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Written in Folk Roots issue 46, 1987


MILLADOIRO
Solfafria
CBS (Spain) S26395 (1985)

Fine tradition-based music like this can do a great deal for the image and self-esteem of a regional culture; the Chieftains, for example (whose Paddy Moloney plays on one track of this album) are often treated as Irish ambassadors. Channel 4's recently-repeated How To Be Celtic series used Milladoiro as representative of Galician music, a role they filled well, though their instrumentation is wider than the regional tradition provides, and shows strong influences from the revival ensembles of other European countries. Nevertheless, the heart of the band's sound and arrangements is excellent playing of gaitas and harp; no shallow ethnic veneer, this, but the real thing. Milladoiro, like the Chieftains and other leading Irish bands, or parallels in other countries, are a good introduction to their country's traditional music, but, more than that, they are a continuing development of it.
      On its last visit here the group played Pontardawe and Edinburgh, to my knowledge; it's about time some other enlightened promoters offered enough dates to make a tour, supported by easier availability of the albums over here. This one wasn't sent for review; I bought it in Collets, who would probably like to be prevailed upon to get hold of some more, including at least some of the previous three excellent releases.

     
© 1987 Andrew Cronshaw
 

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