AWAKE, SWEET LOVE • James Bowman (ct); David Miller (lt); King’s Consort • HELIOS 55241 (72:22 Text and Translation)

Music of DOWLAND, CAMPION, FORD, JOHNSON, DANYEL, FERRABOSCO I, HUNNIS

This is a reissue of Hyperion 66447 (15:1), which the reviewer compared to several comparable programs that were quite different overall. The disc is best taken on its own as James Bowman’s interpretation of the Dowland era. Thirteen of the 23 songs are the master’s, so the other names are sparsely represented. Six selections, all Dowland’s except one by Ferrabosco, are lute solos. The song accompaniments vary: lute, lute with viol, lute with four viols, or four viols. I should mention that Bowman was never my favorite countertenor, but that has nothing to do with his fine work on this disc. Robert King, whose viols participate, was involved only as the record producer and annotator; his notes are detailed and illuminating. For that reason the disc is a good introduction to the subject. At midprice this is a bargain.

FANFARE: J. F. Weber