Music World Tour
August 22, 2010 7:47 PM Subscribe
Take me on a music world tour - what are your favorite non-Western songs?
They can be from any time period, from any region of the world. Just not The US/Canada/Europe (whatever you would consider "Western" music). I'm interested in hearing what other sounds are out there. MP3 or YouTube links are best. I'm looking for specific songs rather than styles or regions.
They can be from any time period, from any region of the world. Just not The US/Canada/Europe (whatever you would consider "Western" music). I'm interested in hearing what other sounds are out there. MP3 or YouTube links are best. I'm looking for specific songs rather than styles or regions.
Kaze Wo Atsumete by Happy End. Courtesy of the Lost in Translation soundtrack. Early 70s Japanese folk as far as I can tell.
posted by fso at 8:02 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by fso at 8:02 PM on August 22, 2010
The Choir of All Saints, Honiara- God yu tekkem laef blong mi (From The Thin Red Line)
posted by puritycontrol at 9:18 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by puritycontrol at 9:18 PM on August 22, 2010
There's a fantastic collection of Ethiopian Jazz called Ethiopiques. CD #4 is the best one I've heard. You may have heard it in the Jarmusch film Broken Flowers.
Here's one of the tracks.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:34 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Here's one of the tracks.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:34 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Hamlet Gonashvili — "Orovela." It's a folk song from the Republic of Georgia, and Gonashvili's performance is just heart-stopping.
(Also, you might take a look at fonotopia, which showed up on the Blue today.)
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:40 PM on August 22, 2010
(Also, you might take a look at fonotopia, which showed up on the Blue today.)
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:40 PM on August 22, 2010
I have always had a soft spot for Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (now part of the South Africa national anthem, although this is the original hymn used as an anti-Apartheid standard). It gives me chills.
posted by gemmy at 10:14 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by gemmy at 10:14 PM on August 22, 2010
One of my favorite sources for new music from around the world is Dj / rupture's radio show/podcast Mudd Up!
posted by mannequito at 10:21 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by mannequito at 10:21 PM on August 22, 2010
I'm not claiming all of these tracks are without Western influence.
Georgia: Nino Katamadze "Once in the street"
Russia: Olga Chikina
Bulgarian: Les Mystere Des Vox Bulgares: Koji Lio
Spanish: Andres Segovia playing Asturias
Indian/Bollywood: Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka
African war drums.
posted by fake at 10:27 PM on August 22, 2010
Georgia: Nino Katamadze "Once in the street"
Russia: Olga Chikina
Bulgarian: Les Mystere Des Vox Bulgares: Koji Lio
Spanish: Andres Segovia playing Asturias
Indian/Bollywood: Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka
African war drums.
posted by fake at 10:27 PM on August 22, 2010
- Hoahio: Marimo, Less than lovers, more than friends, Happy mail
- Yamaguchi Goro: Sokaku Reibo (link is to the shortened version that went out with Voyager II)
- Benjamin Britten (composer): Curlew River (link is to the climactic scene; the whole thing is incredible)
- Takemitsu Toru (composer): Uninterrupted rests
posted by No-sword at 10:48 PM on August 22, 2010
- Yamaguchi Goro: Sokaku Reibo (link is to the shortened version that went out with Voyager II)
- Benjamin Britten (composer): Curlew River (link is to the climactic scene; the whole thing is incredible)
- Takemitsu Toru (composer): Uninterrupted rests
posted by No-sword at 10:48 PM on August 22, 2010
Oh, Britten was from the UK, but Curlew River is heavily Noh-influenced.
posted by No-sword at 10:53 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by No-sword at 10:53 PM on August 22, 2010
YouTube is a bit of a wasteland when it comes to real, authentic Bulgarian singing, so I've taken the liberty of uploading ten songs from my personal collection.
