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- A Touch of Latvian Folk Music includes about a dozen different artists and groups. The CD shows the traditional side as well as modern songs. It opens with a traditional song by Ugis Praulins, "Easter Comes," and the classic sound of the zither, embellished by some sound effects of the outdoors and synthesized drones. It is a beautiful song that moves from a slow pace to a faster section with percussion, and back to the droning slower melody. What a wonderful introduction to the world of Latvian music this cut is. Not only is the composition itself appealing, but the production is superb and the arrangement would catch the ear of any lover of European music.
There are dance tunes, lullabies, and great vocal work (both solo and small chorus). The mixture of instruments includes both the traditional zither, fiddles, guitars, pipes, percussion and a few tasteful electric instruments (if I'm not mistaken.) The listener comes away with a real sense of the colors of Latvian music. You can hear Scandinavian, Bulgarian, Celtic, and Russian influences, but it has its own character that becomes more identifiable the longer you listen. This compilation CD is an excellent introduction to vast wealth of artists the country has to offer.
1. Paganu gadagramata / Easter Comes
2. Paganu gadagramata / I sleep and sleep
3. Saules meita / Whissby
4. Seju veju / Girls Sing Beyond the Stream
5. Bolta eimu / Neigh, neigh, the Grey Horse
6. Latviesu danci / Long Dance
7. Latvies danci / Engelits
8. Supuldziesmas / No Other Bird Cooed
9. Dzelzim dzimu / Brothers, Lets Sing Together
10. Dzelzim dzimu / Beer Drinkers Have Barley Growing
11. Skaistakas dziesmas / Two Doves Ran in the Sky
12. Skaistakas dziesmas / Dark Night, Green Grass
13. Kyukova dzagyuze / I Know the Place My Brother Lives
14. Kyukova dzagyuze / Call Out Dear Cuckoo Bird
- CD, in English
- Riga, Latvia
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