April 26, 2008
Saliņš’ album not just another collection of beer songs
Laila Saliņš has recorded an album of ballads and drinking songs called Saskandinot. But if you think this is just another collection of Latvian folk songs about beer, you will be in for a surprise and maybe even a shock.
The 12-track album, released on the Ancient Records label, won’t have you singing along. Instead, you will be listening intensely, perhaps trying to figure out whether you like this stuff or not. The Massachusetts-based Saliņš, who on her MySpace page describes her life as “traversing the diverse musical worlds of chamber music, folk music, opera, art-rock and music theater,” brings to the album an eclectic range of melodies—as well as an impressive vocal range. Some songs are based on traditional folk tunes. Two songs put to music the poetry of her father, Gunārs Saliņš.
Appearing on the album are several musicians, including Jim Matus, who plays the laouto, a lute-like instrument common to Greece.
Saskandinot received support from the American Latvian Association’s Cultural Foundation.
The album is available in compact disc and MP3 formats from CD Baby and as a digital download from DigStation.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.
The article may be found online at http://latviansonline.com/index.php/music/article/4066/
© 1995-2008 Latvians Online
Latvians Online is a global Internet meeting place for persons of all ages with an interest in Latvians and Latvia. Editor: Andris Straumanis. Contributing editor: Amanda Jātniece. Advertising and marketing manager: Daina Gross. Technical director: Arnis Gross. Disclaimer: The content of Web sites to which Latvians Online provides links does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Latvians Online, its staff or its sponsors.