in every one of them they seemed to be experiencing great fun, and that carried over to the crowd. I don't think that kind of joy can be faked, and at the very least you need to wait to see the new songs live before making a final decision. These ladies seem to be genuinely enjoying what they are doing, and that is what music should be about.

OK I've figured out how to do this now.

Yes, well said, I'll complain no more!!

People like what they like, if you're not into it that's fine, I think for all fans it's more about realizing why the band is going in this direction and the fact that growth and change is necessary.

Catherine:


Scottish - it's an adaptation of the Robert Burns poem Red, Red Rose

Simon:


The point is that they actually haven't sold their soul. Aside from Miracle which is very filmic and about as medieval as Apple Macs, the majority of tracks contain what I recognize as medieval elements - and I speak as someone who has studied the literature and culture of the age. Suscipe, The One, I Sing of a Maiden, The Undivided, Ecce Chorus, La Belle, Swete Jhesu, Myrie Songen, Yonder Lea, Til A' the Seas - all of these could quite easily have appeared on Mirabilis or The Rose, the only difference being the more meaty instrumentation. Desert Rose, Sunrise and Mad Song are also not particularly medieval but they are something much more important - they're GOOD. Actually Mad Song is excellent.

You can't have it all ways Simon, if you hate the new direction you have no defence for liking Sunrise, whether Emily wrote it or not. And people are not sheep for liking the album when you don't, it just means that - horror of horrors! - they happen to enjoy the music. It's no big mystery or conspiracy against you. You really do seem to be taking this all very personally.

And I have to also object to the notion that seems to be inherent in your posts regarding them 'selling out', that they, and in particular Katharine, are somehow using and cheating existing fans, that you think they haven't put much musical effort in and don't really care or have passion for it anymore. Firstly, there's a difference between being more accessible to a wider audience and entirely selling out - you will have noticed by now that it's actually not an album of Kylie covers. There are many obscure medieval instruments on Illumination, they have not abandoned the medieval. Secondly, your assertion is rather insulting to Katharine and all the others who, above all else, appreciate their fans more than any other band I have ever come into contact with.

I really didn't mean to be insulting to Katherine, maybe its because she is the musical director and has allowed this 'commercialisation' to take place that I was upset. Yes I may be inconsistant in some of my statements about medieval music but that is because I never went to university studying it like some very fortunate people. I do know what the Baebes used to sound like and that for me was my knowledge of the medieval sound. I shall endevour to learn more in future as I have pointed out previously I like learning. Also I like 'Sunrise' because for me it is a Celtic Legend song and I love there music.
I do appreciate that the girls have worked there balls off to produce Illumination and they can be proud of the results but for me its a Baebes album that isn't a Baebes album.
As for my 'sheep' analogy, I'm sure that we have all been called worse.

Nope....I'm practically perfect in every way!

.....and me

First of all, nobody has any right to accuse another of "selling their soul" unless you know whats in their soul, and believe me, you dont.
Secondly, I dont feel there's anything inherently wrong in being commercial, it only means popular after all, I hope this album goes to No 1 in the charts, it wont make it either better or worse but it will ensure the Baebes get a small fraction of what is due to them.
Thirdly, "authenticity" is a red herring. The Baebes never claimed it and besides an authentic mediaeval CD? Thats a contradiction to start with!
Fourthly, all artists have to develop and grow as they continue working, copying is death to creativity and that includes copying yourself.
Fifthly, if you dont like it, so what? play the old ones, nobody owns the band or has any right to dictate what they do. Come along for the ride if you want or get off the bus.
Sixthly, its ****ing brilliant!
Thats all I want to say, thank-you and good night.

As Sparkles and Sarah know, I am actually beyond perfection. Honestly.

If you invite me into your world, everything will seem suddenly perfect and have a slight glowy haze, like the nicest dream possible.


Not that I ever toot my own horn, I usually like to toot someone elses.

ok. so here's a humble Tabergian's input on the new album:

Fantastic.

i got it in the mail exactly one week ago. i have listened to it repeatedly to get it deep in my soul (which i haven't sold yet, as far as i know).

and then last night, Wednesday, October 29th 2008, i enjoyed the Baebes perform in East Hartford Conn. to which they sang numerous songs from the new album. it was pure bliss. the music, the performers, live action, what more could a humble fan want?

have fun,

matt h.

My sentiments exactly!! I just saw them in Charlotte last Thursday and am still basking in the luxurious glow!

Welcome to the forum!!

Toadshade

My darling I think there are quite a few horns on this forum that need tooting