Reading the liner notes on this 1999 compilation subtitled Athens to Andalucia caused a serious attack of jealousy -- I'm so envious of the head Putumayo guy's job! About half of these great tracks from Spain, France, Greece and Italy feature women... among them, Il Trillo with Lucilla Galeazzi from Italy. She's the diva from the Mammas ensemble whose voice makes my heart stop. (I'm beside myself that they're putting out a video and CD, An Italian Odyssey, in fall '99, on which she's featured). If Mediterranean music -- with its Arabic, Sephardic, Celtic and gypsy influences -- moves you like it does me, you won't be disappointed; here's to wanderlust!

Putumayo Presents