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The music of Euskal Herriko, the Basque country

A nation within nations, this region has produced both incredible folk tradtitions and dynamic innovators, and here is a small but I think interesting introductory catalog of the music that includes very traditional roots and some unusual new routes.

Liverpool - Gernika - Jaber Muguruza and L.I.P.A - 13.99

Nömadak Tx (Spanish edition w/ 2 CDs) - Oreka Tx - 24.99
This is the original Nomadak TX 2 CD set released Basque by the ensemble in Spain. "...a brilliant project - more the spiritual and musical heir to Junkera's Maren... the duo visit with nomad musicians in a variety of countries ­ Mongolia, India, Morocco, a Western Saharan refugee camp in Algeria, and Scandinavia and the result is an unforgettable visual and musical experience, somewhere between Baraka, Latcho Drom, and Buena Vista Social Club. In their travels, they create txalapartak (the plural form) out of ice, stone and wood, showing the many possibilities of their ancient instrument. In doing so, they form global links of friendship between small and marginalized peoples. Oreka TX meet with and perform with a diverse array of musicians, many with traditions as old and unknowable as that of the txalaparta itself. Basque instruments such as the alboka mix with singers and musicians of many lands. - David Cox, RootsWorld - There is a Single CD collection also available
Duo - Bidaia - 13.99
Basque composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Mixel Ducau and Californian singer-songwriter and hurdy-gurdy player Caroline Phillips come back for their second recording as Bidaia, now a duo, with a repertoire that includes original compositions and traditional Basque songs. The Basque alboka and ttun-ttun are combined with acoustic guitar, hurdy-gurdy and bamboo clarinet to offer a strong second look at their original approach to the tradition.
Xacobeo '04 - Various artists - 15.99
An imaginary and musical journey down the legendary Camino de Santiago brings together artists from many parts of Spain and Portugal (and a sidetrip to France). This collection includes performances by Na Lúa, Pancho Alvarez, Kepa Junkera, La Musgaña, Bagad Kemper, Rodrigo Romaní , Alboka and Gaiteiros De Lisboa.
Lapurtar koblariak - Pantxoa eta Peio - 16.99
Two great Basque singers, Peio Ospital and Pantxoa Carrere, sing themes from the province of Lapurdi
Lurra eta maitasuna - Pantxoa eta Peio - 16.99
Two great Basque singers, Peio Ospital and Pantxoa Carrere, sing of the opposing emotions of being Basque: the desire to be a peacemaker at home in his land and the struggle to be recognized as a people.
Airea - Ibon Koteron - 16.99
The master of the Basque alboka a daring and unusual concept album that offers this simple yet powerful reed instrument in a wild array of presentations and settings. It focuses on reeds not only from Spain, but from around the world: the duduk of Armenia, the liru and mänkeri of Finland, the launeddas of Italy and la tsambouna (the skin of a goat with all the orifices and legs sealed except for two, similar to a bagpipe in sound). Produced by Kepa Junkera, it features a great supporting cast including Gilles Chabenat, ETXAK, Iñaki Plaza and Ruben Isasi, Kepa Junkera, Roston Kuchichian, Heikki Syrjänen, Pekka Westerholm, Faltriqueira, Ruper Ordorika, Soledona and Andrea Pisu.
Amaraun - Amaraun - 16.99
Amaraun is a band from Durango; its members define the music as 'a spider´s web ('amaraun' in Basque) that we have spun with the threads of tradition and creation, using the tools of jazz and the freedom that improvisation always offers.' The oboe is the soloist instrument of this quartet, joined by drums, bass and piano.
Lau Anaiak - Alboka - 16.99
Basque accordionist Joxan Goikoetxea and Irish multi-instrumentalist Alan Griffin (whistle, gaita, alboka, flutes) are Alboka. On this 2004 release they present instrumentals and songs, some based on old traditionas and some originals, all acoustic and decidely contemporary.
Karidadeko Benta - Karidadeko Benta - 17.99
Manic Basque roots music led by 'bertsolari' vocalist Jon Maia and a band of clarinets, trumpet, saxophone, oud, guitars and percussion
Kalejira Al-Buk (1994) - Kepa Junkera - 14.99
Triki up - Kepa Junkera, Zabaleta eta Imanol - 16.99
 Big band trikitixa from the most famed Basque accordionists around, Kepa Junkera, and his co-conspiritors Inaki Zabaleta (trikitixa) and Imanol Urkizi (panderoa), backed by a full blown band of electric guitars, drums, bass, saxophone, harmaonica, and more.
Eguzki begi - Laja eta Mikel - 16.99
Triki accordionist Iñaki Garmendia 'Laja' and panderista Mikel Alustiza in their 2002 release of Basque folk music
Sentitzen naiz - Maixa - 16.99
Basque singer and her small band (piano, guitars, accordion, bass and drums) produce a sweet, simple folk-pop sound.
Landalan - Oskorri - 16.99
1995 recording by this most famous Basque ensemble
The Pub Ibiltaria 4 - Oskorri and the Pub Ibiltaria - 16.99
Volume 4 of the well-loved sing-along series of Basque music- 2CD set includes a book with lyrics to song along with
Pub Ibiltaria 6 - Oskorri and the Pub Ibiltaria - 16.99
the Pub Ibiltaria 7 - Oskorri and the Pub Ibiltaria - 15.99
The 2003 production of this well-loved sing-along series of Basque music
The Pub Ibiltaria 10 - Oskorri - 16.99
 Continuing its musical adventure, Oskorri presents the live recording of the concert given at Pío Baroja square of Bilbao on 21 December 2005. This is the tenth album that the band dedicates to Basque popular music. As in previous releases, the work includes the lyrics and scores of each song
Quebec - Joseba Tapia - 16.99
