Recorded 1952 by Alan Lomax, assisted by Jeannette Bell, with the collaboration of Eduardo Torner

Notes by María Gutíerrez and Judith R. Cohen; translations by Judith R. Cohen

In 1952, Alan Lomax described his impression of Extremadura’s “dun plain, with straw-gold glints from the sun, and grey boulders like the faint strips of old, worn mountains.” From this home of balladry come sung tales of brave muleteers, kingly incest, and monks sneaking over convent walls; the sounds of the pipe and tabor; women’s strong voices over tambourines; and a shepherd’s lone chant in his straw hut under the October moonlight. Contains previously unreleased recordings.

“A rare and fascinating collection of folksongs and tunes from Extremadura.” —Rambles