Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance

CD Details

Released in 1991, Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance brings together instrumental works and traditional songs from 16th-century England. Performed by an ensemble including lutenist John Dowland, this collection showcases the popular melodies that ordinary people sang and played during the Renaissance period. Familiar pieces like “Green Sleeves,” “There Were Three Ravens,” and “Goe From My Window” appear alongside lesser-known gems such as “The Buffens,” “Nuttmigs And Ginger,” and “La Sampogna,” offering a window into the musical life of the era.

This CD contains 20 tracks of early music performed with careful attention to arrangement and authenticity. The program spans from brief instrumental interludes to longer vocal pieces, with standouts including the seven-minute “There Were Three Ravens” and the nearly six-minute “Unto The Prophet Jonas I Read.” A used copy of this recording lets you explore Renaissance music at a fraction of the original retail cost.