Customer Reviews

Traditional Andean Folk Songs

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

 

 

I've been playing andean music professionally for many years and have a vast collection of Andean music cds. I have to say that this compilation is the best I own and the best I've ever heard. I do admit that the title of this album is misleading. The pieces recorded in this CD are not really traditional folk songs, but a collection of contemporary songs written and performed by some of the best andean musicians of today.
Andean music is an ancient but evolving artform and it's very refreshing to see that there is collections like this one that exposes people to quality recordings by quality contemporary artists.

there are no obvious tunes (like El Condor Pasa) ,yet whilst hearing them it feels like i'm listening to a classic traditional. the mood is yurning despite some having a touch of fun. they are very well-played (+ recorded).alot of Peruvian/Bolivian cd's give over-prominence to the pan-flutes.this cd doesn't make the mistake of thinking that the guitar-like instrument having good volume will take away from the pan-flutes' ability to hook u. infact, this cd has a perfect balance from bass thru middle-pitch to treble. (some tracks have underlying voices, which is pleasantly spooky) well-structured collection of beautiful yurning tunes.

I got this CD about 4 years ago (from Amazon no less!).
It quickly became one of my favourites.
Im more into hard rock and metal, but this CD has an honoury position in my collection.
The instruments themselves (very well played) and the actual compositions (very well written) share a similar kind of beauty.
Its wild, deep, playful and wise. Its really soothing to listen to. It creates that feeling that the music is something tangiable you can lie back into and just let it gently massage the knots out of your mind. Theres so much complexity to it, but it has a certain warmth and modesty that means you can pay as much attention or as little attention to whats going on and still really unwind to it and enjoy it.
If you are looking for some good andean music, get this CD - it is really really wholesomely good and authentic.
Its tracklisting ranges from minimalistic flute solos that conjour up images of still pools of water among huge mossy gorges, to fast paced foot stompers (albeit relaxing foot stompers) that make you feel like your bounding through a wood full of life on the back of a big friendly brown bear.
At least that the sort of thing I tend to imagine when I hear it. Dont ask why *shrugs*
:)

I found this CD rather disappointing.
I personally prefer the quena flutes to the more common Andean panflutes or sikus but alas there were too few track featuring those marvellous quenas.
So for anyone interested in the Andean Musical instruments
I would not recomend this CD