Throw away your Godfather-conceived notions of Sicilian music if you're going to listen to French record label Ocora's Sicile: Musiques Popularies/Sicily: Folk Music, a collection of traditional music from the Mediterranean island. Sicily, which counted Normans, North Africans, Greeks, and Romans among its occupiers (all of whose influences are heard in its music) and has lagged behind the mainland in terms of economic development, manages to still continue and retain much of its folk music, even as modern styles enter into ...
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Throw away your Godfather-conceived notions of Sicilian music if you're going to listen to French record label Ocora's Sicile: Musiques Popularies/Sicily: Folk Music, a collection of traditional music from the Mediterranean island. Sicily, which counted Normans, North Africans, Greeks, and Romans among its occupiers (all of whose influences are heard in its music) and has lagged behind the mainland in terms of economic development, manages to still continue and retain much of its folk music, even as modern styles enter into mainstream society. Recorded between 1984 and 2004 by Sergio Bonanzinga, a professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Palermo (he also compiled the very extensive and helpful liner notes included, which come in English, Italian, and French versions), the songs on the album are a good cross-section of Sicily's offerings, from tarantella to mazurka, from quadrille to waltz. Most are purely instrumentals, employing strings and winds and twisting, repetitive melodies, but there are also vocal pieces, which utilize harmonies and solos that are poignantly haunting, even if the language isn't understood. As opposed to having a class of paid, professional musicians, most Sicilian artists practiced music only as a second occupation, so many of the songs reflect these jobs (there are carter's songs, songs about fisherman, songs about shepherds), as well as the more typical odes to love. Like in many places, these folkloric traditions are slowly dying, but there are still families that pass down the songs and techniques, which is how Bonanzinga was able to gather most of these recordings. This also does explain why there is a slightly amateurish sound to the music on Sicile: Musiques Popularies/Sicily: Folk Music, the occasional missed guitar or flute note, a faltering voice, but this doesn't detract from the record. Rather, it embellishes its authenticity. This is no musica della mafia : these are songs performed by real, hard-working people with strong connections to their land, their music, and their history. ~ Marisa Brown, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Good. Size: 79x88x7; Disc in Good condition. Case and artwork are Like New. This item is guaranteed to play perfectly, with all original artwork and materials.
