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What is a Sitar?

Get to know this fascinating and complicated Classical Indian musical instrument!

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Megan's World Music Blog

Happy 65th Birthday, Bob Marley!

Saturday February 6, 2010

If he were still alive, Bob Marley would be turning 65 today, which would mean, of course, that he would finally be eligible for the senior discount at restaurants and movie theaters across America. Oh, and also that he likely would've been recording and playing for another few decades, thus his body of work would've been massive, I'm guessing. At any rate, birthdays are happy days, so why not say a little toast to the legend with your dinner tonight, and if it's been awhile since you've popped in a Bob Marley CD, today would be a great day to do so!

More About Bob Marley

2010 Grammy Awards Winners

Monday February 1, 2010
Well, the awards are over, the winners are announced, and here we are. The terrific Mamadou Diabate has finally received some of the recognition he deserves, and Bela Fleck is going to have to rearrange his mantlepiece again. Other world music winners, scattered throughout various and sundry categories, include Buckwheat Zydeco, Ziggy Marley, and Dobet Gnahore. Read the full list of world music winners, and when you're all through, tell us who you think should've won in the world music categories! I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Happy 100th Birthday, Django!

Thursday January 21, 2010

Django Reinhardt, the man who pioneered gypsy jazz, would've turned 100 on Saturday, January 23. He was the original, and most people agree that he was the best -- despite losing the use of two fingers on his left hand, he created a style that was so intricate and powerful that people dedicate their lives to studying its nuances today. Basically, I am not as good at anything as Django was at guitar. Actually, most people aren't, so maybe I shouldn't feel too bad.

I came over to Paris to celebrate this monumental anniversary. (Okay, that's a lie; I'm here on normal vacation... I only noticed the coincidence once I arrived.) There is something special about being in this city of bals musettes and manouche swing during an anniversary like this one, though, and I've made myself a Metro playlist to celebrate. Being the kind and sharing sort, I thought I'd let you in on it, too: Essential Django Reinhardt Playlist. While I was at it, I thought you die-hard Djangophiles out there might be willing to share your favorites as well, so let us know: What's Your Favorite Django Song? Lastly, I am currently accepting Paris restaurant recommendations, because I love eating as much as music (come to think of it, I might be as good at eating as Django was at playing guitar). Feel free to leave a comment on any or all of those things!

Album cover art (c) Blue Note Records, 1996

Recordings from 2010's globalFEST Available on NPR

Monday January 18, 2010

2010's incarnation of globalFEST, an annual world music festival held every January in New York City, was, by all accounts, a fantastic night of musical discovery. If you, like me, didn't get to attend, head on over to NPR's All Songs Considered, where you can listen to live recordings of several songs (with more to come, I'm told). I've listened to most of them so far, and I'm particularly enjoying the song "Suzy" from French group Caravan Palace, who have a distinctly Paris-chic sound.

Did you make it to globalFEST 2010? If so, did you discover anything new and fabulous? Leave a comment and let us know!

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