Catrin Finch gigs are always a joy whoever she is working with and this time it was a revival of a long-standing collaboration with an indigenous band from Columbia - the Orinoco basin to be precise- who play a form of music known a joropo. This involves fast, percussive rhythms, some soulful singing and some stomping. The instruments were drums and bass, a harp, a bandola and a cuatro plus of course Catrin's welsh harp. The rhythms were intense, the musicianship outstanding and the singing full of drama and emotion.
Cimarrón's singer Ana Veydó was the elder statesman of the band having been a founder decades ago and the younger musicians were part of a changing line up over the years. Having said that they were great musicians - the harp player had a distinctive style, the bandola player had amazing speed and skill - and all were given chances to solo during the gig.
Ana came out to sing in several different cotsumes the last one involving a pair of giant red 'horns'.
A very different and very enjoyable gig.
