Post by the Scribe on Aug 31, 2023 16:05:01 GMT
Santiago
More than twenty years ago Paddy was introduced to the wonderful music of Galicia by his friend Polig Monjarret. Galicia is a green and hilly region in the northwest corner of Spain, one of the poorest regions in Europe. Galicians speak their own language, and the culture, particularly the music, has more in common with those of Brittany, Wales, Scotland and Ireland than Castille or Andalusia, and was once described as ‘the world’s most undiscovered Celtic country.’
Through the years, after some memorable performances – glorious meetings of musical styles and traditions – with such artists as Galician band Milladoiro and Carlos Nunez, Paddy began to develop a project to recreate and expand on the on stage experience. They were joined onstage in different venues throughout the world by Carlos, recording as they went, sampling the many moods and musical styles of the surrounding cultures, from Breton to Basque, from Asturian to Portuguese and beyond. The Chieftains are also joined by Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos and Eliot Fisk on this album.
Paddy wrote a special piece ‘Galician Overture’ that was originally intended to be 1 minute, but ended up being 7/8 minutes long, and is now a highlight of orchestral preformances. Cuba has a very close relationship with Galicia and the Chieftains spent 2 weeks researching and putting a group of singers and musicians together. They brought Ry Cooder as a featured guest and a number of these singers and musicians became part of Ry’s Buena Vista Social Club, eg Omara Portuondo, Doc Made.
“Santiago’ won a Grammy award for ‘Best World Music’ in 1997.
Track Listing
Pilgrimage to Santiago:
Txalaparta
Arku-Dantza/Arin-Arin
El Besu (The Kiss)
Nao Vas Ao Mar, Toino (Don’t go to the Sea, Toino)
Dum Paterfamilias/Ad Honorem
Duelling Chanters
(Sixpenny Mondy/Polka de Vilagarcia)
Galician Overture
Guadalupe (with Linda Ronstadt and Los Lobos)
Minho Waltz
Setting Sail/Muineira de Frexido
Maneo
Santiago de Cuba (with Ry Cooder)
Galleguita/Tutankhamen (with Ry Cooder)
Tears of Stone
Dublin in Vigo:
Alborada Gallega
Miudiño
Lola
Jackson’s Morning Brush
Muiñeira de Cabana
Muiñeira de Chantada
playlist www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nmRYSqUlOC_CL-eZnGXy6-g9jLtz8jU8o
When the Chieftains' intrepid bandleader, Paddy Moloney, first heard Carlos Núñez, a young recorder and bagpipe virtuoso from a far-flung Celtic outpost in Spanish Galicia, he was mightily intrigued. Santiago explores a tradition that draws on medieval, Spanish, and Celtic sources; the music is performed on instruments that have changed little over the centuries. Núñez represents the home team, while Los Lobos and Linda Ronstadt personify its Central and South American descendants. Elliot Fisk, a pupil of the guitar maestro Andrés Segovia, and Ry Cooder respectfully contribute sparkling riffs. "Dublin in Vigo," a live track with joyous playing and a high-spirited ambiance, is merely one highlight of many. --Christina Roden
The album features collaborations with Carlos Núñez, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, Ry Cooder, Eliot Fisk, Richard Egües, Pancho Amat, Kepa Junkera, Júlio Pereira, (among others). In 1997, the album earned the group the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.
La Virgen de Guadalupe - Linda Ronstadt & Chieftains
“Santiago’ won a Grammy award for ‘Best World Music’ in 1997
Santiago Review by Bob Gottlieb
www.allmusic.com/album/santiago-mw0000080449
Here the Chieftains have embarked upon an exploration of the "lost Celtic province" of Galicia (the northwest corner of Spain) and areas extending to Portugal, the Basque provinces, and Cuba. They have used the finest musicians from these areas to propel their music with a conviction that staggers the imagination. Santiago catapults the listener into a musical excursion that seamlessly flows through the styles and musics of these different lands, so that a beginning and an end can no more be distinguished than the waters of the Mississippi River can be separated from those rivers that flow into it on its journey from its heart to its mouth. Attempting to find album highlights is virtually impossible due to the incredible musicianship displayed by the guests, too numerous to mention, who populate this work. Nevertheless, the opening five-part suite "Pilgrimage to Santiago" is worthy of singling out, with its use of ancient traditional instruments such as the tralaparta (large wooden planks that are laid on baskets and maize leaves and played with sticks) and the participation, in a different section of the suite, of the Ulteria Choir. Another notable track is "Dueling Chanters" with "seventh Chieftain" Carlos Nunez, a Galician gaita player, who had toured with the group for about two years at the time of this recording. As Paddy Moloney on uilleann pipes and Nunez on gaita trade dazzling licks, it is an absolute delight to hear these two, on their cousins to the bagpipes, playing off each other so beautifully.
