WHAT IS WORLD MUSIC?

Wikapedia says the classical definition of World Music is

"the traditional music or folk music of a culture that is created and played by indigenous musicians and is closely related to the music of the regions of its origins."

But to me...

World Music is like shifting sand...it varies and moves...through air & on the wind...feeding my soul with exotic sounds...transporting me to its place of origin...to another time and place...to another culture.

What is your perspective..???


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It's a tough one to define and please everyone. The encyclopaedic definition wouldn't include Lithuanian drum and bass... though if it also included a "Lithuanian Traditional Pipe" - then wouldn't that qualify?

The purist approach of only "traditional music or folk music of a culture that is created and played by indigenous musicians" would already rule out many bands that feature at events like Womad.

A stab at a broader definition....

World Music expresses the vibrancy of music from all cultures. It can be influenced by traditional or folk music and fused with modern or western influences, or for the purist only use traditional instruments played by indigenous musicians.

Hmm... could read better... any word-smiths want to fix it?
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I'd suggest making the title simple and inviting. Yesterday, I spotted this new forum, and at first thought, that is an intimitdating forum for people who know a lot about music, and nothing to do with me. Now that title suggestions are being asked for, I realise that travel and music does mean something to me, if it does not look too complicated.
For example, when I am travelling to someplace in Europe, I generally look at the following site, to choose which heavy metal bars and clubs I could visit in the destination. http://www.metaltravelguide.com/

I think, it is good if people who know a lot abuut music are moderating the forum, but the forum itself needs to look like it will welcome everybody.
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In response to: Msg #154842

Hi Ali,

I also do not agree with the classical definition.

I ask the question because there is NO clinical definition...all a matter of perspective.

Some say "any genre other than western pop culture" but to me there are many shades of grey.

And to Travelbloggers...hopefully wonderfully subjective...reflections of their travels.

Good entry for a cool definition...catering for general populous and the purist.

Love the first sentence:

World Music expresses the vibrancy of music from all cultures.

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In response to: Msg #154844

Hi Shane,

Japanese composer, Russian singer, but sung in Russian, Latin and English...very cool entry.

Isn't it nice to hear a bit of Latin...transporting me to school...others to Mass.

And your definition...thought it was a re-write of Ali's until closer look...but you will be pleased to note the panel has given you the thumbs up.!


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Does Rammstein qualify as World Music?

Now that's a Question.

Id say music like all art is an experession of emotion, and human beings experience the full range of emotions, in all countries of the world, so all music can be world music if it wants to be.

Music and art can even express unallowed or repressed emotion. It is hardly surprising that Germany where open expression of anger is frowned upon and all aspects of life are overly organised and legislated, is considered by many as the home of heavy metal, because so much anger and frustration is expressed with heavy metal. We can express and/or release our anger and frustration by cranking up our heavy metal here, until we are calmly asked to turn it down, in accordance with noise law number something or other.

The purist approach ....

or fused with external influences....

What would the purists make of the following external influence?

Arian Band & Chris De Burgh - Dostet Daram - A Light For Eternity -
( The Words I Love You )

In Spring 2008, Ferryman Productions made an unprecedented announcement shocking the global mainstream media and the Iranian artistic community, as well; the outstanding and renowned Irish singer Chris de Burgh planned to travel to Iran to record some tracks with the popular Irananian band, Arian, and will return to Iran in November for a joint concert...

Chris de Burgh with Iranian resistance - the road to freedom persian subtitled

chris de burgh - the road to freedom, Live for Iranian people, persian subtitle, in support of iranian freedom fighters, Persian, Marjan,, freedom, music, Iran, song, music, classic, azadi, Iran, Hip Hop, Rap, Iranian Rap, Persian music, persian rap, rock, Azadi, Iran, Tehran, Teheran, Revolution, War for peace, Down with dictator, Free Iran, Freedom, 2009, irooni, irani, sonati, classic, piano, song, ashraf, great song, new, bahal, desert, old, history, satar, mirza, jang, esteghlal, bejang ta bejangim, jang, marjange, persia, neda, sohrab, hanif, khashm, margh bar dictator, margh bar shah, margh bar khamenei, shiraz, isfahan, mashhad, rasht, babol, tabriz, mojahedin, mojahed, ashraf, rajavi, jang ta azadi, Freedom, Azadi,

Interview with Sky News



Interview with Parsnewz

[Edited: 2012 Apr 18 06:38 - Mell:49612 ]

[Edited: 2012 May 18 15:52 - Ali:1 - please use [youtube=XYZ] thanks!]

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I had the pleasure of working in a record shop for a couple of years, way back when people actually left the comfort of homes to buy music and it was the clearly a great job (shockingly low paid though) but classifying music into specific genres is actually a lot harder than it sounds especially as artists now have a tendency to blend and fuse different musical styles to create some really interesting stuff. I've heard metal with so much electronica in it I was reluctant to put it in either, rock albums with massive classical interludes... The possibilities are endless!

How about pop? How do you classify that? Popular? Rammstein are massively popular in the UK, I'm sure if I'd put it in the pop section it would have started a riot!

When it came to world music we would almost certainly use the definition provided by Wikipedia... It only became difficult when when trying to separate it from 'folk'. Which almost certainly could be classed as a 'world' music.

I think I like your definition better though Dave, although it wouldn't of helped at all! 😊

As for the other definitions suggested if we'd of used that we would of ended up with only two sections... One filled with Chart music and the other with 'world music'.. 😊
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1 posts moved to this new topic: Bands getting into the spirit of other culutres Reply to this

DEDICATED TO THE COCKLE

PAKISTANI JAZZ...Take 5

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Not all music should be allowed to be world music. Some music should stay firmly within the borders of where it comes from.
For examples, the Russians should not be allowed to get their hands on Beatles music, and the Ukranians should not be allowed to get theirs on ACDC songs.

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