Italian Folk Music, Vol. 5: Naples and Campania

Collected and edited by Alan Lomax, this album presents southern Italian folk music of Campania and the region's capital, Naples. The area reflects Italy's rich cultural history; invaders and more peaceful visitors have all left their mark. For example, one of the traditional Italian tarantellas on the album features instruments such as castanets (Greek), clackers and scrapers (Moorish), accordion (German), and guitar (Spanish). Other recordings that will make an impression on listeners are the operatic cries of street vendors, verses of porters and muleteers, village choruses, and a shepherd on his bagpipes. Liner notes include background information on the region, the songs, and song lyrics and their English translations.

Track Listing

101	Amore, ca ce struje	Municipal artisan orchestra and chorus, Piazzetta di Capri	03:40
102	I'tengh' all'aqui	Street vendor in Naples	01:20
103	Carmela	Neapolitan singer, acoustic guitarist	03:09
104	Jew's Harp Solo	A porter in the village of Positano	01:27
105	Scarola riccia	Group of porters and muleteer, Positano	03:43
106	A volta paese	A porter and his friends, Positano	01:36
107	La pizzica	Group of North African singers and percussionists, Pagani	02:00
108	Ballinello (Little Dance)	Accordion player with dancers, San Arsenio, Salerno	01:37
109	La bella Caterina (The Beautiful Catherine)	Workers chorus with soloist and accordion, San Arsenio, Salerno	02:19
110	Nonna nonna	Chiarina Pepe	01:27
201	E lo ve', lo ve', lo ve' (Look at Her, Look at Her, Look at Her)	Male chorus with bagpipe and oboe, Caggiano, Salerno	03:10
202	Tu scendi dalle stelle (You Come from the Stars)	Oboist and bagpiper, Caggiano, Salerno	06:03
203	Ros'e argende	Mixed chorus of workers, Montemariano di Avellino	01:59
204	Tarantella (Accordion, Tambourine and Castanets)	Salcatore Gambale and Giovanni Marino	02:06
205	Song of the Pilgrims to Monte Vergine	Mixed chorus of workers, Montemariano di Avellino	02:11
206	Mulateer's Song	Raffaele Idla	01:47
207	Wedding Serenade	Wedding serenaders, Montecalvo	01:31
208	Tu rondinella (You, Swallow)	Three seventeen year old girls, Molise	02:08
209	Tarantella (Accordion and Handclapping)	Accordion player with handclapping, Letino, Caserta	01:25
210	Zesa Viola	Artisan musicians, singers, and theater players, Avellino	07:35