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World News
It's Carnival season throughout the world, including here in Louisiana, where I live (though we call it Mardi Gras, of course), and parties and parades and all sorts of revelry are gearing up in Brazil, Italy, throughout the Caribbean, and elsewhere. One of the most vibrant Carnival celebrations in the world, and the one that's perhaps the most intrinsically musical, is the celebration in Trinidad, home of calypso. If you're trying to get into the Carnival spirit (or simply looking for great Mardi Gras music from around the world to soundtrack your party), you really can't go wrong with some hip-shakin' Vintage Calypso.
Read more:
- 5 Great Vintage Calypso Music Compilations
- Music for Mardi Gras From Many Cultures
- What is Carnival, Anyway?
- Mardi Gras Munchies: Recipes for Fat Tuesday
Image (c) Arc Music, 2003
Great Vintage Calypso for Carnival originally appeared on About.com World Music on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 22:49:07.
One of Brooklyn's worst-kept secrets happens every Tuesday night at a tiny little Park Slope club called Barbes. Approximately 60 people, a large number of whom seem to be holding horns or drums, cram into a space that barely fits 30 comfortably, and Brass Band Bacchanalia breaks out. Slavic Soul Party! is the band, though they're barely distinguishable from the fans, and the volume is legendary. It's an amazing, visceral musical experience, and one that I recommend everyone take in at least once (cheating and bringing earplugs won't ruin it for you, I promise). Should you not be in the New York area regularly, though, chances are good that Slavic Soul Party! will be coming your way sooner than later, and they're just as fabulous on a big stage as they are crammed into a tiny room. Keep your eyes peeled!
Image Courtesy Slavic Soul Party!
Spotlight: Slavic Soul Party! originally appeared on About.com World Music on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 15:35:17.
I have a love/hate relationship with writing "... for Beginners" or "... Starter CDs" lists. I love being able to help people find new music that they will love, and opening a door to a whole new genre of music. I hate narrowing the lists down, though.
If this was real life and not the internet and you came knocking on my door and said, "Hi! I don't know a darned thing about Arabic music, but I'd like to, so where should I start?" I'd start up the old iPod and jabber on for hours, eventually sending you home with an enormous bag full of CDs and live concert DVDs and you'd wisely never ask me for advice again. Since this is the internet, and brevity is a virtue here, I've just come up with a tidy list of ten -- more convenient for you, I suspect, but sheer agony for me. Have a look: 10 Arabic Music Starter CDs
Image (c) Fairuz Productions, 2010
10 Arabic Music CDs for Beginners originally appeared on About.com World Music on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 01:32:33.
I just started getting back into yoga, after a break of almost two years (I have an almost-two-year-old; no big coincidence there), and I'm still in need of pretty serious inspiration. Since most of what I'm doing at this point is still basically advanced sitting, standing, and laying down, and even that leaves me sore, it's hard to really get motivated to practice every day. Since I mostly practice alone (I used to be pretty good at this stuff, and I'm not attempting any advanced asanas, so don't worry about me), I get to pick the music, and having some great music to choose from makes all the difference in the world. I compiled this list of excellent modern yoga music, figuring that I might not be the only one who can't stand the goofy MIDI flutes and raindrop noises that are clearly beloved by every yoga teacher I've ever had. And hey, if you're more of an aerobic exerciser, a lot of these albums make for good warm-up and cool-down music, so they're good for you, too. Read more: Contemporary Yoga Music (That Doesn't Suck)
Image (c) White Swan Records, 2008
Yoga Music That Doesn't Suck originally appeared on About.com World Music on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 20:59:04.
It's time once again for the annual About.com Readers' Choice Awards, and nominations are open. This year will be the first that the World Music Site will be taking part, though, so let's make it a great one! We've got eight great categories, and we're looking forward to honoring not only artists, but live music venues, radio shows, and even record labels with the tremendous honor of being chosen by you as their favorite. Nominations are open until February 15, and nominees will be announced (and voting will commence) on February 22. Winners will be announced on March 30. What are you waiting for? Go forth and nominate!
