"Way back, around 1970 or 71, I was rooting through the album delete bin in a London, Ontario record store when a particular LP caught my eye because of the cover art. I immediately bought it and took it home. I spend the next several hours listening to “ The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion” by The Incredible String Band. Days of listening to Heron and Williams perform “Little Cloud” and “The Hedgehog’s Song” hooked me on medieval folk rock. Purchases of John Renbourn and early Fairport Convention followed. Eventually, with the passage of time, the  appeal waned, supplanted by other music. Just recently, The Princes of Serendip ( Julie Parisi Kirby and T.G. Vanini) have re-kindled that interest with “Seed Maid:Sentimental Songs” The CD brought back the mystery, the magic and the passion that was evident in that haunting mixture of baroque and Renaissance influences. For good measure, The Princes of Serendip include a healthy dose of Celtic influences. Vanini's songs weave an appealing mosaic of vignettes. His and Parisi Kirby’s vocals combined with the sparse instrumentation, bring those songs to life. One of the highlights for me is the optimistic  (romantic) “Shadow Of The Wall” which perhaps voices the hope we all have for 2017 being better than 2016. The a capella “The White Gull’s Song” is illustrative of Julie Parisi Kirby’s vocal abilities. The CD is a beguiling breath of fresh air with not one weak moment. Every song is to be savoured and enjoyed. Do yourself a favour; dim the lights, light the fire, pour yourself a hot chocolate or a goblet of mulled wine, put on the CD and enjoy the passion (and compassion) that the Princes of Serendip bring to their music.  You will thank yourself afterwards."  John Sillberg, CKOL Radio, 93.7 FM,
Campbellford, ON   December 2016