www.allmusic.com/album/santiago-mw0000080449
Here the Chieftains have embarked upon an exploration of the "lost Celtic province" of Galicia (the northwest corner of Spain) and areas extending to Portugal, the Basque provinces, and Cuba. They have used the finest musicians from these areas to propel their music with a conviction that staggers the imagination. Santiago catapults the listener into a musical excursion that seamlessly flows through the styles and musics of these different lands, so that a beginning and an end can no more be distinguished than the waters of the Mississippi River can be separated from those rivers that flow into it on its journey from its heart to its mouth. Attempting to find album highlights is virtually impossible due to the incredible musicianship displayed by the guests, too numerous to mention, who populate this work. Nevertheless, the opening five-part suite "Pilgrimage to Santiago" is worthy of singling out, with its use of ancient traditional instruments such as the tralaparta (large wooden planks that are laid on baskets and maize leaves and played with sticks) and the participation, in a different section of the suite, of the Ulteria Choir. Another notable track is "Dueling Chanters" with "seventh Chieftain" Carlos Nunez, a Galician gaita player, who had toured with the group for about two years at the time of this recording. As Paddy Moloney on uilleann pipes and Nunez on gaita trade dazzling licks, it is an absolute delight to hear these two, on their cousins to the bagpipes, playing off each other so beautifully.
Top reviews from the United States
Ed Luhrs
5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Sound
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2002
Verified Purchase
Some have berated the Chieftains for not remaining "pure" and sticking to their roots. Why I am not certain. Some of the collaborations have been outstanding, including Santiago. This is an album to cherish, as the northwest of Spain - Galicia and its capital Santiago de Compostela - have an ancient Celtic historical connection. Some online critics have asked if this album truly captures that overall connection. I sense that it sincerely does, and if not, who cares? This sound they've created here creates its own history through its depth of feeling, its energy, and its vision. I recommend it wholeheartedly as a masterpiece among their collaborations, and another gem to check out is Celtic Wedding, in which the Chieftains collaborate with musicians from Brittany. Fire in the Kitchen with Canadian musicians is terrific. Or, if you are looking for a pure Irish collaboration, Water from the Well is fantastic. The Chieftains have plenty to choose from their own catalogue of just-Chieftains-stuff, and it's all good, including the currently out of print Chieftains 5. Thing is, I don't question Paddy Moloney on his work with other musicians. He and the boys have a broad spirit that accepts and celebrates great music of all kinds. Plus, any man who can make his fortune playing a tin whistle and uilleann pipes has a good thing going for him. I'm sure his band mates would agree! Some of their collaborations aren't so inspiring. Santiago is a firecracker. You can play this one from start to finish, as every song here is a reason to rejoice.
Ed Luhrs
5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Sound
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2002
Verified Purchase
Some have berated the Chieftains for not remaining "pure" and sticking to their roots. Why I am not certain. Some of the collaborations have been outstanding, including Santiago. This is an album to cherish, as the northwest of Spain - Galicia and its capital Santiago de Compostela - have an ancient Celtic historical connection. Some online critics have asked if this album truly captures that overall connection. I sense that it sincerely does, and if not, who cares? This sound they've created here creates its own history through its depth of feeling, its energy, and its vision. I recommend it wholeheartedly as a masterpiece among their collaborations, and another gem to check out is Celtic Wedding, in which the Chieftains collaborate with musicians from Brittany. Fire in the Kitchen with Canadian musicians is terrific. Or, if you are looking for a pure Irish collaboration, Water from the Well is fantastic. The Chieftains have plenty to choose from their own catalogue of just-Chieftains-stuff, and it's all good, including the currently out of print Chieftains 5. Thing is, I don't question Paddy Moloney on his work with other musicians. He and the boys have a broad spirit that accepts and celebrates great music of all kinds. Plus, any man who can make his fortune playing a tin whistle and uilleann pipes has a good thing going for him. I'm sure his band mates would agree! Some of their collaborations aren't so inspiring. Santiago is a firecracker. You can play this one from start to finish, as every song here is a reason to rejoice.
