John Playford began a music publishing house in London, and as a result we are fortunate to have ballad and dance tunes, vocal music, art music, a tremendous wealth of 17th-century English culture preserved for us to enjoy today. Bringing the music to life requires a free spirit willing to push the boundaries of style, and in this recording improvisation fairly bubbles. The charming, energetic, and irresistable character of English melody was never more present than on this disc.

Reviews:
"Enticing!" - Stereophile
"Get out and buy a copy now!" - Fanfare
"The music is given an effortless, joyful treatment. I hope harmonia mundi is planning a second volume." - Early Music Magazine

Volume 1 Tracks: 1. Tom Scarlett (3:00) 2. Old Simon the King (3:43) 3. Another Division on a Ground by Mr. John Banister (9:54) 4. Moll Peatly, or The Old Marinett (2:18) 5. The Bear's Dance (4:25) 6. Hunsdon House (1:51) 7. Sir Martin Marah's Jigg (2:06) 8. Fy Nay, Prithee John! (2:21) 9. Paul's Steeple, or the Duke of Norfolk (3:35) 10. The Glory of the West (1:36) 11. The Mock Glory of the West (1:57) 12. The Glory of the Sun (4:01) 13. Faronell's Division on a Ground (7:27) 14. Faronell's Division on a Ground (1:16) 15. Long Cold Nights (7:43) 16. Johney Cock Thy Beaver (2:29) 17. Greene-Sleeves (3:46) 18. Stingo, the the Oyle of Barly (1:11) 19. Cockleshells (5:28) 20. Another Division on a Ground by Mr. P. B. (3:25) 21. The Queen's Jigg (3:58) Total time: 77:42