Reviewed: 2018-05-02
Genre: World
FCCs: none
Review: Songs of love, loss and leaving. Duni issues her most intimate recording to date. The entirely solo CD features the Tirana -born vocalist, accompanied by her own piano, guitar and frame drum, interpreting songs from very diverse sources. From folk songs and chansons to songs of singer-songwriters. Here we find traditional music from Albania, Kosovo, Armenia, Macedonia, Switzerland & Arab-Andalusia. Duni’s uniquely expressive voice and pared down arrangements locate a common thread of longing that runs through the material. Only #2 is in English
If You Like: Sandy Denny, Jacqui McShee, June Tabor
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Amara Terra Mia (4:17) – vocal starts> slow song> slow fade
2/ Let Us Dive In (4:45) – vocal start> slow song builds in intensity & volume, then mellows again> fade on vocal
*3/ Meu Amor (4:28) – guitar starts> slow song> slow fade on vocal
*4/ Lamma Bada Yatathanna (4:16) – vocal start> slow song with frame drum accompaniment> slow fade on vocal
5/ Vishnja (4:08) – piano starts> slow song which then slows more> quick stop
*6/ Lusnak Gisher (2:46) – vocal starts> slow song with long drawn out words> slow fade on vocal
*7/ Oyfn Veg (6:20) – piano starts> slow song slows further> quick stop
8/ Kanga E Kurbetit (3:28) – vocal starts> acapella
9/ Ani Kaj Lulije (2:19) – frame drum starts with strong notes> midtempo song> quick stop
*10/ Vaj Si Kenka (3:40) – guitar starts> slow song> slow fade
*11/ Je Ne Sais Pas (4:21) – guitar starts> slow song> slow fade
12/ Schönster Abestärn (2:57) – vocal starts> slow song> fade