In 1978 and 1979, musicologist David Fanshawe made a whirlwind tour of the South Pacific with the goal of recording the folk music traditions of the region. The fruits of his extensive labor are featured here, presenting a diversity of musical settings and styles, from love songs to work chants.
In 1978 and 1979, musicologist David Fanshawe made a whirlwind tour of the South Pacific with the goal of recording the folk music traditions of the region. The fruits of his extensive labor are featured here, presenting a diversity of musical settings and styles, from love songs to work chants. Here is an excerpt from the original liner note, from 1981:
Do not expect to hear Hawaiian guitars, ukuleles and the Hula. Imagine, however, a musical odyssey through the South Pacific islands traveling with a rucksack, 200 rolls of tape, 35mm film and stereo tape recorder. Here are some wonderful examples of authentic South Seas music—unbelievably beautiful and yet an endangered species. If you travel from the Cook Islands in an anti-clockwise circle via the Solomon Islands to Tahiti and if you search hard enough this is the kind of music you might have the luck to find.
Originally released in 1981
Recorded by David Fanshawe
Edited and mastered by Michael McCarthy (E.R.A.S.E)
Coordinator: Keith Holzman
Re-mastered by Robert C. Ludwig
Design: Doyle Partners
Cover Photograph: Alex Webb / Magnum Photos. 2000. Western Samoa. Children Playing.
Additional photographs: David Fanshawe
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