Armòs - Musica Tradizionale Siciliana (1999)

Armòs , disco meraviglioso, di musica siciliana, del 1999. Armòs is a musical project which aims to rediscover Sicilian traditional music and interact with it by playing old material, on old instruments, in a modern spirit - with an emphasis on joy rather than reverence. The album presents music and words taken from the traditional Sicilian repertory as researched and revived by the group Armòs. Some of the traditional instruments were rebuilt specially, using old illustrations and descriptions. Probably through the use of the traditional string and woodwind instruments, variations of which were common across Europe, much of the music sounds similar to that played by other medieval revival bands in countries like Germany, England, or France. This probably means there's a ready market for it outside Sicily itself. And the Italian vocals really seem to suit the melodies. It's lovely, gentle but also lively music, which is very pleasant to listen to. The booklet includes explanatory notes on the project, song lyrics, and their English translations as well as some nice illustrations. Anyone interested in medieval music and historical instruments should find this a rewarding album; for people with Sicilian roots, it should be a fascinating voyage of discovery. (Text from folkworld cd reviews)