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Breton Andro — Aires de Pontevedra

by Jake Schepps

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Round Window Radio, November 2017
Breton Andro / Aires de Pontevedra
Traditional Galician

It seems apropos to release this particular track this month as I am planted in the north of Spain right now for 2 months with my family studying Spanish, surfing, and eating pintxos (tasty Basque tapas). We are in San Sebastián, and while not quite Galicia, we are certainly closer than my home in Boulder. Galicia, located in the northwest corner of Spain, is considered the seventh Celtic Nation (the other six being Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Isle of Mann and Brittany, France). Galicia’s rich fiddling tradition is being rediscovered with increasing recordings and recognition of their rich tradition. Like any folk music, this is a deep well that takes a lifetime to digest, assimilate, and convey. There are dozens of gorgeous albums of regional folk music from Northern Spain that are worthwhile listens.

I learned “Aires de Pontevedra” at one of Alasdair Fraser’s fiddle camps, and then ‘Breton Andros’ came from Enion Pelta-Tiller, via the great Irish fiddler Jessie Burns. A massive treat to record these tunes with Enion, Max, and Ty.

We came up with this arrangement with the accelerando between tunes during rehearsals, yet in the studio Enion started quoting “Aires” while we were still on the “Andro.” It somewhat displaces the beat making the transition between tunes rhythmically ambiguous and confusing, while also decisively moving forward. And the swirling mix through that part was 100% from the brilliant mind of the mixing and engineer master Justin Peacock.

A phenomenal rendition of “Aires de Pontevedra,” albeit no banjo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG9tp1_UQFs

Chris Thile recorded a great Galician tune a few years ago.
Here is the original
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LeNUU70cV0
Here is his version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxFIvGGKSHY

The food thing in San Sebastian is overwhelming. Here is a short video that shows one of the hundreds of pintxo bars in town. This is the tip of the iceberg as the town boasts more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1OhoJtqIiw

credits

released November 1, 2017

Jake Schepps: banjo
Enion Pelta-Tiller: violin
Max Johnson: bass
Ty Burhoe: tabla

Traditional Galicia
Arranged by Jake Schepps

Produced by Jake Schepps
Recorded February 3, 2017
Swingfiners Studio, Fort Collins, CO
Engineer: Aaron Youngberg
Mixed by Justin Peacock

Special thanks to Aaron, Enion, Ty, Max, and the generous subscribers at Round Window Radio.

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Jake Schepps Boulder, Colorado

Jake Schepps has made a name for himself as a banjo renaissance man, an artist with not only an adroit touch on his instrument but an intrepid, imaginative vision for contemporary stringband music. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he leads the Jake Schepps Quintet, playing longform classical works written for string band, music by Bela Bartok, and of course some good ol' bluegrass. ... more

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