Inside World Music 1/23/09 5:35 PM
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Inside World Music
World Music CD reviews, artist profiles, concert reviews, and general articles about music from around the World.
Welcome to Inside Monday, January 19, 2009 World Music CD Review: Meet The Women of Lake Sebu Welcome to Inside World Various Artists Music! This is your one-stop Philippines: Women Artists of Lake Sebu spot for reviews, interviews, Buda Records and resources about World One of the most exciting releases of 2008, Women Artists of Lake Music! Inside World Music is Sebu is a collection of talented women in the village of Dekolon from where the sounds of the the southern part of Phillipines. The instrumental and vocal music on World harmonize. this album is the result of a poetic saga from the Tudbulul Epic, which gave birth to the Tboli nation. In fact, the collective of women singers call themselves Lemhadong, which is named from the location where Tudbulul organized a musical concert in the 1800's. The Tboli Links society inhabited the mountains around Lake Sebu at the south of the Paula's Reviews at Global Mindanao Island in the Philippines. The Tboli society's close Rhythm connection with nature is a primary impetus for musical creation and Inside World Music - instrumentation. Many of the tracks include rooster calls, rain, water, Archived Site birds, frogs, and insects. The instruments include wooden lutes, branches, sticks, leaf horns, reed-whistles, bamboo flutes, fiddles, jaw harps, gongs, and zithers. Only a handful of vocal songs are Blog Archive incorporated, which provide a unique aesthetic listening experience as the instruments and nature sounds envelop the aural landscape. 2009 (5) Liner notes are included for each track in French and English. This is January (5) ideal for fans of lutes, Indonesian/Sasandu string music, and gong music, though everyone should include the Women Artists of Lake CD Review: Meet The Sebu as part of their listening repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss Women of Lake Sebu Posted by Matthew Forss at 2:22 PM 0 comments CD Review: Angelic Voice Labels: instrumental, nature, Philippines, Southeast Asia of Armenia CD Review: Voices of Georgia CD Review: Angelic Voice of Armenia CD Review: Zambia's Mathew Tembo Isabel Bayrakdarian CD Review: A New Era With Gomidas Songs 'Obama' Nonesuch 2008 (34)
Armenia's operatic diva, Isabel Bayrakdarian, performs the traditional songs from Armenia's most celebrated figure in chants and songs, Contributors Gomidas Vartabed. Isabel presents us with examples from his large Mh F http://insideworldmusic.blogspot.com/ Page 1 of 4 Inside World Music 1/23/09 5:35 PM
volume of work crossing many genres, lullabies, and hymns. Detailed Matthew Forss liner notes of Gomidas' musical work are included, as well as Paula E. Kirman Armenian-English translations of song lyrics. Moreover, the songs are divided into categories for 'Children', 'Nature', 'Love', 'Humor', and 'Yearning'. Isabel's vocals are accompanied by duduk, violin, clarinet, doubles bass, and piano on a few songs. The ambiance of the recording echoes a historical tone of contemplation and forlornness. In other words, the music is powerfully emotional and epic. Isabel does not waver and remains vocally strong and precise throughout. A glorious recording not to be missed. ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 2:18 PM 0 comments Labels: Armenia, Caucasus, Gomidas, opera, singer
CD Review: Voices of Georgia Iveroni Heroic and Love Songs of Georgia Beauty Saloon Music
Most listeners familiar with the music of Georgia readily recognize the characteristic polyphonic singing ensembles of the region. Positioned on the Caspian Sea, Georgia is a country of musical influences from neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan. Though, Georgia's musical position in the region may not be as popular with Westerners. Thankfully, Nathaniel Berndt of Beauty Saloon Music, brings to life the music of Iveroni. Typical vocal ensembles from this region do not include instrumentation. However, Iveroni is the exception. On a few tracks, they incorporate a handful of string (lute-like) instruments, including the bass panduri, panduri, salamuri, and changuri. Iveroni's melodic and powerful vocal performances are haunting and mesmerizing. Perfect for world music fans of vocal music and chant. More information can be found at Beauty Saloon Music. ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 2:14 PM 0 comments Labels: Caucasus, Georgia, polyphony, vocals
