The Bottom Line
Not for everyone, but a fascinating listen for those interested in the music of Greek festivals and the real sounds of Greece.
Pros
- Highly unusual
- One of the few sources of live festival music
- Nice descriptive booklet with lots of photos
Cons
- Some tracks are only goat or sheep bells, beloved by some but not all visitors to Greece
- Listeners may miss balanced "mix" of instuments
- Some may find gaida bagpipes discordant
Description
- "Belled Goats of Assiros" & "Belled Sheep of Dorkas" are just that.
- Things pick up with "New Year at Sohos".
- "Taverna Party at Nikisiani" is the most listenable track.
- Eastern flavor may not sound "Greek" enough for some.
- Musicians include Zissis Hindzos, Aristidis and Yiannis Dramalis.
Guide Review - Bells & Winter Festivals of Greek Macedonia
This CD is part of the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings series and was recorded by Steven Feld during Christmas and New Year's 2000-2001. Unlike other collections, it is extremely up-to-date, listening in on the living traditions in these villages. The CD is a companion piece ot the book "Bright Balkan Morning: Romani Lives and the Power of Music in Greek Macedonia" which explores the lives of settled Rom families in Iraklia.
If you miss the sounds of Greece as much as the beautiful vistas and great food, this CD can be a soothing if temporary antidote for being homesick - for someplace that may not even be home.