Sichka je gora gora zelena (Spring Harvest Song) - Mehrema Kichilieva, Aishe Sadakova, & Albena Kisjova
Zbirajte Se, Momi, Na Sedenkja (Sedenka Song) - Group of Six Women, Cerna Gova
La Bulgarie attristée (Historic Song) - Pernik Region, Kladnitsa
Fifty Comrades Are Drinking Wine - Pernik Region, Kladnitsa
Pchelitse medna ilyadna (You Thousand-Breeding Honey-Bee) 1980 - Vocal Group, St. Lazar's Day (Darvenitsa, Sofia)
Zhatvarska (Harvest Song) - Sofia Region : Gabra & Ihtiman
Jelica Se V Gorica Preveva (Wedding Song) - Sevda Kostadinova Velcheva & Gina Georgina Goncheva
Edno Devojche Po Dvore Sheta - Ivanka Delsizova & Dunja Fetova
Slantseto e na zaoda (The Sun Is Setting) 1976 - Women's Vocal Group (Kalishe, MW Bulgaria)
Karaj, Boje, Na Kraj Da Karame (Harvest Song) - Nevena Veneva P'rzhova & Jovka Taneva
posted by mykescipark at 11:48 PM on August 22, 2010 [3 favorites]
Sichka je gora gora zelena (Spring Harvest Song) - Mehrema Kichilieva, Aishe Sadakova, & Albena Kisjova
Zbirajte Se, Momi, Na Sedenkja (Sedenka Song) - Group of Six Women, Cerna Gova
La Bulgarie attristée (Historic Song) - Pernik Region, Kladnitsa
Fifty Comrades Are Drinking Wine - Pernik Region, Kladnitsa
Pchelitse medna ilyadna (You Thousand-Breeding Honey-Bee) 1980 - Vocal Group, St. Lazar's Day (Darvenitsa, Sofia)
Zhatvarska (Harvest Song) - Sofia Region : Gabra & Ihtiman
Jelica Se V Gorica Preveva (Wedding Song) - Sevda Kostadinova Velcheva & Gina Georgina Goncheva
Edno Devojche Po Dvore Sheta - Ivanka Delsizova & Dunja Fetova
Slantseto e na zaoda (The Sun Is Setting) 1976 - Women's Vocal Group (Kalishe, MW Bulgaria)
Karaj, Boje, Na Kraj Da Karame (Harvest Song) - Nevena Veneva P'rzhova & Jovka Taneva
posted by mykescipark at 11:48 PM on August 22, 2010 [3 favorites]
(I have literally thousands more of these but I'd rather point you towards the right albums to buy if you like it)
posted by mykescipark at 11:50 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by mykescipark at 11:50 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Japanese oldie:
Takuro Yoshida - Kekkon Shiyou Yo
Japanese pop/reggae:
Kusuo - Dear Grandma
Indonesian pop:
Letto - Sampai Nanti, Sampai Mati
Peterpan - Menghapus Jejakmu
posted by illenion at 12:11 AM on August 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Takuro Yoshida - Kekkon Shiyou Yo
Japanese pop/reggae:
Kusuo - Dear Grandma
Indonesian pop:
Letto - Sampai Nanti, Sampai Mati
Peterpan - Menghapus Jejakmu
posted by illenion at 12:11 AM on August 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Salsa -
Hector Lavoe - El Cantante
Hector Lavoe - Bandolera
Latin Jazz/Salsa:
Francisco Aguabella - El Agua Limpia Todo
Egyptian Percussion/Spanish (flamenco) guitar:
Hossam Ramzy & Rafa El Tachuela - Rumbapa!
Puerto Rican Trio Music:
Trio Los Condes - Querube
Puerto Rican Danza Music:
Luis Miranda (composer) - v=ylbmZjOYIPI">Impromptu
posted by lizarrd at 1:04 AM on August 23, 2010
Hector Lavoe - El Cantante
Hector Lavoe - Bandolera
Latin Jazz/Salsa:
Francisco Aguabella - El Agua Limpia Todo
Egyptian Percussion/Spanish (flamenco) guitar:
Hossam Ramzy & Rafa El Tachuela - Rumbapa!
