This album brings together many old English tunes which are familiar to us through nursery rhymes or folk tunes which we learnt as a child - and have so often half-forgotten! Old English music from the past - famous songs, good rhythms and fine instrumental playing to get those young feet tapping. However, it is a telling tribute to the durabilitiy of these tunes and themes that even in this age of technical sophistication, of computer games and multi-media presentations, many children will still know them from the school playground or from television programmes or school lessons. So the album becomes an'aide-memoire' for parents and grandparents, and can be used as a useful little teaching aid to ensure that these tunes remain in children's minds.

One of the reasons the tunes have lasted so long, is that they are simply very good. Even something as simple as 'This old man' is very attractive to listen to, and it is highly memorable, especially in this lovely new arrangement which was created especially for the album. Most of the familiar tunes have been treated in a similar manner, and a fresh, new sound had been created, even though they are all played on old instruments, or copies of them.

The CD has 28 tracks including English children's songs, music, dances and traditional English nursery rhymes.

1 Dance medley - Lillibulero, Parsons farewell, Chirping of the lark, Cuckolds all awry, Picking of the sticks, Lavena, Lumps of pudding - John Playford. 2 Ring a ring o' roses. 3 All in a garden green. 4 The noble duke of York. 5 Golden slumbers. 6 A-roving. 7 Three dances from 'The Island Princess' - Jeremiah Clarke. 8 Haymakers Dance from 'The Faerie Queene' - Henry Purcell. 9 Fairy Dance from 'The Faerie Queene' - Henry Purcell. 10 The Prince of Denmark's March - Jeremiah Clarke. 11 Elsie Marley. 12 This old man. 13 When the King. 14 Your hay it is mown. 15 Country Dance from 'Water Music' - George Frideric Handel. 16 Presto from 'Water Music' - George Frideric Handel. 17 Jenny pluck pears. 18 The alarm clock (Le reveil-matin) - Francois Couperin. 19 The miller of Dee. 20 Michael Finnigan. 21 The ash grove. 22 Here's a health unto his Majesty. 23 What shall we do with the drunken sailor. 24 Over the hills and far away. 25 Dance medley - Drive the cold away, The mock match, The hole in the wall, Goddesses. 26 Dance medley - The Grenadiers March, The old mole, Argiers, Chirping of the nightingale, Grimstock. 27 Division for trebles - John Playford. 28 Round-O from 'Abdelazer' - Henry Purcell

Price: £9.99

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