Opening Move – Take Two by Queen’s Gambit.  Queen’s Gambit, 2004.  Four stars.  Pawn to King Four by Queen’s Gambit.  Queen’s Gambit, 2005.  Four stars.

Queen’s Gambit specializes in historic and folk music, performing at Renaissance Faires.  They deliver a combination of charming voices and instruments, including some traditional instruments not often heard in modern times.  The performers are: Bruce Cannon (Bruce the Bruce) on guitar, vocals, and tambourine; Susi Matthews (Rowan Golightly) on vocals, tambourine, and bowed psaltery; and Amber Cannon (Desahra) on pennywhistle and vocals.

On Opening Move – Take Two they do a lively version of “Star of the County Down,” one of my favorite Celtic songs.  I was particularly amused by “The Scotsman” followed by a matching bit of satire, “The Blue Ribbon.”  To my delight, there is also a dulcet recording of “The Queen of Argyll,” a song popular in the Society for Creative Anachronism, which I first heard from a friend.  The other songs on this album are: “Step It Out Mary,” “Banks of the Lee,” “I’ll Tell My Ma,” “Loch Lomond/Red Is the Rose,” “Rocky Road to Dublin,” “Streets of London,” “Ramblin’ Rover,” “Lass of the Low Countrie,” “The Water Is Wide,” “Kilkelly,” and “Wild Mountain Thyme.”

Pawn to King Four covers a couple of songs written by old friends: “Grania” by Brian ‘Tinker’ Leo and “Threes” by Mercedes Lackey.  Favorites from the folk tradition include a hauntingly sweet version of “Foggy Dew” and a glorious rendition of “Minstrel Boy.”  New to me was the song “Black and Tans,” a wild Irish freedom song.  This album’s remaining tracks are: “Rambles of Spring,” “P for Paddy,” “Blackbird,” “One I Love,” “Spanish Lady,” “Fields of Athenry,” “Clare to Here,” “Spancilhill,” “Where Are You Tonight,” “Irish Lullabye,” “Johnny Jump Up,” “The Sandman,” “Dat Du Min Leeusten Buest,” and “Health to the Company.”

If you’re looking for a way to bring the Faire home for the winter, Queen’s Gambit is a good choice.  They play a lively selection of historic and contemporary music with rich folk flavor.  Highly recommended.

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