Fiji: Songs of Love and Homeland: String Band Music

From island villages of Fiji in the Melanesian South Pacific, the songs known as sere ni cumu are music of a special time and place. These 1986 recordings represent social songs that brought life and togetherness to the beer- or kava-drinking gatherings of the 1920s and beyond. Drawing from pre-European texts and music styles, as well as European melodies and harmonies and ukulele and guitar accompaniment, they mark the sound of Fiji village life of their era. 58 minutes, 22-page notes.

Track Listing

101	Kauti Au Ena Vakacegu (Lead me gently to my resting place) Vatulawa Trio	03:09
102	Isa Lei Ko Iteni (Beautiful Eden) Vatulawa Trio	04:00
103	Luvuci Au (I am touched with grief) Vatulawa Trio	04:03
104	Lewe Kei na Sui (Flesh and bone) Vatulawa Trio	03:47
105	Na Tagi na Rarawa (Your tears of sorrow) Vatulawa Trio	04:12
106	Marama (Ladies) Vatulawa Trio	02:07
107	Unaisi Kautoga Vatulawa Trio	03:17
108	Au Mai Kidavaki (You welcome me) Vatulawa Trio	02:30
109	Sa Rogo Levu na Noqu Vanua (My land was famous) Baidamudamu village group	04:01
110	Ko Lomaloma (Lomaloma) Vuna village group	02:22
111	Noqu Vanua (My island) Solovola village group	05:52
112	Au Bau Via Talanoa (I want to tell a story) Naselesele village group	03:02
113	Ko Droka na Bogi (The night masquerader) Dreketi (Qamea) village group	02:21
114	Au na Viriya (I will build) Caucau ni na Somo group	03:24
115	Ni Rogoca Mada na Noqu i Talanoa (Please hear my story) Baidamudamu village group	02:34
116	Turaga ni Nanumi Viti (Lord remember Fiji) Caucau ni Delai Tabana	02:45
117	Ke Ko Dovu (If you were sugarcane) Waica village group	01:21
118	Talanoa ni Noqu Koro (Story of my village) Vuna village band	03:45