Traditional Music of Peru, Vol. 6: The Ayacucho Region

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Raul Romero (Compilation)
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Includes liner notes in English and Spanish by Maria Eugenia Ulfe. Recording information: Alcamenca (08/22/1995-02/??/1998); Alcamenca, Victor Fajardo Province (08/22/1995-02/??/1998); Andamarca (08/22/1995-02/??/1998); Cabana Sur, Lucanas Province (08/22/1995-02/??/1998); Sarhua (08/22/1995-02/??/1998). Editor: Carla Borden. Translator: Jose Cardenas. While mostly of interest to ethnomusicologists, there's a lot to be gleaned from this recording, the first from the Peruvian Andean region since the fighting there in the '80s and '90s. Sung in the native Quechua language, the disc focuses on the festival cycle, the marking of the animals ceremony, music of the life cycle, and the festival of water -- all celebrations that take place during the year, as they have for many years, and often relate to events in the Christian calendar. "Belenes," for example, happens on January 6, the traditional 12th night of Christmas, while "Chunchos" coincides with the Festival of the Crosses on May 3. Musically, it's inevitably guitars and local charangos (a small ten-string guitar) that often dominate, with the vocals sometimes eerily high and almost unworldly. It's certainly not background listening, especially with some tracks, like "Song to Wankar or Tinya," running less than a minute, being little more than snatches. The quality of the field recordings is excellent and the songs themselves can have a wonderfully lyrical quality. Even if the entire disc isn't for everyone, almost everybody will find at least something enjoyable -- and certainly fascinating -- here. ~ Chris Nickson

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