CD Review: Zambia's Mathew Tembo Mathew Tembo Anthem Independent Release
Mr. Mathew Tembo, a native of Zambia, Africa, brings us music from a nation rarely heard in other parts of the world. Anthem showcases a unique instrument called the silimba, which is similar in design, sound, and function to the balafon. A few different languages are also represented on the tracks, including nsenga, tonga, bemba, chewa, and nyanja. Mathew provides lead vocals and plays the silimba, keyboards, and bass guitar. Additional musicians play drums, native percussion instruments, sax, trombone, and bongos. Every track is upbeat and rhythmically engaging. One reggae-tinged song, 'Kufuma Kujombo' ('From My Boots'), is an especially beautiful song http://insideworldmusic.blogspot.com/ Page 2 of 4 Inside World Music 1/23/09 5:35 PM
that lingers in your mind for hours to come. You will find yourself discovering something new each time you listen to the various tracks. Anthem should be on everyone's listening list for the year. ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 2:11 PM 0 comments Labels: ethnic, marimba, reggae, Zambia
CD Review: A New Era With 'Obama' Fula Flute Mansa America Mulatta/Completely Nuts
A spirited release from the land of Guinea, Mansa America showcases the music of the most popular ethnic group in Guinea: the Fula. In the same manner, the popular traditional instrument of choice is the tambin, which is a diatonic flute. Though, it's presence is widespread from West Africa to Sudan. A mix of vocal and instrumental arrangements includes a variety of instruments including, kora, guitar, congas, balafon, bass, ngoni, trumpet, trombone, and French horn. The opening track, 'Obama', is a fitting dedication to the new president of the United States of America. Each track is delicately arranged and beautifully executed. The instrumentation mix is varied and rich. If you are looking for a fun release of music to bring in the New Year and celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama, then let Mansa America be the soundtrack for 2009! ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 2:04 PM 0 comments Labels: flute, Guinea, Obama, West Africa
Friday, December 19, 2008 CD Review: Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company Paco Pena A Compas! [2 CD] Nimbus
One of the newest releases from Nimbus, Paco Pena and Company brings us an engaging 2-CD set of flamenco music recorded at a live show. From the inserts, you quickly learn of the musicians and dancers. Yet, it is unfortunate you do not get to watch these talented dancers in action. Though, it allows for the listener to be carried off to their own flamenco paradise. It is not difficult to find yourself dancing a bit when listening to any of Paco Pena's music. Flamenco music is such an emotive and passion-infused form of music that Paco Pena certainly explores with such genuine talent and aesthetic sensibilities. Check out his other recordings from Nimbus. ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 10:38 AM 0 comments Labels: dance, flamenco, Paco Pena, Spain
CD Review: Don't Say 'Nay' For The Ney http://insideworldmusic.blogspot.com/ Page 3 of 4 Inside World Music 1/23/09 5:35 PM
Hossein Omoumi The Song of the Ney [2 CD] Nimbus
This 2-CD set of Iranian flute music also features vocals, daf, doumbak, and tar. The repertoire explores the dastgah and avaz modal systems. Though, the ney is the wind instrument most commonly heard throughout the Middle East and it is also one of the oldest instruments in the world. Hossein's mastery of the ney showcases the various levels of skill required to perform classical music in a traditional context. The talented expertise of Hossein and his accompaniment on disc two, solidifies the incredible breadth of intensive study in Iranian classical music. Consequently, listeners of classical music, Middle East/Central Asian music, and North African specialists will relish the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the ney. ~ Matthew Forss Posted by Matthew Forss at 10:09 AM 0 comments Labels: classical, flute, Iran, Middle East, Ney
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