Saturnalia Trio: Skin, Wood and Steel

Saturnalia Trio formed in 1995 and have released six albums thus far, the latest being Skin, Wood and Steel. The trio consists of Daniel Crommie (vocals, six-string dulcimer, flute, recorders, balalaika, whistles, cornamuse, bul bul tarang, jaw trump, aux percussion, electric dulcimer), Leslie Gray (violin and viola) and Michael Treadwell (bodhran, tombec, frame drums, glockenspiel).

Looking at the instrument list, it should come as no surprise this is not your typical rock band as they inject Medieval and Renaissance music with world and folk elements. There are a total of nineteen tracks with only one exceeding the four minute mark. The album has the occasional melancholic moment like the album opening "February Blues" but mostly this is quite an upbeat affair like the jaunty "Pastourelle" and the spry "Morrison Jig", a traditional Irish jig. The playing throughout is excellent as this trio knows their instruments well and have been together for a long time. My favourite song is the band's rendering of The Beatles' classic "Norwegian Wood" adding their own unique spin while staying true to the original.

If you dig acoustic instrumentation and have an underlying appreciation for Medieval music, Skin, Wood and Steel will be an album worth investing in. See the website below for more information.

Track Listing:
1. February Blues (1:42)
2. Pastourelle (2:24)
3. Chansonnette (1:39)
4. Cats & Birds (2:27)
5. La Mora de Borja (2:17)
6. Ungaresca (1:28)
7. Norwegian Wood (2:25)
8. Ladyglen (1:07)
9. Branle (1:29)
10. Allemande (1:38) 11. Tourdion (2:13)
12. Trillium Tarentelle (1:33)
13. The Lady in White (4:13)
14. Golden Sickle and the Wren (2:30)
15. The Stags Dance (1:46)
16. Schiarazula Marazula (2:49)
17. La Tierche Estampie Real
18. Ungaresca (reprise) (1:50)
19. Morrison Jig (1:50)

Added: August 27th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1663
Language: english

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