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The "SOUNDS FROM THE HILLS OF JAMAICA" CD is Volume 1 of an anthology of Jamaican and other Caribbean folk songs compiled by Marie McMarrow, Lyric Soprano. The songs are primarily post slavery emancipation material and are sung in Jamaican creole.
As a former member of the Jamaican Folk Singers, led by musicologist Dr. Olive Lewin, Marie gained experience through travels in the field with Dr. Lewin, as she collected songs in various communities around the country. Marie was in her early 20s when she met Maroon counselor and traditional dancer, Marion Rennock, known as “Mammee”. Mammee Rennock shared with Dr. Lewin many historical songs. Mammee taught the Jamaican Folk Singers songs and dances such as “The Alligator Song”, “War Dung a Monklan’ ”, “My Company is Going Far” and “Bogle”. All of these songs are included on this CD.
The first anthology was selected to give a perspective of the feelings of the Jamaican people, as depicted in the music they produced during slavery and the post emancipation periods. As we live in the 21st century, it is understandably difficult for us to fully comprehend the psychological effect of enslavement. There was also a set of people called the Maroons who never experienced slavery as other Africans did, since this group fought and won their right to live self governed in specific sections of the island. The songs by those enslaved were often songs that imitated the music of their masters--for example, “Jane and Luisa”, a well-known play song, sung in Waltz time. They were typically light hearted, but often hiding real pain or passing on information, songs such as "Day Oh", communicated the enormous stress of those who worked all through the night and just wanted to get home. On the other hand, the music of the Maroons echoed the sound of their hilly surroundings and was more African in rhythmic style and character. The Maroon songs often gave historical accounts, such as the recounting of the tragic life of Paul Bogle, or of everyday events, such as the sighting of an alligator, or introspective reflection, such as "My company is going far and I am left alone".
It is within these songs that Marie is able to renew faith in her fervent belief in the innate goodness of mankind. She made observations of consistency among the music produced by various groups of people who have experienced the horrors of war and enslavement. The music produced seems to be totally indifferent to the realities of their experiences.
You can support production and research of Volume 2 by buying these tracks and more songs at: http://stores.lulu.com/mcmarrowstores08
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