Customer Reviews

World Library Of Folk & Primitive Music, Vol. 4: Spain

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A week ago, I checked this CD out at the library. Prior to hearing this CD, I had grown up on Mexican music and that was the extent of my knowledge as far as Hispanic or Spanish music went. I passed off Spanish music as being dull; nothing more than fandangos and castanetas. But after hearing this tiny collection, my taste for Spanish music had developed. In fact, this collection is so good, that I had to ... purchase a copy of it for myself.

This collection gives the listener a prime example of, as the title suggests, primitive music. Some of the tracks were actually recorded while the women were working in the fields. One song is nothing more but flax being beaten against a stone with a young man singing along. But despite this simplicity, the music is complicated, intricate, and varied. It is also an interesting listen because I never had a clue as to how many other cultures influenced Spanish music. Some songs sound Arabian, others French, and a few even have a bagpiper playing along.

If you don't have the money to actually purchase the CD, at least listen to a few of the song clips; primarily the Galician 'Foliada', Asturia's 'De los tres colores, madre'and the standout track 'Jota manchega' from Castile. Though hearing the clips will suffice, it is desirable to get the CD to read Alan Lomax's AMAZING and detailed notes on every song.

When I first heard this CD as a senior in high school, it gripped me to the point that I actually did a major research paper on ancient Spanish music. Lomax covers the entirety of Spain, including the Basque country, which is what got me to first rent this album from the library and then buy a copy of my own. The songs he put on this recording are haunting and beautiful - - there are songs influenced by everything from Moorish reign, to Jewish infusion, to Communist climb. Every music lover deserves this album.