Elena Ledda - Marremanu - Biber Records Vollton Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG Leimbachweg 11 D-79283 Bollschweil Germany http://www.vollton.com/EnglishIndex.htm music@vollton.com

Track listings:  1. Fizu 'E Su Mundu  2 Rosa E Resolza  3. In Trese  4. Dillaru  5. Dilliriende  6. Maremannu  7. Rosario  8. Nieddamera  9. Des De Mallorca A    L'Alguer 10. Ninnios 11. Imbala 12. Pregadoria

Though Elena Ledda has recorded very few albums, she is still one of the great ladies of Sardinian song. After studying music at the "Pier Luigi da Palestrina" in Cagliari she traveled the island collecting and listening to its traditional music. Singing in the Sardinian language, she incorporates traditional lyrics and composes the music for them. Maremannu is her most recent recording and shows a maturity of style as well as composition. Her voice is an expressive and powerful instrument and she knows how to use it to its full effect. She is not afraid to takes risks nor is she a purist. Maremannu is her most progressive album to date. Often she sings acapella but just as often she uses modern instruments along with traditional ones. She surrounds herself with excellent musicians such as Riccardo Tesi and Mauro Palmas. She also appears with Mauro Palmas on A Volte Ritornano as well as her own c.d.'s, Incanti on Auvidis and Sonos on Biber Records. One of the most beautiful songs on the album is the title track "Maremannu" A poignant ballad that is a tribute to the writer Sergio Atzeni from Cagliari who drowned in the sea. There's a woman alone On the seashore praying For the sea begs her. Give me your love as a gift A love like a breath of wind... (From Maremannu text by M. P. Ledda music by E. Ledda, M. Palmas, S. Lobina Another favorite of mine is "In Trese". This is a Sardinian ballu and sung in traditional style but with both traditional and untraditional accompaniment. "Let the dancing begin, it's time for the feast" That is something I am always in sympathy with--dancing and feasting! The song is a celebration and Elena's voice along with Simonetta Soro (another great vocalist) and Mauro Palmas is radiating pure joy in the invitation to the dance. There are dance songs, ballads, lullabies and even an acapella prayer titled "Rosario" showing the full range of Elena's great talent and musical courage. The beautiful and poignant Des De Mallorca A L'Alguer with Elena's voice and the sparse instrumentation of Mauro Palmas, mandola; Ricardo Tesi, accordion; Silvano Lobina, bass; Alberto Pisu, drums; and Friedemann Witecka, guitar is a masterpiece.

Any questions: gypsy@kusp.org