a r t i s t : Llangres
t i t l e : Esnalar
d a t e : 2005
l a b e l : Independent
g e n r e : Folk
r l s. d a t e : Jun/2006
t r a c k s : 12
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 84,4 MB
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Asturias, a mountainous region just east of Galicia along the
coast of the Bay of Biscay, is another of the marvels of
Iberian culture and music. The quintet Llangres hails from
Asturias, and Esnalar ("To Fly"), their second release,
demonstrates their unique Asturian take on Celtic music,
continuing with a staggering array of instruments, and adding
vocalist Esther Fonseca. This addition brings the structure of
Esnalar more into the mold of contemporary-traditional Celtic
music from the British Isles, with instrumental medleys
strategically interspersed with vocal songs.
"Pe±arrubia" starts the recording off running, gaita and flute
in a tight fugue with a characteristically Celtic long melody,
parsing differently when bodhran and bouzouki enter. The title
track, pleasant and winsomely longing, introduces Fonseca's
light vocal, no threat to the primacy of Llangres'
instrumental performance, which shines in a sprightly reel
above insistent percussion in the center of the tune. "Rφu
Verdi" begins as a very traditional jig on flute, before
bodhran and gaita send it into overdrive, an effect similar to
switching to color from black-and-white, and seeming to speed
up near the end as the melody switches from triplets to
common-time, an exciting and well-conceived medley. "La
Carbona" begins as a bouncy waltz on Yago Prado's Celtic harp,
Fonseca's vocal by turns breathless and calm, the instrumental
center in an energized break-beat.
"La Pastorina" is a wonderful surprise, hollow picked bouzouki
and jazzy organ leading into a wavering melody on Barja
Baraga±o's gaita, strummed guitar and percussion maintaining
the jazzy atmosphere while melodies spin out in uniquely
Spanish joyful exuberance. The sound changes abruptly in
"Soscobiu," a slow air featuring fiddle and guitar, breaking
into an accelerating flute melody with tinkling harp
accompaniment, ending in a percussion-driven gallop.
"Carolina" begins with the high drama of a long fiddle and
flute introduction above nervously chorded bouzouki, Fonseca
really hitting stride with a bright vocal. "La Inariega"
couldn't be more different, a gentle, swinging common-time
melody in unison on fiddle and gaita. Fonseca's vocal is
fragile yet precise on the jaunty waltz "Vientu d'Adios."
Esnalar demonstrates growth and development of Llangres'
instrumental excellence since their debut recording "Stura."
The vocals of Esther Fonseca, while pleasant and competent,
are not on the same level as the instrumental performances,
but in no sense detract from the enjoyment of the recording. -
Jim Foley
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01-Pe±arrubia [03:51]
02-Esnalar [05:29]
03-Riu Verdi [04:50]
04-La Carbonera [04:43]
05-La Pastorina [04:42]
06-Soscobiu [03:32]
07-Carolina [04:53]
08-La Inariega [05:16]
09-Vientu D'adios [04:13]
10-Rondes [05:18]
11-Pasu L'eo [03:38]
12-Memoria De Los Carbayos [04:03]
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54:28 min