What is the cultural origin of this type of music?

[Sikeliot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1rDIx8S2HU&list=PL1B4BBCB314FDC4D0&index=11


Listen to this song or at least flip through it.

Whiny, quivering vocals, very slow with a flute type instrument and a constant, very slow beat.

I can't figure it out because it doesn't sound Greek, is not similar to other southern Italian music, and is unlike anything I've heard. It almost reminds me of some Israeli music.

[Tacitus]

It's uniquely Sicilian, no more no less.

[Sikeliot]

It's uniquely Sicilian, no more no less.

Ok, let me rephrase. Its closest equivalent is what?

[Wadaad]

Ok, let me rephrase. Its closest equivalent is what?

probably mainland italian...i could tell its distinctly Sicilian because it reminds me of certain soundtracks to Mafia movies

[Sikeliot]

probably mainland italian...i could tell its distinctly Sicilian because it reminds me of certain soundtracks to Mafia movies

Mainland Italian music isn't like this either.

[Tacitus]

Ok, let me rephrase. Its closest equivalent is what?

Mainland southern Italian.

[Sikeliot]

Mainland southern Italian.

Well obviously, but I mean where did this style of music come from? Is it of Byzantine origin? Is it Western European and inherently related to other forms of West European music? Is it a Middle Eastern remnant?

[Scholarios]

Sounds a little like Arbereshe music I have heard. (some of the most beautiful music of Europe, btw)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeFRSOJCzAA

As someone said, it's clearly "just" Sicilian. A combination of native, Arabic, Byzantine-Greek, Italo-Norman tastes and influences. Just a hunch going by its uniqueness. Put a bunch of stuff in a blender and you get something new. Sounds also a bit like stuff from Morricone or Theodorakis soundtracks

[Sikeliot]

As someone said, it's clearly "just" Sicilian. A combination of native, Arabic, Byzantine-Greek, Italo-Norman tastes and influences. Just a hunch going by its uniqueness. Put a bunch of stuff in a blender and you get something new. Sounds also a bit like stuff from Morricone or Theodorakis soundtracks

There is no "native" Sicilian culture... everything came from somewhere else and just mixed together. If you mean pre-Greek, pre-Phoenician by native, those populations left no cultural impact.

[Tacitus]

Well obviously, but I mean where did this style of music come from? Is it of Byzantine origin? Is it Western European and inherently related to other forms of West European music? Is it a Middle Eastern remnant?

Probably evolved from Medieval Sicily, which would've been a mix of Byzantine, Arab, and Norman culture.

[Tacitus]

Sounds a little like Arbereshe music I have heard. (some of the most beautiful music of Europe, btw)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeFRSOJCzAA

As someone said, it's clearly "just" Sicilian. A combination of native, Arabic, Byzantine-Greek, Italo-Norman tastes and influences. Just a hunch going by its uniqueness. Put a bunch of stuff in a blender and you get something new. Sounds also a bit like stuff from Morricone or Theodorakis soundtracks

That song sounds more southern Italian than Albanian, besides the language of course.

[Sikeliot]

Probably evolved from Medieval Sicily, which would've been a mix of Byzantine, Arab, and Norman culture.

I assumed so. But which one comes through in it most?

It may seem like I am asking for simple answers where they are impossible to give, so I apologize. I am just curious :p

[Mark]

General S. Italian with subtle near east elements.