Brocelïande is a band that plays Medieval and Renaissance music from Europe, and Celtic music from the British Isles. They are interested in music of days past, and also in playing traditional music during each season of the year. The artists on the album are Margaret Davis, Kristoph Klover, Karl Franzen, and Kris Yenney, with guest musicians Ernest Kinsolving, Deirdre McCarthy, Beth Milne, Aodh Og O Tuama, and Cat Taylor. The words were written by J.R.R. Tolkien, in his books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The music is by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Kristoph Klover, and Margaret Davis. This is a new release and arrangement of The Starlit Jewel, and will only be available in limited quantities.
The album starts off with a bright and refreshing song, “Elvish Lullaby”. The recorder playfully draws one in, and the cello adds a rich texture. One can definitely hear the prestige, class and grandeur of Tolkien’s elves come through the vocals and musical arrangement. The song ends with the cello deeply humming and the vocals winding around the rhythmic pulsing of the cello.
Next, the “Song of the Eldar in Exile” starts with the harp playing happily and joyfully. The layers of vocals by Davis fill the air easily with clear golden sounds. The nylon and wire-strings of the Celtic harps are lulling, shimmering yet soft. The ascending arpeggios dance upward, creating an emotion that seems as bright as Tolkien’s Star of Nimrodel. The song ends like a lullaby with a dreamy, beautiful tone. One feels like they’ve fallen into Tolkien’s dreamscape.
Slipping deeper into Tolkien’s world, the ears then hear birds chirping, giving the feeling of walking around near a deeply gardened home with a nice wooden gate. The words in this song are from the “Hobbit Walking Song” from The Hobbit. Being some of the most iconic words by Tolkien, many Middle-Earth fanatics likely hum this through their day. However, if every person heard this version of the song, it’s certain they also would sing it while going through their days. This song has wonderful plays between the vocals and instruments. The vocals are sung by Klover and give a great impression for the lyrics. The song starts off a cappella and then the mandola joins. The winding arpeggios of the mandola and bass simply feel good. This song feels like home.
Past the woods and into the pub, the song “Merry Old Inn” plays and sounds exactly like something one would expect to hear spilling out of a hobbit-run pub, along with the smell of pipe-weed smoke, ever-flowing ale, and lackadaisical, laughing hobbits. A very twangy folk ensemble of 12-string, whistle, jaw harp, recorder, and fiddle play together. If there was drink involved for the listener, it is certain the jaw harp and up-beat tempo of the song would have them dancing.
The next song starts off with rich cello and then the recorder’s notes march in. “Children’s Song of Dale” has a medieval feeling to it. The song is simple and optimistic, which allows the listener to take in the lyrics and feel as if they are in Dale hearing minstrels sing tales of Middle Earth.
Moving forward, “In Western Lands” may sound happy, but the context is more hopeful. In Tolkien’s work, the character Samwise Gamgee is fearful but hopeful he will be able to save Frodo and the ring from the dangerous darkness and violence of the Tower of Cirith Ungol. This song is very relevant to humans moving through their shadows and darkness in life. The execution of the song almost secretly tells that if one keeps a hopeful heart, then one can make it through any darkness.
Next is the shining gem of the album, “Galadriel’s Lament”. In this song the synth creates a deep and enveloping atmosphere, transforming the album from a happier folk album to an ethereal echoing moment in time. Notes like stars are smoothly sung by Davis. The harp’s notes are as if it was made from the finest elvish silver, sparkling and stinging with poignancy. A steady fall of silvery notes from Davis’s harp shapes the melody, transforming the singer’s chant into a river of words and music flowing effortlessly over the listener.
In stark contrast to the airy and angelic “Galadriel’s Lament” is the hobbit ballad “Troll Song”. In the book this is another song sung by Samwise. The song captures the distress that someone might feel if they encountered a troll in the mountains that wanted to eat them. The song is twangy and powerful. The 12-string, mandola, and Celtic harp have a lot of fun together.
Into the autumn of the album the listener finds “Lament for Boromir”. This mournful song takes the listener much deeper into the album, just as it’s closer to ending. The context of this song is that Boromir has just died and his brothers in fellowship, Aragorn and Legolas, are singing a lament for the fallen warrior. All the vocalists bring deep longing and sadness to the song.
Happiness and joy comes through the next song, “Bath Song”, pulling the listener away from thoughts of fallen brothers. Harmonica and cheerful vocals create a fun atmosphere. This song is seemingly a playful ode to daily tasks and the hobbit way of life.
“In Durin’s Day” starts quietly, and the vocals slowly build and project. After gaining momentum, the drums and orchestral instrumentation come in to bring a heaviness. Deep choral singing gives a feeling that many dwarves are marching— a war is to be won. This song evokes the respect that would be given to any dwarf who had been deep in the mines and caverns of Toklien’s Moria.
The two songs ending the album feel like the sun is coming up after coming out of the dark caves. “Lay of Nimrodel” is a soft song full of emotion. It evokes the stillness moving into action that comes with sunrise or sunset, that special time of day. “When Spring Unfolds” is the last song of the album and leaves a clean and fresh feeling in the head. The song is peaceful and light. It is a warm, friendly hug goodbye— waiting to be replayed again.
The Starlit Jewel is touching and immersive into Tolkien’s Middle Earth. One may feel like a hobbit drinking an ale and smoking pipe-weed, thinking on days of old and grand adventures. Reading with this music as a companion to Tolkien’s work is amazing, and will definitely be a one-of-a-kind experience.
This album could be on every Middle-Earth lover’s desk. Not only are all those who worked on it incredibly talented and professional musicians, but also the estate of J.R.R Tolkien has authorized the album. The album is available for purchase through Brocelïande’s website.
May the moss grow soft at your feet while you listen to this, and may the light of the clear voice and visions in this album bring you to Tolkien’s Menel (the Elvish word for the heaven above).