28 February 2010
By Lyov
In folk
Armenian Fantasies
Few instrumentalists dominate and define their instrument like duduk player Djivan Gasparyan. In Gasparyan’s hands, the Armenian oboe (carved from apricot branches) takes on a warm, spiritual tone that sounds at times ethereal, at others spirited. Until now, we’ve heard Gasparyan either solo or with minimal accompaniment (namely, his collaboration with Canadian guitarist Michael Brook on Black Rock). But on Armenian Fantasies, Gasparyan performs with his largest ensemble yet, a group of 10 traditional Armenian instrumentalists. The results are mesmerizing. On the “Armenian Suite,” we get a catchy medley of folksy love songs; “Kamantcha Blues” is a shorter, more introspective work of improvisation; and “Armenian Romances” focuses on the country’s more melancholic songs of longing. With each track, we hear the meditative, shadowy sounds of the duduk, along with indigenous instruments such as the tar (lute), kamantcha (fiddle), and kanon (zither) played at their peak. Highly recommended....
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armenian, Armenian Fantasies, Djivan Gasparyan, Ensemble, folk, traditional, world, world music
25 February 2010
By Lyov
In folk
Oyo
Once again, the Beninese diva rakes off to keep her title as queen of world music and offers a very beautiful album.
The Beninese singer has been taking her muse on holiday recently, with albums inspired by Brazil and the Caribbean. But her eighth album is reminiscent of her fourth, Oremi, on which she investigated African-American grooves. So here we get Africanised versions of Move on Up, Cold Sweat, I’ve Got Dreams to Remember and Baby, I Love You — all good, but you never forget the inspirations. More interesting is a vocal version of Santana’s Samba Pa Ti, while the African covers are better yet.
World-music purists may well turn up their noses, but the Beninese singer’s celebration of her musical roots turns out to be a magnificently upbeat marriage of African tradition and western pop. Kidjo’s inspired version of James Brown’s Cold Sweat is one of the most exhilarating performances she has ever put on record. The spirit of Miriam Makeba hovers over the lullaby Lakutshona Llanga, and the American jazz-soul diva Dianne Reeves joins in the Aretha-esque testifying on Baby, I Love You. Kidjo even honours Sidney Bechet with the tender lyrics of Petite Fleur. The world is awash with bloodless X Factor wannabes; Kidjo reminds you what a real voice sounds like....
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africa, african, Angelique Kidjo, female vocalists, Oyo, world, world music
24 February 2010
By Lyov
In Country, folk
Hillbilly Goddess
Hillbilly Goddess pairs the Louisiana-bred bluegrass singer Alecia Nugent with an all-star cast of modern bluegrass, including members of Ricky Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder, Blue Highway, the Dan Tyminski Band and the Infamous Stringdusters. Nugent more than holds her own in such illustrious company, with her powerful vocals and personal lyrics staying front and center even on bluegrass raveups like “The Nugent Family Band.”Dirty Linen – “She has her own distinct style and voice, of course, but if you like Rhonda Vincent and Claire Lynch, then you’ll find much to enjoy on Nugent’s latest album.”...
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Alecia Nugent, bluegrass, Country, cowhat bg, cowhat superhero, female bluegrass vocalist, Hillbilly Goddess
22 February 2010
By Lyov
In folk
Gipsy Kings
On this, arguably the finest of the group’s efforts, the caliber of the musicianship is striking. Rhythmically athletic acoustic guitars, passionate singing, and stirring, syncopated handclaps coalesce to create a fresh, romantic, and eminently danceable sound. Modulations of mood abound, from joyous, percussive romps (“Bem, Bem, Maria”) through more sedate tunes evocative of intimate Spanish cafes (“Quiero Saber”), to plaintive melodies embellished with gorgeous flamenco motifs, such as “Tu Quieres Volver.” Also included are two of the band’s biggest hits, “Djobi Djoba” and the endlessly infectious “Bamboleo.” GIPSY KINGS is an excellent place to start exploring this inventive, wonderfully accessible music....
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flamenco, Gipsy Kings, guitar, latin, spanish, world
23 December 2009
By Lyov
In folk
Criolinha
A protege of the great Cape Verdean vocalist Cesaria Evora, Fantcha (born:Francelina Durao Almerida) is one of the most successful of Cape Verde ’s young torch singers. Her album, Criolina, recorded in Portugal and released in 1998, was an international hit....
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ambient, cabo verde, cape verde, Criolinha, Fantcha, português, world
16 December 2009
By Lyov
In folk
Miss Perfumado
This 1992 recording, which is being released in the US for the first time, established this 57-year-old singer from the Portuguese West African island of Cabo Verde as an international star. Not quite a traditionalist, Cesaria Evora specializes in the Portuguese folk/cabaret ballad called Morna, a moderately paced, highly expressive song-form characterized by meandering minor-key melodies and lyrics which express suffering, hope, and, above all, the all-encompassing Portuguese concept of “saudade,” or nostalgia. As listeners on the Continent have already discovered, MISS PERFUMADO is a perfect introduction to this dignified artist. To be sure, not every song is slow to mid-tempo; there are some lively numbers, though Ms. Evora never loses her poise or even raises her appealingly musky voice. Credit also goes to guitarist/pianist Paulinho Vieira, who directs the sympathetic acoustic accompaniment, so evocative of the sea and warm nights of Evora’s beloved Cabo Verde....
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cape verde, Cesaria Evora, female vocalists, latin, Miss Perfumado, world, world music
24 November 2009
By Lyov
In Jazz, folk
Norevan
The founder of Katuner, Vahagn Hayrapetyan, is one of the most famous and popular jazz musicians performing on today’s Armenian stage. For a long time, he has been delivering his brand of close harmony by performing in a swing and pop style and also by playing in a trio he created....
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folk, Jazz, Katuner, Norevan
Erja Lyytinen
Otros Aires
Macy Gray
Marcie Campbell
Simply Red
