Santiago (CD - 1996)

The Chieftans: Martin Fay, Sean Keane (fiddle); Derek Bell (harp, tiompan, harpsichord); Matt Molloy (flute); Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes, tin whistle, arranger); Kevin Conneff (bodhran, vocals).

Additional personnel includes: Linda Ronstadt, Ultreia Choir (vocals); Eliot Fisk (guitar); Ry Cooder (mandola); Carlos Nunez (gaita, recorder, whistle, bombard); Los Lobos.

Includes liner notes by Paddy Moloney.

SANTIAGO won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.

Here the Chieftains have embarked upon an exploration of the "lost Celtic province" of Galicia (the northwest corner of Spain) and areas extending to Portugal, the Basque provinces, and Cuba. They have used the finest musicians from these areas to propel their music with a conviction that staggers the imagination. Santiago catapults the listener into a musical excursion that seamlessly flows through the styles and musics of these different lands, so that a beginning and an end can no more be distinguished than the waters of the Mississippi River can be separated from those rivers that flow into it on its journey from its heart to its mouth. Attempting to find album highlights is virtually impossible due to the incredible musicianship displayed by the guests, too numerous to mention, who populate this work. Nevertheless, the opening five-part suite "Pilgrimage to Santiago" is worthy of singling out, with its use of ancient traditional instruments such as the tralaparta (large wooden planks that are laid on baskets and maize leaves and played with sticks) and the participation, in a different section of the suite, of the Ulteria Choir. Another notable track is "Dueling Chanters" with "seventh Chieftain" Carlos Nunez, a Galician gaita player, who had toured with the group for about two years at the time of this recording. As Paddy Moloney on uilleann pipes and Nunez on gaita trade dazzling licks, it is an absolute delight to hear these two, on their cousins to the bagpipes, playing off each other so beautifully. ~ Bob Gottlieb

The region of Galicia, a green and hilly area located in the northwest corner of Spain, forms the inspiration for this 1996 album. Ireland and Galicia have religion, music, and a certain Celtic ancestry in common; Spanish sailors were washed up and in some cases settled in Ireland after the destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The Chieftains, traditional music pilgrims of the world, here seize the opportunity to work with the young recorder, whistle, and gaita (Galician bagpipes) player Carlos Nunez on SANTIAGO. It's intriguing to hear the similarities between traditional Irish and Galician music as they intermingle here. Many other similar musical styles are sampled on SANTIAGO, too, including music from Portugal and even Mexico, with help from Los Lobos. Standout tracks include "Dun Paterfamilias/Ad Honorem" a medieval chant enhanced by the beautiful harp playing of Derek Bell, and the live, joyous romp of "Dublin in Vigo." minimize