I’ve recently lost interest in most of the music that I’ve listened to for years. It might be that in coming back to my roots, I’m missing the world of music I experienced for so many years. Now I enjoy African and Celtic music, but I’m having trouble finding it.
I don’t object to buying music online, but most of it is compressed with lossy codecs that reduces the listening pleasure, so I’m forced to buy it in physical format. I can get some of the more popular artists at local stores, but most of the CDs available are compilations. I’ll then find a few standout tracks and want to hear more music by the same artists (eg Lhasa de Sela, Susheela Raman and Clannad). But I know there is other great music out there that doesn’t make the compilations I pick up.
Sydney radio doesn’t seem to have much in the way of world music. Our record stores don’t either. What is the best way to find and buy high quality recordings of world music?
Regarding Lhasa de Sela —
I only found three tracks … 🙁
La Maree Haute
De Cara A La Pared
Desierto
You have tried Red Eye, right? Even though I notice she only has two albums out, all musical roads lead to Red Eye, dear boy. *nods*
Mah Google!fu hath NOT failed me yet. :p
So you know about Real World Records, right? I ask only because I have almost zero knowledge of world music and I only know Real World cos of my fervent fervent love for Peter Gabriel. :p Of course you know already.
I totally agree about preferring physical formats to electronic. Unfortunately I have been seduced by the siren that is HypeM scept yeah, it helps if you already know what artist you want. And hey, it’s not illegal if you download the song for sample purposes and go out and buy the album anyway. Which, in most cases, is exactly what I do cos I want the whole experience not just a sample. Heh.
HypeM is how I found those Lhasa tracks. The only flaw about HypeM is that you have to be quick to get the tracks cos the older songs, unless they’re hosted on non-temp servers, get deleted. Me, I now have ten favourite searches and check them almost every day. It’s also really good for those rare tracks from your favourite artists. *nods* And if you can find a blog through HypeM that focuses on your favourite genre, all the better.
Good luck!
Er … didn’t I promise you music once? *scratches head*
I recommend finding labels with music you like and checking their catalogs for other artists.
If you like Celtic music, I highly recommend Planxty and the Bothy Band. For African, if you enjoying just drumming, try Doudou N’Diaye Rose Percussion Orchestra, although his CDs don’t do justice to the power of his live performances.
Cool! I have some new artists to try and possibly a place to find them. Thanks.
Yes, N-A, I believe you did promise me some music, but I can’t remember what it was.
What? No more Ganaha Mina?
🙂
I got a lot of friends in Africa, mostly in Benin, Nigeria and Ghana. Let me know if you need recos or actual songs.
L.
Sokay, I remembered! It came to me in a flash … *lol* Let me know when you’re back to Fridays and I’ll bring it along. Really, this time. :p
😀 Ganaha Mina does still get the occasional spin, but I have to say that aside from taiko (which is brilliant), Japanese music generally didn’t impress me. Ganaha Mina was the only standout and mainly because she kept it simple. I’ve been talking to hundreds of kids applying to go to Japan recently and I’m surprised at the number who state J-pop as a reason for their interest. As many as like the anime, I think. Has it improved or is it just me?
Thanks dri. I should be back in October.