January 6-10
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Lesotho
mamokhorong (4:09) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5FnUOC41Zs) Sometimes known as the Basotho violin, the mamokhorong is a metal can, stick and string instrument handmade!
Famo Music (3:57) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=safXbLv1qfc) Famous music or Sesotho music often features an accordion and oil drum. For me it sounds a bit like Zydeco music from New Orleans!
Basotho Traditional Song and Dance (4:19) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5wlqobF8Wo) Here is some traditional song and dance from Lesotho.
Choral Music-Lesotho (5:18) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAzx59w_So) Choir music is extremely popular in South Africa and Lesotho. There are important competitions and many of these choirs tour!
January 13-17
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Central African Republic
mbela (1:59) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTnVb_JVlWc) The pygmy and Ngbaka people of CAR use this instrument.
sanza=Démonstration avec un sanza "piano à pouces" par les frères Makouaya (1:54) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox3I_m-Rdf4&list=RDQMYacIoMk6OGQ&start_radio=1) The sanza is the version of thumb piano used by the people of CAR. These two musicians are fabulous!
banda polyphonic music (4:25) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21GWpSF6Cs) I usually don't do 'picture' or slide videos. CAR is very poor and so I couldn't find a live video of this, but I read about the importance of the ancient bando or polyphonic music-they play on a sort of trumpet made of wood or antelope horn-and orchestras often have 18 trumpets. Here is a piece to listen to.
Idylle Mamba-Sango et vous (9:43) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_oaHMAU9v4&list=PLaxZsmI2Mj3CSj6UEESQYH4IRQVm9_AHq) Idylle Mamba is a well known French speaking singer from the Central African Republic.
January 20-24
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Benin
Tout Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo-Finlin Ho (5:28) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUa8HSclb54) This is a favourite funk, afrobeat and jazz band from Cotonou in Benin.
Gangbe Brass Band-Live-Les Vrais Amis (4:39) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0p8cZD9A3E) Gangbe means 'sound of metal' in the Fon language. This band plays traditional jùjú and Vodou music from Benin.
Sagbohan Danialou (8:59) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyFR3-jkTLc) Danialou is another extremely popular and well known musician from Benin.
Angélique Kidjo-(&Davido)-Joy (2:54) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LiSJN9ISw) Angélique Kiddo is the biggest name star from Benin. She is a 5 time Grammy winner! Here is a very recent song.
January 27-31
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Trinidad and Tobago
Calypso Rose-Calypso Queen (3:13) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-j-tPbOfYQ) Calypso Rose, born in 1940 and from Trinidad and Tobago is considered the Queen of Calpyso. She has more than 1000 songs and more than 20 albums. The 'Calypso King' competition was renamed 'Calypso Monarch' due to her dominance in the field.
Chris Garcia-Chutney Bacchanal (7:33) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVCNaYCanow) Chutney is a fusion of Indian folk with Caribbean calypso and soca music. This is a well known song and artist from Trinidad and Tobago.
Steel Pan-Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra-Curry Tabanca (8:17) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWcwonrBw0w). Steel pan orchestras are popular throughout the Caribbean and some of the most famous are from Trinidad and Tobago.
Tamboo Bamboo (1:09) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdthjB439E4)
Considered to be a precursor to steel pan, tamboo bamboo was developed
in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1880's after the British banned drums.
This is a very Trinidadian art form.