In celebration of their 10th year entertaining, the Orckes & Trolles have released their first audio CD!

ORCKES & TROLLES - THE WOOL ALBUM
by John-Paul, ATF Staff Writer

Ten years ago Robert Uy, for reasons unknown, formed the "alternative madrigal" group Orckes & Trolles. For the past decade various versions of this four member group have been entertaining at renaissance festivals and other events in the Midwest. In June of 2001, their first audio CD, the Wool Album, was released at the Salisbury Faire in Des Moines, Iowa.

The album artwork has the appearance of wool while the CD itself contains a full color photograph of a sheep with what could best be described as a Beatles haircut. Extensive liner notes and thank you's which read like a who's who in Midwest festivals are included as well as the lyrics to one of the songs, Da Boar's Head Carol. The tracks contained on the CD range from vocal only arrangements of period music to tunes accompanied by acoustic guitar and recorder. Many of the songs will be instantly familiar to those who have seen the Orckes & Trolles perform—All For Me Grog, Wild Rover, and Sheebeg & Sheemore (featuring vocal backgrounds) are all presented in digital format for the first time anywhere. The final track is a disturbing dance remix of A Robyn which may, for many, justify the purchase of this "not just another renfaire album" album.

Track Listing

Part I: Introduction

• We Be Three Poor Mariners

Part II: Unplagued

• Sheebeg & Sheemore
• Loch Lomond/Red is the Rose
• Coventry Carol
• The Water is Wide
• Wild Mountain Thyme

Part III: No Holds Bard

• All For Me Grog—Guitar and many extra vocalists.
• Wild Rover
• Da Boar's Head Carol??
• A Robyn (Sheep May Not Safely Graze Mix)

Throughout the album there are several bits of dialog between current members Robert, James, and (husband and wife) Warren and Patty. In classic O&T form, sheep and scurvy references play an important role in moving this near-concept album from start to finish. If you place the CD on repeat, as we have been doing since we acquired our copy at the Council Bluff's Faire of the Midlands, you will find that the starting and ending segments blend together quite intentionally.

Performance quality is very human. The album was recorded during three or four late night sessions in a condo meeting room. A Roland VS-880 digital multitrack recorder allowed a few extra vocal overdubs on a few tracks but most of what you hear is a straight live recording with very little studio interference or manipulation. The occasional missed note, popped "P" or guitar string buzz seems to make the recording much more personal than what might have come from a big time professional studio. Overall, this album is an excellent snapshot of the group doing what it does best—singing, playing and having a good time. The final product is far better than many of the CDs I've picked up at festivals in past years.

Sheep? What's with the sheep?

Our friend Paul had a copy before we did and he told us that the last track was "just wrong." He meant that in a good way, and we confirmed this ourselves when we finally heard it. Without giving away too much, let's just say that the all-vocal round A Robyn can actually be found intact in the middle of this 6 minute song along with various other surprising things as well as a sample (used with permission) from Wild Mountain Thyme's Scotland's Depraved. Music purists may skip this track, but Willa and I have already voted it one of our favorites.

The CD is available direct from Robert Uy for $18 (which includes shipping) or you may pick one up at a festival and save postage. You will find a link to the official Orckes and Trolles website from their entry page in our Faire Folke index. When you hit their front page, just click on the picture of the sheep.

In summary, we really really like this album. It's fun! Seeing that the Orckes and Trolles promote themselves as alternative madrigal, the album is more than fitting. It is a worthy addition to any renaissance festival audio collection and a must have for anyone who has ever enjoyed listening to them perform live.

Besides... it cures scurvy.*

--- John-Paul

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