Customer Reviews

Gold From Wax: Ethiopian Urban & Tribal Music

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD combines the work of wonderful artists. For anyone who is searching for a CD that is totally local, tribal, and that contains very exotic music, here it is. I personally own a copy of this CD, and I must say how enjoyable it is to hear real Ethiopian Music. For some people who are not used to tribal music, this CD may feel a little to repetitive or somewhat difficult to hear through it entirely, perhaps due to its monophonic melody. I have for years heard this type of material and I must say I enjoy it tremendously, and therefore this is the reason why I chose to give a 5 stars. I have enjoyed this CD since the day I bought it, and to this day, have not tired myself with this music that is so genuine and pure in its content, and that expresses the beauty that lies within a country like Ethiopia.

This CD presents the ancient musical traditions of the Ethiopian tribes that have never entered the main stream of the Ethiopian music scene. The songs of the Afar, the Anuak, the Oromo and other. There is only one (amazing !) song by an Amhara and none by a Tigry. The diversity of sounds within one country is unusual. For me this is a library of rhythms and sounds that is thrilling and enlightening. This music is primal - earthly and unsophisticated. This must be how we all sounded 2,000 years ago. I must single out Mary Armeede's long and beautiful song, Fano. Her voice and Krar playing is full of emotion and musicianship in a way rarely heard these days. These recordings from 1971 are a must for every fan of original tribal music and/or Ethiopian music.

I don't doubt the authenticity of these selections, but having just returned from a month in all of Ethiopia (as a tourist), I am afraid I wasn't exposed to much in the way of "real" Ethopian tribal music; therefore, I found the results (I purchased the album to accompany my DVD showing of photos)to be more vocal than instrumental selections - which for my purposes - would have been preferred.