Mercury Rising by Saturnalia Trio Quartet

The third Saturnalia Trio album and the first as a quartet.

"Although the opening track suggests a journey along the Jethro Tull / Ian Anderson path with its acoustic touches, further songs reveal more of a medieval approach with the clever use of many period instruments including mandolin, balalaika, assorted percussion, Celtic harp, recorders, tin whistle, psaltery and flute together with a more modern accompaniment of synthesizers, alto sax and electric dulcimer. All members contribute vocally. Leslie's viola and violin often adopt a rather mournful and discordant sound while in some sections, the vocals portray a similarly morose, almost tragic feel which although certainly not designed to uplift your spirits, is in keeping with the songs presented here. Many of the songs date from the 13th and 14th Centuries while a number are self penned by Daniel with only the final, title track recognizing the contributions of the other collaborators..."

"For me, the best track of the album, "Come Down From West Hills" fills this role admirably as it completes the total journey from the past and adorns the sound with some tasteful use of synthesizers to keep the song fresh and alive. If the similarity to some of Ian Anderson's more acoustic work is also considered, the song becomes a minor classic."

- Sea of Tranquility

"Mercury Rising is not just an album of music from the Middle Ages but much more; it is a very interesting selection of tunes and songs from different areas performed more than adequately by a very eclectic band that is hard to catalogue and is not afraid to experiment new and daring musical routes. I particularly like your fresh and modern approach to medieval music but also some very fine original compositions like the final title track (which has some echoes of the last Dead Can Dance but with a more jazzy feel!) and "Miracle of Water": and in fact so far I played just that track and "Caballero De Franca" in my radio show of folk, roots and world music here at Radio Voce Spazio." - Massimo Ferro.

Tracklist

1.	A Miracle of Water	6:11

2.	Upon Your Return	2:59

3.	Mercurio Suite: Trouvere Melody, Lamento di Tristano, La Rotta	7:42

4.	How Deep in Love Am I	2:49

5.	Found an Island	2:40

6.	Chansonnette 'Quant je Voy Yver Retorner'	1:13

7.	Miragres Fremosos Faz Por Nos	1:42

8.	Las Mayas	2:01

9.	Ben Volgra	3:01

10.	Blackberry Sunday	2:36

11.	Moon is Our Mirror	2:35

12.	Le Septime Estampie Real	3:03

13.	Come Down from West Hills	4:08

14.	Caballero de Franca	3:11

15.	C'est la Fin / Brought with the Rain	5:03

Credits

released May 16, 2002

Daniel Crommie: vocals, mandolin, buche, balalaika, flutes, recorders, psaltery, synthesizers, electric dulcimer, tin whistle, bowed psaltery, jaw trump, occasional percussion.

Leslie Gray: violin, viola, vocals.

Paul Evans: djembes, dumbec, box drum, alto sax, vocal.

Elizabeth Nicholson: vocals, celtic harp.

Guest vocal on "Moon is Our Mirror": Karen Searcy.

Produced and engineered by Daniel Crommie. Recorded at Digitalis from November 2000 to March 2002.

Mastering and sound design: Jamie Haggerty.
Cover design: Jamie Haggerty.

License