http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/5625/
Iļģi concert, streamed from Rīga, focuses on Midsummer
Andris Straumanis
June 07, 2009
I watched a wonderful concert live over the Internet today. The post-folklore band
Iļģi introduced its latest album,
Isākās nakts dziesmas, with a set of both old and new material in Rīga’s
Club Essential.
The concert, focused on the upcoming Midsummer celebration, was one of two performed June 7 by the band.
The first four songs were old ones from previous albums or concerts,
including an updated “Seju vēju,” off the band’s 2000 album of the same
name, and “Šķērsu dienu saule teka” from Kaza kāpa debesīs (2003).
Only on the fifth song, with lead singer Ilga Reizniece donning a
crown of flowers, did the band turn to its newest album. One of my
favorites, “Sit, Jānīti, vara bungas,” was first. “Visu gadu Jānīts
nāca” came next, followed by “Visu gadu Jānīts jāja,” the first and
second tracks on the album. The band finished up its new material with
“Visi ziedi izziedēja” and “Saule brida miglājosi.”
Iļģi then reached back a decade for “Kalnā kāpu skatīties,” which appears on the band’s 1998 album Saules meita. “Kas varēja grožus vīt,” the first track on Sēju vēju, sounded as good as ever.
Another favorite song, “Šķiraties(i), zosu pulki,” from the band’s wedding-themed Ne uz vienu dienu
(2006) came next, although the live version lacked the spunk of the
recording. In preparation for the dance party that was to follow the
concert, Iļģi then played “Valsis uguns gaismā,” a waltz off the
instrumental Ej tu dejot, released last year. After another
instrumental, Iļģi closed out the concert with “Tumsa tumsa kas par
tumsu,” the final track on Sēju vēju.
Opening for Iļģi was the Rīga-based women’s folk ensemble
Laiksne.
The group performed a half-hour cycle of songs leading up to a Jāņi
celebration. On stage with Laiksne was Gatis Gaujenieks of Iļģi, who
accompanied the singers with his bass.
Thanks to recording company
Platforma Music
and its sponsors for providing the streaming video. I’m happy the
Flash-powered connection held up for the entire concert. In full-screen
mode, the picture quality wasn’t the greatest, but should I complain
for getting to watch one of Latvia’s best bands for free?
The stream continued for the dance party, with the aerobic
“Pankūkas” starting off the set. Members of Rīgas Daņcu klubs helped
lead the event. Others dances included “Vidzemes žīga,” “Dirižablis”
and “Cūkas griķos,” among several more.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.