July 07, 2010
The folk ensemble Laiksne has released a new compact disc called Putra. It is the group’s fourth album.
The recording includes rarely heard work songs and tunes performed during social gatherings. The songs are from around Latvia, while one (“Lai iedzeram!”) is from a Latvian colony in Siberia.
Laiksne consists of Lauma Garkalne on voice and violin; Dina Liepa on voice, kokles, violin, mandolin and reed-pipe; Vineta Romāne on voice, mouth harp and comb; Aija Biezaite on voice, mouth harp and accordeon; Baiba Indrēvica on voice, kokles and accordeon; and Kaspars Indrēvics on voice, drums and percussion.
Also appearing on the album are Gatis Gaujenieks on voice, bass, ģīga, mandolin, domra (a Russian string instrument) and mouth harp, as well as Matīss Biezatis on voice.
Tracks on the compact disc include:
- Aleksandrs
- Putra
- Oi, Dīveņi
- Alutiņ, bāleliņ
- Lai iedzeram!
- Šiškin miškin
- Mēness spīd aiz pirts
- Dzāruojs puika
- Jauna meita
- Man tīšām karā juoīt
- Kupla līpa
- Tolka
- Vokars īt
- Pār upīti
- Kā mēs putru vārījām
The last track, “Kā mēs putru vārījām,” is just a series of outtakes from the recording session and really was not necessary.
The album was released by the cultural management center Lauska. Previous Laiksne albums include Kyukoja dzegyuze (2001), Jānu nakti zelta rasa (2002) and Es jauna būdama (2003).
For more on Laiksne, visit the ensemble’s website, www.laiksne.lv.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.