Puerto Rican Trio Music:
Trio Los Condes - Querube
Puerto Rican Danza Music:
Luis Miranda (composer) - v=ylbmZjOYIPI">Impromptu
posted by lizarrd at 1:04 AM on August 23, 2010
Grr that link got screwed up. Here is a fixed version:
Luis Miranda (composer) - Impromptu
posted by lizarrd at 1:04 AM on August 23, 2010
Luis Miranda (composer) - Impromptu
posted by lizarrd at 1:04 AM on August 23, 2010
If you haven't already, I highly recommend Sigur Ros from Iceland. Every album I've ever heard of theirs is a priceless gem. Here are two of my favorites by them - Starálfur and Svefn-g-englar
I also love the music of Nitin Sawhney. While not necessarily Indian (he was born and raised in England), his music is deeply infused with rich Indian melodies. My favorite two picks from his solo career are Nadia and Homeland.
I have many others in my music collection, but these two stand out as the best. If I can remember some others, I'll post again. :) Happy aural travels!
posted by feeshbitZ at 1:30 AM on August 23, 2010
I also love the music of Nitin Sawhney. While not necessarily Indian (he was born and raised in England), his music is deeply infused with rich Indian melodies. My favorite two picks from his solo career are Nadia and Homeland.
I have many others in my music collection, but these two stand out as the best. If I can remember some others, I'll post again. :) Happy aural travels!
posted by feeshbitZ at 1:30 AM on August 23, 2010
My introduction to enka was through the songs of Misora Hibari, one of the greatest artists of the genre. Now enka is considered old people's music, but it still makes me happy! And luckily, Misora Hibari is well-represented on the Youtubes.
真っ赤な太陽
車屋さん
花笠道中
リンゴ追分
Omatsuri Mambo
上を向いて歩こう
The first one is extremely groovy. The last one you may recognize as a cover of "Sukiyaki," which was a hit in the United States. The real title is of course not "Sukiyaki" and the lyrics have nothing to do with "Sukiyaki" and I could GRAR for ages at decades-old racism but I won't.
(These are some of my favorites, but there is much more out there if you search her name, either as "Misora Hibari" or "美空ひばり.")
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 1:38 AM on August 23, 2010
真っ赤な太陽
車屋さん
花笠道中
リンゴ追分
Omatsuri Mambo
上を向いて歩こう
The first one is extremely groovy. The last one you may recognize as a cover of "Sukiyaki," which was a hit in the United States. The real title is of course not "Sukiyaki" and the lyrics have nothing to do with "Sukiyaki" and I could GRAR for ages at decades-old racism but I won't.
(These are some of my favorites, but there is much more out there if you search her name, either as "Misora Hibari" or "美空ひばり.")
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 1:38 AM on August 23, 2010
What the hell, I can write another comment before bed.
Another style of music that I enjoy is molam (also mo lam, mor lam, etc) from Thailand. Here is a famous molam artist, Banyen Rakgan (บานเย็น รากแก่น):
งิ้วตองต้อนอ้อนผู้บ่าว
เบิ่งนครพนม
Another thai artist I really enjoy is Siriporn Ampaipong (ศิริพร อำไพพงษ์), who is sometimes described as a molam artist. The boundaries between molam, luk thung, and other styles of popular music in Thailand isn't really all that clear, though.
โบว์รักสีดำ
บ่เหงาบ่คึดฮอด
I'm glad you asked for video. These really are better in color! I'd never seen some of these before.
so much old people music, so tragically unhip
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 1:51 AM on August 23, 2010
Another style of music that I enjoy is molam (also mo lam, mor lam, etc) from Thailand. Here is a famous molam artist, Banyen Rakgan (บานเย็น รากแก่น):
งิ้วตองต้อนอ้อนผู้บ่าว
เบิ่งนครพนม
Another thai artist I really enjoy is Siriporn Ampaipong (ศิริพร อำไพพงษ์), who is sometimes described as a molam artist. The boundaries between molam, luk thung, and other styles of popular music in Thailand isn't really all that clear, though.
