FIESTA EN BANICA - Virgen del Carmen (Audio CD)
52 Minutes - Stereo - Digital Live Recording
Produced by Magnetic Art.
Released by Earthcds Partners.
This is a live stereo digital recording of the yearly celebration in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, in Banica, a tiny hamlet on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Banica is very rich in poular music and traditions and this CD is a unique documentation of still another branch of sacred Palo music. It also features rare examples of Salve music, performed by a group of senior citizens who were present at the event. Salve, is a music form performed without the usual accompaniment of three palo drums. It evolves in patterns of call-response, where a soloist sings his/her line and the choir responds. Then someone else in the group picks up the solo line and the group follows up.
These ceremonies of Palo and Salve are performed every year on July 16th in front of the altar of the Virgen del Carmen.
Recorded by Giovanni Savino.
