WORLD MUSIC : Redpath Shares the Folklore of Scottish Homeland in Song

With the images and sounds of “Braveheart” still echoing through the media, it’s probably appropriate that Jean Redpath makes one of her rare appearances in Los Angeles next week. For decades one of the most fervent champions of Scottish traditional music, the 59-year-old singer-guitarist has become widely known to the American audience via her frequent performances on the “Prairie Home Companion” radio show.

The Edinburgh-born Redpath first came to the United States in 1961, just in time to participate in the Greenwich Village-centered folk revival, introducing her collection of Scottish melodies at such legendary venues as Gerde’s Folk City.

Redpath’s music reaches from the poetry of Robert Burns, traditional melodies and “mouth” music (in which vocalized rhythmic sounds replace instruments) to contemporary songs (notably her classic rendering of “Song of the Seals”) and country music. She has labored long and hard to discover and preserve colorful narrative ballads and work songs that have been passed down for generations.

Despite her far-ranging musical interests, Redpath has never learned to read music and feels that to do so at this point would be a detriment.

“I work with my ears, and with the ears of my audience,” she explains.

Redpath’s concert April 13 in Friends Hall at the Huntington Library in San Marino commemorates the bicentenary of the death of Robert Burns. Expect, therefore, a healthy sampling of the words and music of Scotland’s great poet. And expect, as well, an evening of informative entertainment, since Redpath peppers her programs with a wit and whimsy that make her seem like a combination of folk singer, comedian and ethnomusicologist.

* Jean Redpath performs April 13 at Friends Hall, Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 7:30 p.m. $20. (818) 841-8161.

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Global Recordings: Two of the most honored Indian classical musicians--Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan--both maintain residences in California. It’s no surprise, then, that a company with a small but select catalog of Indian music is based in the state. Water Lily Acoustics in Santa Barbara has meticulously produced recordings by, among others, violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam, sarod player Khan, surbahar player Ustad Imrat Khan and singer Pandit Jasraj.

Kavi Alexander, who runs the label, has also released music from Brazil and the Sudan, as well as what he describes as “East-West” combinations--American musicians Jerry Douglas and Taj Mahal in sessions with Indian artists V.M. Bhatt and N. Ravikiran. An encounter between Bhatt and guitarist Ry Cooder, “A Meeting by the River,” won a Grammy in the world music category in 1994.

Water Lily’s recordings are all done on analog equipment, reflecting Alexander’s belief in the non-digital medium’s ability “to capture and convey intact all the magic of music.” Although Alexander only reluctantly decided to issue Water Lily albums in digital CD format, he occasionally makes some productions available on LP. Information: (805) 968-8188.

The influence of Indian music has, throughout the centuries, reached well beyond the subcontinent, touching and shaping indigenous sounds across Asia, through the Middle East, across North Africa and into Spain and Portugal.

Its inspiration is especially apparent, even to the most casual listener, in the spiraling, passionate vocals and crisp rhythms of flamenco. A new collection from Narada, “Flamenco: Fire and Grace,” reveals some aspects of that influence in an eminently listenable assemblage of performances by such artists as singer Enrique Morente and the superb guitarist Tomatito. Another flamenco recording, “Cante Gitano!” (Celestial Harmonies), features the powerful, emotionally gripping vocals of Rafael Jimenez Jimenez.

A few steps removed from flamenco, but similar in spirit and attitude, is tango, especially as represented by the seductive dance rhythms of Argentine bandoneon player Daniel Binelli in “Tango!” (Celestial Harmonies).

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Around Town: In a busy world music weekend, the charismatic Angelique Kidjo, the most internationally prominent female African singer since Miriam Makeba, is at the House of Blues on Saturday. . . . The same night, Cameroon singer Prince Eyango brings his vigorous dance music to LunaPark. . . . Also on Saturday, Indian violinist L. Subramaniam appears at Wadsworth Theater in West Los Angeles. . . . And samba queen Christiani Callil and her dancing Girls From Ipanema finish up their long run at the Century Club tonight, Saturday and next Friday.