Trallalero Levantin

Trallalero is traditional Genoese polyphonic a capella choir singing, described by Alan Lomax after his post-war field recording trip as ‘the greatest European choir style.’ Related to Sardinian and Corsican polyphony, it traditionally features a four-part harmony sung by dock workers, or camalli (from the Arabic hamal), waiting for the call. The six-piece Orchestra Bailam is well established (since 1989) in Italian new folk, and their research develops on the axis connecting Genoa, Venice, Tessaloniki, Istanbul and İzmir: harbour cities where key popular music styles developed, cross-pollinating cultures into the Levantine sound-world. Featuring mostly original tunes by leader Franco Minelli that are based on traditional styles and sung in Genoese dialect, the album includes a traditional trallalero, an İzmirian melody and a Fabrizio De André song. Accordionist Julyo Fortunato brilliantly shares solo duties with Minelli throughout.

Picturing a beautiful ancient Genoese shawl (or mezzaro) on the cover, the album also includes lyrics and translations. While the singing cannot duplicate the raw power of the original recordings, this is a lovingly crafted and vibrant tribute to a lost civilisation when seas connected the world instead of separating it.