Spain

These two volumes of rare recordings offer improvised sung poetry in the ancient Basque language; deep-voiced fishermen’s harmonies; clear women’s voices from green valleys and mountains; double alboka horn, pipe and drum ensembles; Navarrese jotas; and the irrintzi, the reverberating cry which ended Alan Lomax’s sojourn in Spain. Contains previously unreleased recordings.

The first set focusing on Spain from the Alan Lomax library released by Rounder, The Spanish Recordings: Basque Country -- Biscay and Guipuzcoa does not present a style of music one might expect to be found in Spain at all. As Lomax traveled through the Basque Country, located in the Pyrenees Mountains on either side of the Spanish-French border, it became clear to him that the area and culture were vastly different from those around it. Being nestled in such terrain, the Basque Country was rarely influenced by outside sources, which allowed the area to develop very distinct traditions, and the one that struck Lomax as being incredibly impressive was the popular custom of the Basques to compete publicly by improvising songs. Several improvisations are collected here alongside some performances by pipe groups and choirs. Immediately bewitching, the music opens with a solo vocal over a tambourine and alboka (a reed instrument unique to the Basque Country that is made from cow horns and sounds something like two clarinets played together, but sharper), before showcasing the songs by the choirs Lomax came across. Both the choirs and solo improvised vocal tracks are sparkling with beautiful melodies, and almost every song on the record boasts of the area's fishing expertise. As with the majority of Lomax's work, The Spanish Recordings: Basque Country -- Biscay and Guipuzcoa not only represents an incredible document from a musical perspective, but also a wonderful history lesson in that the Basque politics and social atmosphere resonate in a specific time and place.-AllMusic Review by Gregory McIntosh

Listado de canciones:
1. Jota. 2:07. Interpretado por: Arantza Goikoetxea, Andoni Goikoetxea
2. Porrusalda (Arin-Arin) (baile). 1:16. Interpretado por: Arantza Goikoetxea, Andoni Goikoetxea
3. Biribilketa (baile). 1:55. Interpretado por: Arantza Goikoetxea, Andoni Goikoetxea
4. Bartarratsian Ezkongai Nintzen (Last Night I Was a Bachelor). 1:01. Sotero Erauzkin
5. Ameriketan Ez Dakizute (In America You Don't Have). 1:51. Interpretado por: Ignacio "Basarri" Eizmendi
6. Koadrila Batzen Gara (We Get Together, Our Crowd). 1:07
7. Goizeko Ordu Bietan (At Two A.M.). 0:41
8. Txalupa Haundixe (The Big Boat). 0:26
9. Afaldurikan (Having Supper). 00:45
10. Ni Naiz Emakumea Arrain Saltzailia (I'm a Woman, a Fish Vendor). 1:12
11. Mendiko Umea Naiz (I'm a Child of the Mountain). 1:15. Simon Badiola
12. Zuek Getariarrok (You from Getaria). 2:13
13. Ikusten Degu (We See in the Morning). 1:47
14. Nere Maitia (Beloved, Awake). 2:51
15. Nagusi Jauna (Mister Landlord). 00:45
16. Ai, Ama! (Ay, Mother). 1:04
17. Hiru Lo-Kanta (Three Lullabies). 1:58
18. Udaberrian Txoriak; Irrintzi (Like the Birds in Spring). 1:42. Interpretado por: Imanol Lertxundi, Simon Badiola
19. Biluzkeria Maite Duen Batek (One Who Likes to Dress Somewhat ...). 1:24. Interpretado por: Ignacio "Basarri" Eizmendi
20. Agur Jaunak. 1:19. Interpretado por: Banda de Txistularis de Zarautz
21. Alkate Soñua. 2:05. Interpretado por: Banda de Txistularis de Zarautz
22. Aurresku . 3:10. Interpretado por: Banda de Txistularis de Zarautz
23. Fandango (baile). 2:30. Interpretado por: Banda de Txistularis de Zarautz
24. Arin-Arin (baile). 1:04. Interpretado por: Banda de Txistularis de Zarautz
25. Maritxu, Nora Zoaz? (Maritxu, Where Are You Going?). 2:28
26. Boga, Boga (Row, Row). 3:39
27. Mundu Honetan Ni Bizitzen Naiz (I've Lived in This World). 4:28. Interpretado por: Manuel "Uztapide" Olaziola, Krisostomo Itrurain
28. Ura Eta Lurra (Water and Earth). 3:57. Interpretado por: Manuel "Uztapide" Olaziola
29. Horra, Horra Gure Olentzaro (There's Our Olentzaro). 1:14
30. Abenduko Hilaren Hogeitalauean (On Christmas Eve). 00:50
31. Santa Ageda (Song for Saint Ageda). 2:25
32. Jueves Gordo, Viernes Flaco. 0:37
33. Txoriñua Kaloian (Caged Bird). 0:55. Javier Bello Portu.
34. Hemen Jendea Ondo Bizi Liteke (Here People Can Live Well). 2:22. Pedro Anaito
35. Ezpata Dantza (Sword Dance). 1:27 Interpretado por: Grupo de txistularis de San Sebastian
36. Aita San Miguel Eta Binako. 0:58. Interpretado por: Grupo de txistularis de San Sebastian
37. Makil Dantza. 00:53. Interpretado por: Grupo de txistularis de San Sebastian
38. Biribilketa Eta Irrintzi (Biribilketa With Irrintzi). 1:13. Interpretado por: Grupo de txistularis de San Sebastian