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.