In June we finish with the younger students on ukuleles in the first weeks, then move to some fun stations with the students having the opportunity to try out different instruments. The older students choose between guitars or playing at the stations.
June 2-6
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Niger
Les Filles de Illighadad-Tende (6:20) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAOG9nhrt8) This is a traditional song from Niger. As I note below, I love that Tuareg Desert Blues sound!
Wodaabe Gerewol Festival (1:37) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh2pOqViOyo) The Wodaabe in the south of Niger have an ancient, repetitive, hypnotic and percussive choral tradition. This is demonstrated at this festival. I headed off to find and example, and then had the pleasure of learning what the festival is all about. The men dress up, wear makeup and fancy costumes and do their singing. The women are there to judge the men and choose a partner!
Mdou Moctar-Imouhar (Live at Glastonbury 2024) (7:50) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QaON8iMZeM) My students know by now that I'm pleased any time we wander up to the Sahara and countries where the 'desert blues' are big. And Mdou Moctar, from Niger, is a huge international name in desert blues, which is very big in Niger. You're welcome.
Molo Lute-Mohamed Molo (0:29) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgnh_VyzRA) The molo is the traditional lute of the Hausa and Songhai people of Niger. And here we see the deep and ancient roots of the desert blues!!
June 9-13
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Tonga
Mako Dance (1:41) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLHjPaawA-w) A Mako is a fast-paced energetic dance typically performed by young men. There wasn't any description with this but it looks like a dad with his sons and it's adorable.
BLKB3RY - Ha'ele Ki Pilitania (7:07) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCJrIhKVOf8) Here is a modern recording artist doing quite traditional music in Tonga. The song is sung in Tongan.
Lā mai lā mai pelee Traditional Tongan Chant (1:16) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Amr0qBukuQ) Here is an older recording of a traditional chant.
The Jets-Crush On You (3:42) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a2GfvPF0_8) In the 'I couldn't resist' file is this beauty from 1986-The Jets are/were a Tongan/American band big in the 80's and 90's. Here is one of their catchy hits!
June 16-20
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Cape Verde
Morna music-Cesaria Evora-Rotcha Scribida (1995 Paris Live) (7:29) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfUARGzNqY0&list=RDWfUARGzNqY0&start_radio=1) Morna is a music developed in Cape Verde and immensely popular. Cesária Évora is the biggest name in morna-well known around the world. Here she performs live in Paris in 1995. She passed away in 2011. For me it's a melancholy music reminiscent of Fado music from Portugal. Although established by the Portuguese (nobody lived on the islands when discovered) the people speak a Cape Verdean form of Creole.
Cavaquinho (1:04) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cILU9TpQwxA&list=RDcILU9TpQwxA&start_radio=1) Cavaquinho is a popular instrument in Cape Verde. It is a traditional four-stringed instrument originating in Portugal. Strings can be wire or nylon. I think Pereira here is playing wire strings which gives it quite a different voice to the ukulele.
Coladeira Cabo Verde-Evander Peps (4:50) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrBUIFnwAMo&list=PLS7dRRpLTl5yUvd7m1Qe4VBPlyrQxfy7e) Morna music evolved into Coladeira music-a faster lighter-hearted form.
Kino Cabral-Mudansa-Funana Music (4:32) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFuHQF9VVN0&list=RDATfeZnVuYW5h&start_radio=1) Funana is an accordion-based music born in and very popular in Cape Verde (accordion based forms of music are often popular in Creolophone countries!
June 23-26
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Kyrgyzstan