Some of America's greatest traditional blues masters get together at home to swap songs from the old days and stories of what those days were like, when blues flourished 'back down home' at country breakdowns, corn-shuckings and houseparties. These musicians and their friends create the lively spirit of houseparty blues, while conveying the values, the history, the good and bad times, and the sense of community that gave form to their music and dance (Blurb by Dick Spottswood)
A collection of five authentic dances in the Khmer court repertoire, performed in traditional costume by masters of these dances. The narration provides excellent historical background as introduction to each dance. The dances are filmed so that in each solo and group dance, the hands, feet, and body movements can be seen clearly.
The accompanying traditional music is performed by the Pinn Peat Ensemble , including instruments such as shawms, xylophones, gongs, barrel, drums, metallophone, and small cymbals.
An excellent introduction to the dances of the ancient royal court of Cambodia. The film was produced in conjunction with the Khmer Studies Institute California State University, Northridge.
El Charanguero is a documentary about Argentine musician Jamie Torres , the world's foremost performer on the charango (a small stringed Andean instrument) and a national treasure of Argentina. The intimate friendship between the producer and the artist offers a privileged and authentic inside view of the culture and music never before available on video. Viewers from all walks of life will appreciate and be enriched by this timeless and universal program.
The hour-long documentary features a never-before recorded ritual to Pachamama (Mother Earth) by the indigenous people of the Quebrada (a mountainous region of northern Argentina), dances and music performed on traditional instruments, and the history of the charango, as well as dramatic concert footage.
This is a spirited visit to some of the old dances in New England and with the callers and musicians who make them happen. It features Phil Johnson calling squares in Lebanon, Maine with the Maple Sugar Band; John Campbell and Norman MacEachern at the Canadian American Victory Club in Watertown, MA; William Chaisson and Joe Cormier at the French American Victory Club in Waltham, MA; and Arcade Richard and Victor Albert in Leominster, MA, doing quadrilles; and Charlie Mitchell at the Blue Goose in Northport, Maine, doing contra dances.
Alan Lomax said this film "takes us past the solemn facade of clambakes and town meetings into a lively world of all night dances and local musicians who could have helped Daniel Webster play down the devil".
The film includes performances of seven of the finest traditional musicians in the Northeast including Joe Cormier, Jerry Robichaud, Ben Guillemette, Paddy Cronin, Wilfred Guillette, Harold Luce, and Ron West playing in their lively and distinct Acadian, Irish, Cape Breton, and Quebecois styles.
Sean O Se's long and illustrious career as "a giant of Irish music" has touched all bases in the Irish music business. His unique, unforgettable tenor voice was nurtured in a family of singers. Sean's voice first reached a wide audience in Ireland in the 1960s working with composer Sean O Riada in the group Ceoltoiri Chualann which catapulted Irish traditional music onto the concert stage and into the international arena. The film explores Sean's musical life within the contexts of his deep attachment to the Irish language, West Cork and the Beara peninsula, and his passion for his career in teaching and education administration in Cork City. The film features live performances and interviews with longtime associates from the worlds of music and education.
From the unaccompanied ballads, to lively fiddle tunes, to radio cowboy bands, to square dancing at Moose Hall, The Unbroken Circle traces the path of traditional music in Vermont. Historic photos accompany the words and music of over a dozen Vermont musicians.
