Love Songs

This album, compiled in 1996, features 17 love songs from the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music. Expressing many hues of this universal emotion, the musical performances range from solo voice to instrumental, and include traditional forms that have all but vanished, as well as those that have been influenced by modern technology. Consider three tracks to illustrate: “Lam Sithandone” (track 1) is a courtship song performed in southern Laos. Lams feature one set of singers challenging another set and can last for hours; the excerpt on this recording is only the end of one lam. “Bar’ah” (“Dance of Youth,” track 9) is a participatory dance popular among the young people of southern Oman. Although a traditional music style, this performance reflects the influence of television and electronic technology. From Greece, “Ali kaimeni mu kardia” (“My Poor Heart,” track 11) documents a vocal tradition whose carriers have since passed away.

Track Listing

101	Laos: Lam Sithandone	Thao Sikhone, Nang Sikhone, Thao Salitat	04:29
102	Cambodia: Phléng Néang Lot	The Pinpeat Orchestra of Siemreap-Angkor, conducted by Prach Chhuon	01:46
103	Hong Kong: Chiang ho shui (Widow Mourning beside the Murmuring River)	Tsung Seung, Wong Kuen	05:16
104	Japan (Ainu Songs): Chisi-sinotcha	Teru Nishizama	02:18
105	Mongolia: Oudzesghelent Altaï (Üzesgelent Altaj)	Möntöö and Darsüren	02:52
106	Byelorussia: Comic Love Songs	Anna Vengoora, Christina Doroshevich, Tatiana Safronova, Serafina Petrova, Aksinya Targonya	01:57
107	Ukraine: Oh, Thou with the Curly Locks, Do Not Leave Me	Uliana Kot	01:40
108	Afghanistan (Herât): Âsheq manam Laili	Gholâm Nabi Zendadel, Gada Mohammad	03:16
109	Oman: Bar'ah	The firqat Khalfan, during a nathar ceremony in Mirbat, Southern region	03:48
110	Kurdish Music: Lo delal sherin hayat	Said Hassan, Mohammaed Ali Te'djo	03:52
111	Greece: Ali kaimeni mu kardia (Tabakhaniotiko)	Dimitris Kukas (Barba Mitsos)	02:50
112	Norway: Homslien, gangar	Vidar Lande	02:29
113	Portugal: A Nossa Rua (Our Street) - Lisbon fado	Maria Teresa de Noronha, Raul Nery, Joaquim do Vale, Joel Pina	03:35
114	Morocco: Ya Hbibi malek sahi	Abdeslam Cherkaoui	05:12
115	Malawi: Mazoma-Mphini	Nyanja men and women, Chingondo village	04:35
116	Central African Republic: Piere	Two Gbaya men	03:09
117	Niger (Region of Tera): Kompule	Fulani singer and musicians, Téra Department, Niger	03:07