Where to begin with these guys...just kidding. ;) The Brobdingnagian Bards are a celtic music duo out of Austin (and sometimes trio when they have a guest drummer). I've been a fan of theirs for a while now, but this is the first time I've had the privilege of seeing them perform live. And this year I saw them too many times for me to remember. *lol* If you ever get the chance to see them, I highly recommend it. I've become addicted to their music since I got my first 3 CD's. My favourite song of theirs so far? Wild Rover, hands down. I just love the rhythm and the melody of it. Right after that one is Lily the Pink, which unfortunately I can't get on CD yet. (grrrrrr...j/k) I know they like specific reviews, so I'm gonna give 'em one. :P First off...they have a -huge- amount of energy onstage. They should be exhausted at the end of the day. But I can say this much...they love what they do and it definitely shows. :) They played a good mixture of their songs at each performance during the day, but not the same songs everytime. This makes things very nice for those of us that try and make every show. So many of the performers at TRF do the same thing every time they play. I was also lucky enough to be there on the weekend that Michelle was here playing with them. It was an interesting change to hear their music with percussion added. And yeah, that was also picture weekend, so she is is most of the shots with them! Their music is very relaxing for me. I listen to the "A Faire to Remember" CD a lot while I'm making garb and chained to my sewing machine for hours. It gets me into the ren faire spirit. ;) I usually listen to either "Songs of Ireland" or "Memories of Middle Earth" on the way home from work. Both of them help to shake off the bad vibes from having the work wyvern on me back all day. :P Btw...even though I love all the other CD's, I do believe that MOME is their finest effort yet. Most of all, these two know how to have fun onstage and let their fans be a part of the show. They don't mind if you sing along or get up and dance.
My best memories of these guys at faire this year:
Catching Marc and Andrew taking a break on the hill beside the jousting arena and getting to sit and chat with them. And...lucky me...they decided to play a few tunes while I was sitting with them also! Thanks guys...that was really cool. :) Big hugs to you both for that treat.
Marc..er...losing control of his autoharp and causing Andrew to have to "go solo" for a wee bit.
The "bard sandwich" photo *points down* I don't think I have to explain why that one was fun. :P (I'm the one in black next to Andrew)
And so to Marc and Andrew from me...Thanks for a wonderful year at TRF. It was such a pleasure to watch you perform and give you all my money. :P Just kidding guys. But for real, you are two of the sweetest guys I've met in a long time and you both crack me up. Too bad it went by so fast. I'll see you guys in the spring at Excalibur! :) And Marc....you give the best hugs around!
Okay, so here's the pics I took of the guys this year. Some of the files are big, so give it a few minutes to load. Please visit their site by clicking the link at the bottom of the page if you want more info about them. Oh yeah, and it also lets them know that I'm doing my part to help spread the word about their music. :D And for all you blinkie collectors out there, feel free to take the bard blinkie at the bottom of the page! I made it meself just for these guys.