โบว์รักสีดำ
บ่เหงาบ่คึดฮอด
I'm glad you asked for video. These really are better in color! I'd never seen some of these before.
so much old people music, so tragically unhip
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 1:51 AM on August 23, 2010
Konono no.1 are outstanding. They are a musical ensemble from Congo who utilize thumb pianos amplified to the point of distortion and bucketloads of percussion.
Lufuala Ndonga
posted by ianK at 6:43 AM on August 23, 2010
Lufuala Ndonga
posted by ianK at 6:43 AM on August 23, 2010
I'm really fond of Nigerian Hip Hop- Bracket's a particular favorite.
Yori Yori
No Time
D'banj is also worth checking out.
Also, if you like things a bit more Americanized, Emmanuel Jal of Sudan has some amazing stuff.
posted by Cracky at 7:35 AM on August 23, 2010
Yori Yori
No Time
D'banj is also worth checking out.
Also, if you like things a bit more Americanized, Emmanuel Jal of Sudan has some amazing stuff.
posted by Cracky at 7:35 AM on August 23, 2010
Also- check out Mazaher and Makan- Makan is founded and run by an ethnomusicologist, and the musicians and performers they gather are usually really amazing.
posted by Cracky at 7:44 AM on August 23, 2010
posted by Cracky at 7:44 AM on August 23, 2010
It's gotten some exposure in the west, but I could listen to Chaiyya Chaiyya a whole lot more before I got tired of it.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:14 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:14 PM on August 23, 2010
Oh damn, pretty much anything by Soda Stereo!
They are my favorite "I don't understand what the hell they are saying" band ever.
Disco Eterno (MTV) - Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo - La ciudad de la Furia unplugged
Zoom - Soda Stereo- MTV Unplugged
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 12:20 PM on August 23, 2010
They are my favorite "I don't understand what the hell they are saying" band ever.
Disco Eterno (MTV) - Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo - La ciudad de la Furia unplugged
Zoom - Soda Stereo- MTV Unplugged
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 12:20 PM on August 23, 2010
Two South Indian classical songs:
Akshaya linga vibho (Primordial Tongue) composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar
Emi jesite nemi (What's the Use of Anything) by Tyagaraja
The second recording cuts off before the end of the song. There's another version available on playme.
posted by nangar at 2:12 PM on August 23, 2010
Akshaya linga vibho (Primordial Tongue) composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar
Emi jesite nemi (What's the Use of Anything) by Tyagaraja
The second recording cuts off before the end of the song. There's another version available on playme.
posted by nangar at 2:12 PM on August 23, 2010
I can't resist this thread.
One of my favorite traditional instruments is the gayageum, which is a kind of Korean zither. The artist Byungki Hwang is one of the most famous masters of this instrument, and there are quite a few videos of his music on youtube.
Beside A Chrysanthemum (with vocals)
Hamadan (absolutely beautiful)
More videos.
The gayageum is also used in folk music. This video, which I just found yesterday while looking for gayageum videos on youtube, is joyously irresistible. It features two folk artists who play the gayageum and sing a folk song about birds.
This is probably a really annoying suggestion, but my last.fm music library contains a lot of non-western artists, many of whom have samples or full tracks on the site. (If not, you can often find them on youtube.) It's here.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 2:15 PM on August 23, 2010
One of my favorite traditional instruments is the gayageum, which is a kind of Korean zither. The artist Byungki Hwang is one of the most famous masters of this instrument, and there are quite a few videos of his music on youtube.
Beside A Chrysanthemum (with vocals)
Hamadan (absolutely beautiful)
More videos.