Under the title, Québec, hamalau kantu independentziarako (Québec, 14 Songs of Independence), Tapia transports us to a little singing club, all with arrangements for live playing with violin, bass, guitar and Basque (diatonic) accordion. Joseba Tapia's voice reflects the concerns of a people, their joys and their anguishes. The CD, the insert and of course, the music, come out in a very state-of-the-art and elegant presentation. Arranged and prduced by Pascal Gaigne.
Ero - Tapia eta Leturia - 15.99
Avril - Achiary, Lopez and de Ezcurra - 19.99
Beñat Achiary, Ramon Lopez and Philippe de Ezcurra took a long time to forge their complicity through various art projects on stage or on disc, at in groups or duos in the Basque Country and elsewhere. On a night in October 2004, the trio finally met near Langon, gave its first public concert. Three days of studio,and a few more live recordings captured these moments of poetry. This first disc reflects the unique and artistic aspirations Beñat Achiary, rooted in the language and the traditional singing of the Basque Country, inhabited by poetry, jazz and improvisation. It also shows the talent of Ramon Lopez and Philip de Ezcurra, their fusion and osmosis with Beñat and their celebration of improvisation.
de ayer manana - Eliseo Parra - 17.99
Eliseo Parra has been rewriting the folk music of Spain for a long time now, imbuing the folklore and traditions of the Iberian Peninsula, the forgotten lore and ancient music, and revitalizing it with his own special sense of modernity. He sings in Castilian, Catalan, Galician and Basque on de ayer mañana (from yesterday, tomorrow), joined by stellar musicians including members of Alboka and Josean Goikoetxea.
Nömadak Tx - Oreka Tx - 17.99
"...a brilliant project - more the spiritual and musical heir to Junkera's Maren... the duo visit with nomad musicians in a variety of countries ­ Mongolia, India, Morocco, a Western Saharan refugee camp in Algeria, and Scandinavia and the result is an unforgettable visual and musical experience, somewhere between Baraka, Latcho Drom, and Buena Vista Social Club. In their travels, they create txalapartak (the plural form) out of ice, stone and wood, showing the many possibilities of their ancient instrument. In doing so, they form global links of friendship between small and marginalized peoples. Oreka TX meet with and perform with a diverse array of musicians, many with traditions as old and unknowable as that of the txalaparta itself. Basque instruments such as the alboka mix with singers and musicians of many lands." - David Cox, RootsWorld - NOTE: this is the single CD US release (no extra CD or DVD) - Listen
Basque Fire - Betagarri - 14.99
Basque ensemble performs an energetic, regional version of ska, punk, rock.
Korrontzi - Korrontzi - 14.99
Modern basque folk music. Accordion, mandolin, acoustic guitar, bass, alboka, txistu, drums and percussions) and guests include Aritza Bergara-Iker Diez (txalaparta). The CD also contains a short film by Inaz Fernández and Carlos Juárez, about the lives of the old accordion players (trikitilari).
Oihan - Bidaia - 17.99
An innovative, all-acoustic ensemble from Basque Spain offers a unique and creative vision for both their local roots and the greater world beyond. It's a highly modal experience, driven primarily by vpoices and traditional Basque instruments - alboka, ttun-ttun (an instrument similar to a zither, but played with a stick as a percuussive effect), combined with acoustic guitar, piano, hurdy-gurdy, Moroccan darbouka and Andalusian cajon.
Solisterrae - Pascal Gaigne - 17.99
While there are references to Galician, Euskadi, French and other folk musical cultures, this is a purely contemporary, creative work performed by an ensemble of musicians of renowned skills; primarily acoustic ensembles of guitars, percussion, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, strings, flutes, harp, zither, and piano.
Abenduak 29 - Jabier Muguruza - 17.99
The 2005 release by this Basque songwriter and singer offers fragile vocals, a gentle, almost disappearing accompaniment on guitar, accordion and other small instruments. Muguruza has been described as 'a cantautor of infinite gentleness,' 'a tenuous voice that modulates with subtlety... lyrics fly with the fine irony of the mundane" and 'an ironic, subtle and intensely poetic vision.' This is gentle, simple pop music in the mold of Gil and Veloso.
Enegarren postala - Jabier Muguruza - 14.99
This pop recording from Basque Spain sits on the border between folk-ballad and schmaltz, I know, but this is just such a great voice that I am willing to forgive the sometimes overly-lush production just a bit. Muguruza has been described as 'a cantautor of infinite gentleness' by El Periódico. El País de las Tentaciones says he has a tenuous voice that modulates with subtlety and the lyrics fly with the fine irony of the mundane. And El Pais says 'it is an ironic, subtle and intensely poetic vision.'
The Spanish Recordings: Basque Country: Biscay and Guipuzcoa - Lomax Recordings - 16.99
These rare recordings offer improvised sung poetry in the ancient Basque language - deep-voiced fishermen's harmonies and clear women's voices from the valleys and mountains - as well as the sounds of the region's traditional alboka horn, pipe and drum ensembles, and the irrintzi, the reverberating cry that marked the culmination of Alan Lomax's sojourn in Spain. Recorded in 1952 by Alan Lomax and Jeanette Bell. Remastered to 24-bit digital from the original field recordings.
Spanish Recordings: Basque Country: Navarre - Lomax Recordings - 16.99
Sung poetry in the ancient Basque language as well as the sounds of the Navarrese jotas, pipe and drum ensembles, and the irrintzi, the reverberating cry that marked the culmination of Alan Lomax's sojourn in Spain. Recorded by Alan Lomax and Jeannette Bell. Remastered to 24-bit digital from the original field recordings.

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