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards! originally appeared on About.com World Music on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 00:42:48.
Youssou N'Dour has announced that he'll be seeking the office of President of Senegal. As the country's most famous citizen, N'Dour is known both domestically and internationally for his vibrant music, which frequently speaks to social and political issues in Senegal and throughout Africa. He's also a fairly astute businessman, and is the owner of several media companies, including a newspaper and a radio station. Thus far, his candidacy seems to have been received with mixed emotions. Read more, from the Washington Post: World Music Star N'Dour Challenges Aging Leader with Presidency Bid
Some other world music stars have been making headlines in the political sector, as well. Afro-Peruvian songstress Susana Baca, who was only recently appointed as Peru's Minister of Culture, was relieved of her post in a major cabinet shake-up, wherein President Ollanta Humala replaced at least 10 cabinet ministers in what seems to be a reaction to major protests surrounding a large mining project.
In Nigeria, afrobeat musician Seun Anikulapo Kuti (son of Fela) is taking part in major protests over the ending of fuel subsidies, the absence of which brings gasoline prices to nearly the same as those in the United States, but in a country where the average citizen makes $2 a day.
Youssou N'Dour Image (c) Dan Kitwood / Getty Images, 2008
Youssou N'Dour Makes Presidential Bid in Senegal originally appeared on About.com World Music on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 01:30:35.
Happy New Year! 2011 was a great year for world music (see my Top 11 of '11 CDs for proof), but 2012 looks to be even better. On my list of bands to watch is an Afro-hip-hop trio from Mali called SMOD. Their eponymous international debut, produced by Manu Chao (who the band met because he produced Dimanche a Bamako, an international hit album by Amadou and Mariam, who happen to be the parents of SMOD member Sam), made quiet waves among critics in both Europe and North America, but their recent much-talked-about performance at WOMEX, soon to be paired with their U.S. debut at globalFEST, are what really have people's ears perked up. My prediction? You'll be hearing a lot more from them, and you're gonna love it. In fact, if you haven't heard their music yet, why not make it a New Year's Resolution? It's an easy enough one to keep, after all...
Artists to Watch in 2012: SMOD originally appeared on About.com World Music on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 at 19:09:03.
Once again, I've been hard at work transcribing old folk songs for your viewing (and singing) pleasure. What fun these old songs are! If you need a bit of poetry in your life, they're not a bad way to go, that's for sure. Have a look:
Tim Finnegan's Wake
The T'read on the Tail o' Me Coat (Mush Mush Mush)
The Galway Piper (Piping Tim)
Lanigan's Ball
The Banks of Claudy
The Spanish Lady
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow
The Wearing of the Green
New Additions to Irish Music Folksong Collection originally appeared on About.com World Music on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 at 19:02:17.
Well, I think I've officially agonized over this enough, folks. What was a list of just shy of 30 of my favorites was whittled down to 20, and then 15, and finally... I couldn't check off any more. Luckily, it's 2011, so a list of 11 seems perfectly reasonable, and if I hadn't just told you my process, you might've even believed that I did it on purpose. Oh, well. Anyway, check out my favorite world music of the year, and when you're done, feel free to leave a comment here and berate me for missing your favorite! (Or, you know, just share it nicely...)
The 11 Best World Music CDs of 2011 originally appeared on About.com World Music on Sunday, December 18th, 2011 at 21:35:49.
Legendary Cape Verdean songstress Cesaria Evora died this morning at the age of 70. Suffering from ill health for the last few years, Evora announced her retirement in October of this year. Fans around the world, and Cape Verdeans in particular, will surely be mourning this tremendous loss for a long time to come. Read More (in French): La Chanteuse Cesaria Evora est Morte (Le Monde)
Cesaria Evora, 1941-2011 originally appeared on About.com World Music on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at 10:23:56.