Ukranian Village Music
Arhoolie/Folklyric 7030

Traditional string music of central and eastern Europe has recently caught the ear of American fiddlers looking for new styles that are technically accessible. Arhoolie has released an anthology of `78's recorded in the United States by immigrants from the Ukraine between 1928 and 1933. Fortunate circumstances described in the informative notes led to the preservation of this authentic sound, much of which was lost in Europe during the communist regime. (A case can be made for the opinion that most of the great recordings of traditional music were accomplished before World War II and aimed at minority audiences. Anything after that date is polluted by mass media and electricity. Well, maybe.) This is the old country sound with no references to the immigrant experience.

All the selections are energetic dance tunes including kolmyjkas, shers, Hungarian csardas, polkas, and waltzes. Violins take most of the leads. The players are mostly folk performers and only a couple evince formal training. But the playing is as driving as any bluegrass breakdown. In fact a couple of the tunes are similar to the southern standard, "Flop Eared Mule." The music is all in major with a couple of tunes featuring #4 notes.

The groups are predominantly trios and quartets. The rhythmic role of chording, double stopped second violin and bowed bass is especially piquant. There is also some cymbalom and frame drum accompaniment. - Stacy Phillips

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