The Welcoming Tradition: Basque and International Ballads

The Welcoming Tradition is the first monograph dedicated to Basque ballads. Written by the exceptional and brilliant musician Alan Griffin, whose performances and recordings resurrected and re-popularized the form, this book's detailed analyses of the traditional form argue for the uniqueness of Basque ballads while also exploring historical links to other European forms. In addition to its comparative insights, the volume includes valuable histories of "sasibaladas" -- pseudo-ballads translated into Basque and published by authors as if they were traditional -- identified here for the first time. Of interest to enthusiasts and those new to Basque ballads alike, including fans of live traditional Basque music and instruments, the work's comprehensive account of Basque and other ballads illuminates the energy and electricity of performances. Its well-researched claims and extensive bibliography are valuable resources for music historians, performers, and poets, as well as for scholars of Basque folk songs and their relationships to other traditions.

Pagina's: 686, Paperback, Center for Basque Studies Press