The gayageum is also used in folk music. This video, which I just found yesterday while looking for gayageum videos on youtube, is joyously irresistible. It features two folk artists who play the gayageum and sing a folk song about birds.
This is probably a really annoying suggestion, but my last.fm music library contains a lot of non-western artists, many of whom have samples or full tracks on the site. (If not, you can often find them on youtube.) It's here.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 2:15 PM on August 23, 2010
Some old israeli favorites:
Teshah Bakikar
Kol Halel Ani Beganech
And I really like Bankiero by Mory Kante
posted by wittgenstein at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2010
Teshah Bakikar
Kol Halel Ani Beganech
And I really like Bankiero by Mory Kante
posted by wittgenstein at 2:46 PM on August 23, 2010
May as well keep this rolling. A few items from the Sublime Frequencies label:
From Iraq: Souad Abdullah's Unknown and Choubi Choubi by an unknown artist. From the amazing Choubi! Choubi! compilation.
Wazan Samat by Group Doueh of Western Sahara.
Blue Basket (unknown artist) from the Cambodian Cassette Archives.
Kheng 4 from Ethnic Minority Music of North Vietnam.
posted by mykescipark at 4:30 PM on August 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
From Iraq: Souad Abdullah's Unknown and Choubi Choubi by an unknown artist. From the amazing Choubi! Choubi! compilation.
Wazan Samat by Group Doueh of Western Sahara.
Blue Basket (unknown artist) from the Cambodian Cassette Archives.
Kheng 4 from Ethnic Minority Music of North Vietnam.
posted by mykescipark at 4:30 PM on August 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
Teresa Teng is a very famous Chinese pop singer from Taiwan during 1980s and early 1990s.
Two of her greatest hits are:
The Moon Represents My Heart 月亮代表我的心
When Will You Return? 何日君再來
I also love:
I only care about you 我只在乎你
How much worry 幾多愁
She could also sings in Japanese too!
I only care about you
つぐない
posted by Carius at 6:18 PM on August 23, 2010
Two of her greatest hits are:
The Moon Represents My Heart 月亮代表我的心
When Will You Return? 何日君再來
I also love:
I only care about you 我只在乎你
How much worry 幾多愁
She could also sings in Japanese too!
I only care about you
つぐない
posted by Carius at 6:18 PM on August 23, 2010
Just a few for now:
Traditional Chinese pipa instrumental - an excellent fingerpicking jam:
阳春白雪
Mandarin mellow electronica/dreampop:
Carrchy - 日光倾城
Cantonese version of the traditional-tinged "Once Upon a Time in China" opening:
George Lam - 男兒當自強
Japanese synthy techno pop + rap:
Just Be Friends (feat. Zebra and Rapbit)
Shamisen and rock from Japan, in English:
Monkey Majik - Change
80's Indian pop (in Hindi?):
Nazia Hassan - Aap Jaisa Koi
Korean rock (via this excellent FPP):
Chang Ki-ha and The Faces - 달이 차오른다, 가자
Korean (13-member) boy band dance pop:
Super Junior - It's You
posted by cobwebberies at 1:34 PM on August 29, 2010
Traditional Chinese pipa instrumental - an excellent fingerpicking jam:
阳春白雪
Mandarin mellow electronica/dreampop:
Carrchy - 日光倾城
Cantonese version of the traditional-tinged "Once Upon a Time in China" opening:
George Lam - 男兒當自強
Japanese synthy techno pop + rap:
Just Be Friends (feat. Zebra and Rapbit)
Shamisen and rock from Japan, in English:
Monkey Majik - Change
80's Indian pop (in Hindi?):
Nazia Hassan - Aap Jaisa Koi
Korean rock (via this excellent FPP):
Chang Ki-ha and The Faces - 달이 차오른다, 가자
Korean (13-member) boy band dance pop:
Super Junior - It's You
posted by cobwebberies at 1:34 PM on August 29, 2010
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posted by robotot at 7:56 PM on August 22, 2010 [5 favorites]