Joyful Basque Accordion and Tambourine Music
594974
Among the characteristic instruments of the Basque region of Spain, centered on Bilbao, is the tritikitixa, also known as eskusoinua, the Basque version of the button diatonic accordion. Kepa Junkera is from a long tradition of musicians who specialize in this instrument, which predates its first photographic evidence in 1890. This album is part of "A Little History" of the instrument, which is an illustrated and detailed book in Basque and only Spanish translation, alas. The book includes the CD format. The .mp3 version, while deficient in sound quality is readily available and less expensive. Accompanying Junkera are the seven women pandero [tambourine with jingles] and square frame drum players of the group Sorginak, who also sing in harmony. Nine of the 17 tracks are traditional songs and dances; the others are from Junkera's pen. While the sound is folk music, the cheerful arrangements and improvisations are contemporary. The tunes are more like Italian folk music than Galician Celtic, although they have other Spanish and French influences. This happy, unusual music is certainly worth your attention. 70 minutes.
4960737
Debut CD by an energetic trio with Acadian influences combines fiddle, bass, accordian, acoustic guitar, spoons and bones, with a clever addition of backbeat from step dancing. Even vocals and smooth harmonies, all in  French, draw the listener to the emotion behind the music and story lines.  In the tradition of other Celtic World music, the dynamic sounds and beat  translate in any language to true "joie de vivre" regardless of  the listener's primary language.
3934061
Forma Antiqva are an instrumental group from Asturias consisting of three brothers - Aarn, Daniel and Pablo Zapico - who have been making a name for themselves in their native Spain and beyond. On the evidence of this CD, they richly deserve their success. Their instruments are theorbo, baroque guitar and harpsichord/organ, and here they bring us a well-judged programme of baroque Italian and Iberian instrumental dance pieces played with both energy and imagination.

Most of the pieces are originally for the lute family or solo keyboard, but the brothers have arranged the works to suit their own combination of instruments. So their approach is not strictly H.I.P., but more in an adventurous spirit of the kind that will be familiar to fans of, for example, Christina Pluhar and L'Arpeggiata. By this I don't mean that the brothers try to copy this or any other group - they are far too good to do that, and are very much their own masters with their own individual style. In any case their approach is both enterprising and entirely convincing, and certainly well within the liberal traditions of baroque instrumental practice. They perform with panache and brilliance and with compelling, foot-tapping rhythms, and their instruments sound superb.

Composers represented include Kapsberger, Santiago de Murcia, Pasquini, Valente and Domenico Scarlatti. The choice of music is generally unfamiliar but in all cases delightful. The Fandango by Scarlatti makes for an arresting opening, and the various ostinato pieces - passacaglia, chaconne, follia and the like - go especially well. My own favourites include Kapsberger's Passacaglia and Ciaccona, the closing Ballo by Antonio Valente, and above all the anonymous Bayle del Gran Duque. This latter is a Spanish version from 1709 of a glorious Italian work which kept turning up in many forms throughout the baroque era: the Ballo del Gran Ducca, sometimes called Aria di Fiorenza, whose origin was Cavalieri's concluding choral dance from the Florentine Intermedii (also known as La Pellegrina) of 1589. It's a graceful, stately dance to an unforgettable melody, further enhanced here by some inspired instrumental work; and, when we hear it played as beautifully as this, it's easy to understand why composers from many countries continued to write their own versions of it for more than a century afterwards.

The booklet provides only very brief comments about the music but all the sources are carefully documented, as are details of the instruments. The disc is attractively presented and the recorded sound is superb. In fact there is not a single weak piece or dull moment here, and altogether this is a thoroughly engaging baroque delight. Let's hope we will hear plenty more from this outstanding group of musicians.
2360792
I've had the pleasure of seeing this band live several times. They are extremely versatile, each playing several instruments, and their warm humor and obvious rapport with each other is a delight. All of that is captured on this enchanting CD of their favorite Irish songs, which range from the humorous song to poignant melody. Classically trained Maura Dwyer on violin and cello produces a sound that tugs at your heart strings one minute, then starts your feet a tapping the next!  This album conjures up the spirit of Ireland at its very best.
1510938
Here is a wonderful album of children's music from a fantastic acoustic duo.  Lullagrass is Patrick McGuire and Milo Deering.  These two are more than accomplished artists.  Their recent album "Acoustic Dreams", is a collection of soothing and calming sounds from acoustic instruments.  The intent of this album is to put your child to sleep but it's also excellent music that parents will love.

