Samoa

This is quite the compilation of old Samoan songs. Two songs were recorded in 1910 when a group of Samoans led by Tamasese visited Berlin. Others were recorded by the radio broadcasting agencies of Samoa & New Zealand, all before 1970. These songs are all of ancient origin or of traditional composition. None feature instruments other than traditional Samoan musical instruments, the pate (a hollowed-out log) & the fala (a rolled-up mat) both which are beaten with sticks, creating sound primarily by way of the instrument's vibrating, without the use of strings or membranes. These are accompanied by clapping & choral singing.

This all tends to make the songs sound random & spontaneous. The subject themselves range from glee at the destruction of Manono by German warships, to a creepy wailing song about the impending doom of a village due to some unknown indiscretion, to grieving songs about the Spanish influenza & the Mau movement, to a song based on an old Savai'i myth. If you are at all interested how the old Samoa sounded like before the influence of modern Western music, this collection is an absolute necessity.

 Various – Music of Oceania: Samoa Songs: A Historical Collection, Musicaphon M 52705, 1999. 

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Tracklist –

Standing Dance Song

Standing Dance Song

War Song

War Song

Ula Dance Song

Song of the 1918 Epidemic

Song of the 1918 Epidemic

Song of the Spirit Te'e

Song in Honor of a Marriage

Song of the Mau Rebellion 

Song of Political Lament 

Song of Praise

Enjoy,

NØ