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Since 1915, the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre has been working to preserve and promote the knowledge and practice of the traditional and contemporary dancing and dance music of England and New England. The Boston Centre sponsors and produces classes, parties, workshops, and residential and special events featuring the best performers and practitioners of English and New England country dancing. Events are open to all, and most feature teaching; no experience or partner is required.

The Boston Centre has produced a series of compact discs, "The English Country Dance Collection," featuring Bare Necessities. Ten volumes are now available.

These can be ordered here from Mary Lea. To hear audio clips please visit the CDS website or click on the Volume # links below.

Volume 1
cd cover:Favorites of the Boston Centre
Favorites of the Boston Centre Some best-loved dances as selected by the Boston Centre members for their Fall Favorites dance party.
  • Jack's Maggot •
  • Sun Assembly •
  • The Old Mill •
  • The Female Saylor •
  • John Tallis' Canon •
  • Sally in Our Alley •
  • Long Live London •
  • Round About Our Coal Fire •
  • The Introduction •
  • Hudson Barn •
  • Bury Fair •
  • Quite Carr-ied Away •
  • Easter Morn
Volume 2
cd cover: More Favorites of the Boston Centre
More Favorites of the Boston Centre Even more most-requested dances, imaginatively recorded by Bare Necessities.
  • Lilliburlero •
  • Up With Aily •
  • Bonny Cuckoo •
  • Trip to Paris •
  • Punchbowl •
  • Kelsterne Gardens •
  • Dublin Bay •
  • Fair and Softly •
  • From Aberdeen •
  • Elverton Grove •
  • Bellamira •
  • Smithy Hill •
  • Wibsey Roundabout •
  • Prince William
Volume 3
cd cover: Simple Pleasures
Simple Pleasures Straightforward, but fun. Great dances for a mixed level crowd!
  • The Ragg •
  • The Dressed Ship •
  • Farewell Marian •
  • The Spaniard •
  • Christina •
  • Auretti's Dutch Skipper •
  • Draper's Garden •
  • The Physical Snob •
  • Freeford Gardens •
  • I Care Not For These Ladies •
  • Lovely Nancy •
  • Jacob Hall's Jig •
  • Handel With Care •
  • Yellow Stockings •
  • Hole in the Wall
Volume 4
cd cover: Modern Treasures
Modern Treasures A great selection of modern classics.
  • Ashford Anniversary •
  • All Saints' Day •
  • A New Beginning •
  • Fenterlarick •
  • Shandy Hall •
  • O, Susato •
  • Helena •
  • Astoria Lass •
  • In the Bleak Midwinter •
  • Pat's Tradition •
  • Another Nancy's Fancy •
  • Winter Solstice •
  • Michael and All Angels •
  • The Homecoming
Volume 5
cd cover: At Home
At Home Host your own dance party! These dances can fit in your living room or parlor.
  • The Installation •
  • The Astonished Archaeologist •
  • Lull Me Beyond Thee •
  • Argeers •
  • Hunsdon House •
  • Shrewsbury Lasses •
  • Fain I Would •
  • The Merry Andrew •
  • Hyde Park •
  • Broom, the Bonny Bonny Broom •
  • Love and a Bottle •
  • The Merry Andrew (slow version) •
  • Chelsea Reach •
  • Leah's Waltz •
  • Epping Forest •
  • Once A Night •
  • Mrs. Pomeroy's Pavane •
  • Sir Watkin's Jig •
  • Jovial Beggars •
  • Oxford Circus/Parson's Farewell •
  • The Merry, Merry Milkmaids •
  • Randolph Farewell
Volume 6
cd cover: At the Ball
At The Ball Longways dances from past programs at the Philadelphia Playford ball.
  • Red House •
  • The Mulberry Garden •
  • Corelli's Maggot •
  • Prince George's Birthday •
  • Mount Hills •
  • The Pursuit •
  • King of Poland •
  • Amarillis •
  • Bar a Bar •
  • Anna Maria •
  • Young Widow •
  • The Northdown Waltz •
  • Sadler's Wells •
  • Leather Lake House •
  • Never Love Thee More
Volume 7
cd cover: By Request
By Request Dance leaders from all over have asked for these, all with beautiful new renditions by Bare Necessities (with Jeanne Morrill, guest vocalist).
  • Jaque Latin •
  • Red and All Red •
  • Dover Pier •
  • Gypsy Round •
  • Albany Assembly •
  • In the Fields of Frost and Snow •
  • When Laura Smiles •
  • Perpetual Motion •
  • Cupid's Garden •
  • Midnight Ramble •
  • Gigue for Genny (Greenholm) •
  • The Collier's Daughter •
  • Ramsgate Assembly •
  • Ore Boggy •
  • Mrs. Savage's Whim
Volume 8
cd cover:By Choice this Time
By Choice This time, the band got to pick some of their favorite pieces!
  • The Haymakers •
  • Easter Tuesday •
  • Rafe's Waltz •
  • Softly Good Tummas •
  • Bonny Gray-Ey'd Morn •
  • Nightcap •
  • Muriel's Measure •
  • Angels Unawares •
  • The Princess •
  • Cockle Shells •
  • Turning of the Year •
  • Beggar Boy •
  • Rufty Tufty
Volume 9
cd cover: Strong Roots
Strong Roots Easy Historical Dances
  • Apley House •
  • Braes of Dornoch •
  • Heartsease •
  • The Hop Ground •
  • Huntington's Maggot •
  • Mr. Isaac's Maggot •
  • Old Wife Behind the Fire •
  • Portabella •
  • Rakes of Rochester •
  • Row Well Ye Mariners •
  • Scotch Cap •
  • Sion House •
  • Well Done Jack •
  • Spanish Jigg
Volume 10
cd cover: New Shoots
New Shoots A selection of popular modern compositions
  • Impropriety •
  • Beach Spring •
  • Lady William's Delight •
  • Six For the Six Proud Walkers •
  • Familiar Quotations •
  • Devil's Maggot •
  • Key to the Cellar •
  • Dunsmuir Waltz •
  • A Trip To Town-O •
  • Laura's Waltz •
  • Puck's Deceit •
  • Safe Haven •
  • Companions
Volume 11
cd cover: A New English Ball
A New English Ball Modern dances from England
  • Mr. Ganiford's Maggot •
  • Koepoort Galliard •
  • Delia (or the Amorous Goddess) •
  • Stepping Stones •
  • Up On a Lofty Mountain •
  • Dear Papa and Dear Mama •
  • Fast packet •
  • Amy •
  • Josephine •
  • White Wheat •
  • Mr. Ganiford's Delight •
  • The Betrayed Lover •
  • Turn of the Tide •
  • Pride of Newcastle