This disc is anything but an attempt at a historically accurate interpretation of English lute songs; the booklet, indeed, cheerfully states that "lute accompaniments have been written combining period technique with original ideas reflecting the individual character of the songs." Those accompaniments might in many cases almost be described as folky, with arpeggiated chords setting a relaxed mood that puts the focus on the unspectacular but warm countertenor singing of Nigel Perrin. And that folkiness pervades the album, which has something of a 1960s feel. Perrin concentrates on old songs that have become familiar, through the efforts of folk song collectors of the early twentieth century and their disciples in the folk revival, to listeners of the present day. It will be quite a surprise, if one hasn't taken a close look at the tracklist, to hear Scarborough Fair or The Water Is Wide (the latter now perhaps even better known in the U.S. than in England or its original Scottish homeland, where it was called O, Waly Waly) coming out of the speaker; these and other songs are done with the lyrics that evolving tradition has given them rather than in older styles. Another group (The Three Ravens, Brigg Fair, and perhaps John Barleycorn) is perhaps slightly less well known, and other tunes -- humorous, tragic, or romantic -- are cut from the same cloth but less familiar still. The result is something a good deal less common than a historically accurate lute song recording -- a performance that builds bridges between an old repertoire and the music of modern consciousness. Full texts are provided but are only occasionally needed, for Perrin sings everything musically and articulates the words clearly. This is a disc with considerable appeal to the average listener, but it will be of the greatest use to instructors who are trying to bring the bones of old English balladry to life for their students.