Naxos: 8554425

"As Susato explained on his title-page, the songs may be performed on various combinations of voices and instruments, and the Convivium Musicum Gothenburgense do just this, every possible combination proving equally effective and persuasive. The shawms, dulcians and trombones offer an impressively rich sound in the anonymous dances arranged by Susato, especially track 15, with its very catchy refrain, and 13, Susato's own Myns liefkens bruyn ooghen, which could easily be mistaken for a Gabrieli canzona. There are also gentle and sweet-toned performances by four recorders on tracks 11 (by Josquin Baston) and 17 (by Clemens non Papa), and (to my surprise, I have to admit) by four crumhorns on track 21. In each piece the intonation, articulation and, especially, the rhythmic energy are excellent, the latter quality particularly striking in the syncopations and hemiolas of Susato's arrangement of an anonymous 'Hoboken Dance' (track 18). In the vocal track the singing has a delightfully ingenuous quality that matches perfectly the rustic and slightly wistful nature of most of the texts, and is accompanied with great sensitivity by lute, viols and various soft wind instruments. On track 1, in contrast, the group clearly relishes the opportunities presented by Hellinck's rowdy song Compt alle uut, a list of the various afflictions handed out by Fortune, to ham up the descriptions of those 'who like a drink' or who suffer from 'a runny nose and cold knees.' This disc represents excellent value for money, and provides an entertaining and highly musical introduction to a repertory that deserves to be more familiar than it is." - International Record Review (Emma Wakelin), May 2000