One of my favorite tracks on this album is "Lullaby Baby Blues" which was co-written by the famous blues artist Keb-Mo.  This is an excellent soft and slow acoustic blues tune. The interplay of precise violin, slide guitar, and acoustic guitar is simply wonderful in this song.  Lullagrass really is a fantastic group of accomplished musicians who know what they are doing.  Yes, this is an excellent children's album, but it's also a great album for parents.
4826295
I bought this after hearing Christoph Graupner's Suite for 3 chalumeaux in C major on the radio. The music was lush and joyful, but I didn't recognize the clarinet-like instrument---the chalumeaux. What a treat!
62004
This album presents an impeccable recording and beautiful instrumentation and some very pleasant vocals. Like the country itself, the music represents a mix of the hispanic, asian and malayo-polynesian sensibilities.  For those who have a deeper interest in Philippine culture, this is a must-get.  But also for those who love authentic musics of the world, check this out.  You won't be disappointed.
2494311
My title for this review says it all. This recording features voices, lutes, harps, keyboards, dulcimer, baroque violin, mute cornett and so on. The songs are performed in slightly 'folk-music-like' arrangements. The whole CD has a very natural but very stylish feel to it.
One of my faviourite recordings of 2003!
942995
I discover this music almost by chance, listening to a Putumayo compilation. I'm happy I did! This is wonderful Caribbean music, full of nice percussion rhythms and vibrant string sounds; it's not Reggae, but a more folksy-African style. I don't understand much French, but I know that this "chanteur" touches upon social issues on the Martinique through his lyrics, which makes the music (to me) even more valuable.
3332598
Looking for a good soundtrack to reading vampire novels or playing either incarnation of World of Darkness's Vampire RPGs? Look no further than Nox Arcana's "Transylvania". The cuts are lush and evocative, redolent of the dark, of decadance, of mystery and horror and the preternatural, of cruel, soulless yet elegent creatures of the night. This blend of professional-quality sound-effects, well-scored music, and just-the-right-length original verses makes the perfect musical backdrop for a Hallowe'en party, ghost story reading or vampire RPG session
3540043
I first heard Katie Herzig performing with Andrew Bell on a recording for SXSW 2011.  I wanted to hear more and I was not disappointed.  This alboum impresses me throughout.  It fits many different moods.  There is fare that seems more light and fun like "Oh My Darlin'" and "Best Days Of Your Life".  Then there are the more atmospheric songs like "The Waking Sleep" and "Lost & Found".  However, they all carry a complex layering and are a treat to hear.

A great record.
2418827
Time passing, raindrops on the windowpane, the magic of life... this CD evokes such moments and moods.  The piano combined with cello moves one into a contemplative mood. The chords can be repetitive at times in this, but it works in an amazing way! The music starts out with a theme and then expands and opens like a beautiful flower.
541975
A perfect mix of all that is great and good about American acoustic music.  The album title is a nostalgic nod towards the old Jim Kweskin/Leadbelly anthem, and like the early '60s jug bands, this disc is a model of versatility and stylistic depth, mixing bluegrass, blues, folk and acoustic jazz with equal ease.  On my first listen I thought I'd heard the hovering presence of guitarist David Bromberg: turns out it wasn't just his influence: Bromberg plays on several tracks, and the album is drenched with his good-natured, boozy bonhomie.  There are soft, melodic fiddle tunes and waltzes, a bit of Bob Wills swing, goofy folk-club novelty songs like Mason's "Bad Attitude" and Guy Clark's "Homegrown Tomatoes," and touches of sheer genius such as the New Orleans jazz woven into the old Delmore Brothers hit, "Blues Stay Away From Me."  The band, Swingology, is playing at the top of its game,  yet has that aw-shucks, front porch informality that the bluegrass/old-timey crowd so wisely values.  This is a really sweet record, well worth picking up.
1113177
This is a wonderful cd with a simple cozy feel to it.  The musicianship is top-notch, but the recording has such a homey intimacy that it's like having these wonderful musicians in your home. The album is an effective mix of story, song and reminscences largely in Gaelic but with enough English to keep it accessible.  There are lots of instrumentals featuring wonderful fiddle work (as one would expect from Cape Breton) and piano as well as some superb guitar and Pipes (both Highland and Uillean).  There are superb choral pieces from the Cape Breton Gaelic Choir that sound wonderfully homey.  This is not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir by any stretch. It is spartan and simple, but no less beautiful or moving for all that.  This is quite a treasure and well worth seeking out for anyone who likes folk or acoustic music or for anyone who just likes good music, because this is top notch.
2227656
What I really like about this is that it is an unabashedly acoustic recording. There are plenty of 'lounge' recording of South American music that try to marry electronic sounds with latina cool. This has latina cool to burn but is a fantastic, live-sounding session. The vocals are gorgeous, virtuosic. The horns sound like real horns. The trumpets trump. The saxophones sax. The percussion is bright and present. The standup bass sounds like a standup bass. It's the kind of recording you just don't hear that much today.

This is music that borrows from South American folk sounds, modern improvised jazz, and even a bit of pop music. My fave track is the fifth one, El Llorn, 'Weeping, as we gringos would say.' It's a melancholy fantasia for nylon stringed guitar and vocals. Gorgeous.

Really, if you have arrived here, just buy this. You'll love it. It will stand up to many, many a listen. Oh, it's sexy too.
182275
This 1997 Harmonia Mundi release by the Ensemble Gilles Binchois seems like something of a miracle to me. The chants here were written with neumes, (symbols accompanying text, which seem incredibly arcane to most modern eyes), c. 900 CE., at the monastery of St. Gall. The ensemble of 3 tenors, 1 baritone and  2 basses, render the chants with incredible grace, fluidity, richness and warmth. The interactions between  cantor and choir seem almost improvisatory times. Ornamentation is performed in a very natural manner. There is an welcome absence of scholarly stiffness or odd musical shenanigans. This is the kind of chant album I have been wishing for for several decades. I'm  glad to have finally found it!
4676723
I found this completely by accident, but am glad I did. On this CD there are 12 songs . Some are written by the artist, and seven are versions of tunes written by the great Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan. All are wonderful. I highly recommend it. Surprisingly, it is one of the artist's earliest recordings. There are many more which I hope to check out as well.