I've come across an album by an Algerian singer named Yelas. Reason I mention it here is that a number of tracks have fiddle and whistle accompaniment in a trad vein - some sound like tunes I recognize, some sound more like vamping in reel and jig style, but it's good stuff, and fits quite well with the songs, which usually doesn't happen with crossover.
The fiddlers are Philippe Briegh and Celine Rivaut, the whistle is Michel Sikiotakis (a Greek playing Irish whistle on a French Algerian record? There's something to this globalization business after all!) Anyone know who they are? I wouldn't mind hearing more from them.
For those of you who like to venture into other bins in the "World Music" section (horrible label, almost as bad as "Celtic Music") it's a pretty good record. The album is called Ifili, the label is Iris, distribution is by Harmonia Mundi.
If I figure out what the tunes are, maybe I'll post it under albums...
Michel Sikiotakis seems to be a fairly regular visitor to Ireland. I've seen him around at festivals. I think he goes to the Tradfest in Ennis every year. From the above it's obvious he doesn't confine his musical talents to any particular genre. More power to him.
Yelas
Yelas
I've come across an album by an Algerian singer named Yelas. Reason I mention it here is that a number of tracks have fiddle and whistle accompaniment in a trad vein - some sound like tunes I recognize, some sound more like vamping in reel and jig style, but it's good stuff, and fits quite well with the songs, which usually doesn't happen with crossover.
The fiddlers are Philippe Briegh and Celine Rivaut, the whistle is Michel Sikiotakis (a Greek playing Irish whistle on a French Algerian record? There's something to this globalization business after all!) Anyone know who they are? I wouldn't mind hearing more from them.
For those of you who like to venture into other bins in the "World Music" section (horrible label, almost as bad as "Celtic Music") it's a pretty good record. The album is called Ifili, the label is Iris, distribution is by Harmonia Mundi.
If I figure out what the tunes are, maybe I'll post it under albums...
# Posted on April 11th 2004 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Yelas
Michel Sikiotakis seems to be a fairly regular visitor to Ireland. I've seen him around at festivals. I think he goes to the Tradfest in Ennis every year. From the above it's obvious he doesn't confine his musical talents to any particular genre. More power to him.
Conán
# Posted on April 13th 2004 by Conán McDonnell