Hello Traveler! This is Elsie, your host of Tunes from the Tavern, the fantasy/ bardcore show here on WMWC.
This week we will be looking at Medieval Revival and its inspiration.
But first, to get some context, here are a few Medieval tunes.
- Basciami Mille Volte a 5 Voci
- Gawain Runs and Runs (The Green Knight)
Medieval Revival was both a music genre and an aesthetic popularized in the 60s and 70s. It happened in tandem with the folk revival of the same time. It is mostly identified with slow, folk songs sometimes inspired by traditional Celtic songs, backed by simple strings. Here is;
- Lady D’Arbanville (Yusuf/ Cat Stevens)
- Scarborough Faire/ Canticle (Simon & Garfunkel)
- Fotheringay (Sandy Denny)
Up next is;
- The Lily of the West (Joan Baez)
- The Trees they Do Grow High (Joan Baez)
- Puff, the Magic Dragon (Peter, Paul and Mary)
- Quiet Joys of Brotherhood (Sandy Denny)
In the late 2000s/ Early 2010s, folk artists once again revisited medieval inspiration for their music, although at a much smaller scale. During this time, we see the rise of bands like Celtic woman, the High Kinds, and the Oh Hellos. This mini revival focuses more on the traditional style of music, with medieval sounding instruments backing more historical lyrics. Here is;
- The Mayking of a Merrye Man (Dunstan Leheryngemongre)
- Marion’s Vow (Rosalind Jehanne, Gwendolyn the Graceful)
Up next is;
- The Knight’s Tale” (Lucasta’s Song)
- Mordred’s Lullaby (Heather Dale)
In 2020, there was a desire for escapism on the internet. One way this was realized was in the sudden rise of fantasy in content that people were consuming. Romantasy, fantasy-core, and Medieval covers of pop songs were everywhere on my TikTok for-you page. And it hasn’t gone away. “Medieval-core” is supposed to be the big thing this summer. I am proud to say I liked it before it was cool. One of the biggest artists in this niche is Hildegard Von Blingin, named after the Medieval nun Hildegard von Bingen, and like her namesake, her music is making waves in the Medieval Cover genre.
Here is;
- Paint it Black
- House of the Rising Sun
Finally, here is;
- The Queen of Argyll (Goitse)
Well Traveler, its time to go on your way. Thank you for joining me at WMWC and I’ll see you next week for Mythological tunes.
- Seven Nation Army (Stantough)