Around the World Music Blogosphere
Saturday September 6, 2008
And once again, it's time for a trip around the world music blogosphere to see what some of my fellow bliggity-bloggers are thinking, hearing, and listening to:
World Music Central is reporting that yet again, heinous visa issues are keeping artists from sharing their music with the American people. This time, it's Spain-based artist Buika who has been forced to cancel her show, as a few members of her band are Cuban (though based in Spain) and those members have been denied visas. Grrr. The horrendous visa issues that face world music artists who wish to perform in the U.S. are more than just a pet peeve of mine. I feel strongly that world music is the most accessible window into other cultures of the world, and by denying deserving artists entry into the states, the government is denying Americans the opportunity to actually learn something about people who might be (gasp!) different from us in one way or another, thus furthering the trend toward multi-cultural ignorance.
On a more fun note, SoundRoots has a review of an album called Police in Dub which is, predictably, covers of The Police songs done in a reggae style. These flash-in-the-pan cover albums (which are more commonly produced than you might think) tend to kind of annoy me, and SoundRoots's S.A. Stevens seems to be on the same wavelength.
Calcopyrite Communications reports of a news item - apparently there's a book called Daring Book for Girls that is quite popular around the world. I, as you know, live in a box with no doors or windows and have not heard of this book, but the recent Australian version suggested that girls play the didgeridoo. Uh, whoops. In Aboriginal tradition, the didgeridoo is a males-only instrument. Now, I'm not a huge fan of upholding misogynistic tradition, but I agree with Patricia that a little cultural sensitivity (ahem - and research) once in awhile might be nice.
And Steve Hochman over at Spinner.com introduces us to Kayhan Kalhor, a virtuosic Iranian spike-fiddle player who worked with Yo-Yo Ma on the Silk Road Project, and who has now teamed up with the Brooklyn-based string quartet Brooklyn Rider. I haven't yet heard this album, but Steve is extremely complimentary, and I consistently agree with his taste, so I can't wait to hear it. And a hundred million bonus points to Kayhan Kalhor for the following quote:
"My personal goal and wish is to make people realize that a citizen of any country does not represent their politicians, nor should they," Kahlor insists. "And to say that musicians are cultural ambassadors of any culture, not the political one.
Hear, hear!
World Music Central is reporting that yet again, heinous visa issues are keeping artists from sharing their music with the American people. This time, it's Spain-based artist Buika who has been forced to cancel her show, as a few members of her band are Cuban (though based in Spain) and those members have been denied visas. Grrr. The horrendous visa issues that face world music artists who wish to perform in the U.S. are more than just a pet peeve of mine. I feel strongly that world music is the most accessible window into other cultures of the world, and by denying deserving artists entry into the states, the government is denying Americans the opportunity to actually learn something about people who might be (gasp!) different from us in one way or another, thus furthering the trend toward multi-cultural ignorance.
On a more fun note, SoundRoots has a review of an album called Police in Dub which is, predictably, covers of The Police songs done in a reggae style. These flash-in-the-pan cover albums (which are more commonly produced than you might think) tend to kind of annoy me, and SoundRoots's S.A. Stevens seems to be on the same wavelength.
Calcopyrite Communications reports of a news item - apparently there's a book called Daring Book for Girls that is quite popular around the world. I, as you know, live in a box with no doors or windows and have not heard of this book, but the recent Australian version suggested that girls play the didgeridoo. Uh, whoops. In Aboriginal tradition, the didgeridoo is a males-only instrument. Now, I'm not a huge fan of upholding misogynistic tradition, but I agree with Patricia that a little cultural sensitivity (ahem - and research) once in awhile might be nice.
And Steve Hochman over at Spinner.com introduces us to Kayhan Kalhor, a virtuosic Iranian spike-fiddle player who worked with Yo-Yo Ma on the Silk Road Project, and who has now teamed up with the Brooklyn-based string quartet Brooklyn Rider. I haven't yet heard this album, but Steve is extremely complimentary, and I consistently agree with his taste, so I can't wait to hear it. And a hundred million bonus points to Kayhan Kalhor for the following quote:
"My personal goal and wish is to make people realize that a citizen of any country does not represent their politicians, nor should they," Kahlor insists. "And to say that musicians are cultural ambassadors of any culture, not the political one.
Hear, hear!
Comments
Thanks for the mention. I, too, dislike seemingly arbitrary misogyny based on cultural or religious grounds, just like I dislike polygamy in some Muslim countries, or the rules against women serving as celebrants in certain Christian and Jewish congregations. But we have to respect them. That’s the price of civilization. I think sensitivity towards other peoples’ beliefs would go a long way towards solving some of our bigger problems.
Absolutely, Patricia! Cross-cultural understanding is the only way we’re ever gonna get this whole wide world figured out, and it never ceases to amaze me how people insist on imposing their own cultural mores and values (and superstitions, and traditions) on other cultures.
The only thing I want other cultures to force on me is their music and art. And I hereby promise to return the favor whenever possible.