Wooden Heart by Mavrothi Kontanis

“Ksylini Kardia (Wooden Heart)” focuses primarily on the various ways the oud has been used in the Aegean over the years, and begins with strictly instrumental (mostly original) material.

These instrumental pieces fall under what is considered the Ottoman classical tradition, with some stylistic accents that combine traditional and contemporary sounds.

The traditional songs which follow complete the collection by reminding us that the oud is first and foremost a folk instrument, used to accompany and reinforce the voice.

Combined, these songs form a more complete picture of the oud in the Aegean across time and several musical styles.

Megan Gould is one of NYC's most versatile performers of Middle Eastern, Greek and popular music. Her comfort within a wide range of styles, her responsiveness to other musicians on stage, and a soulful improvisational style make Megan a sought-after element in many musical projects. She has worked with artists ranging from Lou Reed Natalie Merchant to Bassam Saba and Alkistis Protopsalti.

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