Portugal: Festas in Minho

These 1998 on-site recordings of two pilgrimages in northwestern Portugal capture the rich and varied music of the streets, squares, and pilgrimage sites of the Minho region at the end of the 20th century. Percussion ensembles, brass bands, intricate poetry and sung poetic competitions, concertina and stringed instrument-based ensembles, and the strong sound of women’s voices are all characteristic of this region of Portugal. Recorded and annotated by Portuguese scholars whose album notes provide background information and translations for many of the songs. 58 minutes, 30-page notes. Previously unreleased.

Track Listing

101	Vira (Dance) n/a	03:28
102	Gota de Meadela (Dance of Meadela, excerpt) n/a	01:36
103	Zés-Pereiras (Snare and Bass Drum Ensemble, excerpt) n/a	03:44
104	Gota de Covas (Dance of Covas) Nelson Pereira (Nelson Vilarinho) (b. 1929)	01:53
105	Gota de Gondarém (Dance of Gondarém) Lopes de Areosa	03:37
106	Cantares ao Desafio (Sung Poetic Competition, excerpt) Augusto Gonçalves and Manuel	03:50
107	Rosinha (Dance) Armando Santos and Manuel de Rebordela	01:30
108	Luisinha (Song) n/a	07:48
109	Vira (Dance) Armando Santos and Manuel de Rebordela	01:42
110	Cantares ao Desafio (Sung Poetic Competition, excerpt) Augusto Gonçalves and José Loureiro	03:36
111	Marcha: Saudação a Mateus (March, excerpt) Banda Filarmónica de Barroselas	00:57
112	Marcha (March, excerpt) Fanfarra dos Escuteiros da Meadela	02:40
113	Rosalinda (Song) n/a	02:50
114	Cana Verde (Dance) n/a	01:35
115	Cantares ao Desafio (Sung Poetic Competition, excerpt) n/a	02:43
116	Vira (Dance) Nelson Pereira (Nelson Vilarinho) (b. 1929)	04:56
117	Vira (Dance, excerpt) n/a	05:52
118	Bombos (Bass Drum Ensemble, excerpt) n/a	03:56