Search - Alan Lomax :: Italian Treasury: Sicily

Paese

Nona | Minnesota, USA | 12/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This music was interesting, to be able to hear the actual songs of the people as they worked in the fields, etc. A little difficult for me to understand due to the sicilian dialect, but still enjoyed it. I am keeping it as a reference for my children to have a piece of their heritage that is this slowing disappearing. Thank you for having recorded it before this happened."

Interesting but somewhat disappointing

Vinnie | 11/05/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was excited to order this CD of traditional Sicilian music after watching a PBS special on Alan Lomax. It's a compilation of music he recorded as a researcher and these songs are priceless as historical artifacts. However, I am disappointed by the selection of music, although I don't know how what he recorded compares to what was included on this CD. There are a few very interesting songs to listen to, but there is not much difference between many of them. Futhermore, this CD includes a relatively long spoken recording of a traditional Sicilian story which is interesting to hear once, but not something you're going to want to listen to over and over again. Being somewhat acquainted with traditional Sicilian music, it's unfortunate that this CD (and maybe his original recording) doesn't include more of a variety. I also ordered his CD of music from Abruzzo and I'm more pleased with that one. Bottom line, if you want to remember Nonna by listening to Sicilian music this CD is probably not for you. If you want to hear some very old, very interesting music that harkens back centuries, get it."