There aren't many new groups on the festival circuit playing solely instrumental numbers. In reality, it is a great shame as an entire sub-genre of festival music is starting to fade away in favor of music that is more folk and less renaissance. The release of Sarabande's first CD, is actually a moment of importance for the festival music scene.

The group itself shows a great deal of musical talent and instrumental flexibility coming through in their song choices. While their CD's opening track, "The Bucks of Oranmore" , could easily have been heard at any renaissance faire in the country 10-15 years ago, it isn't commonly heard today.

Of course, the CD includes the requisite jigs and reels (Paddy the Piper, Drowsy Maggie). The reels are weak in a few places, but overall certainly far superior to the attempts made by other bands who use such numbers as an afterthought.

One track that this review was unfamiliar with, but enchanted by, is the "Romanian Train Song". The guitar work, concepts, and the music itself are certainly more modern than  most songs on the album, but the song is delightful.

The CD is available for $12 from CD Baby.