Sonic characteristics and cultural contexts of world music traditions

¶ … Music

Slow Hora/Freylekhs

The Klezmer Conservatory Band (Klezmer)Dancing in the Aisles

"Slow Hora/Freylekhs" is a traditional Klezmer song performed by the Klezmer Conservatory Band. The song represents the style and instrumentation of Eastern European Jewish music, and includes the strong representation of woodwinds. The instrumentation may include clarinet, oboe, and bassoon with the percussive punctuation added by bass instruments. Actual percussive elements are present but kept to a subtle minimum to allow the woodwinds to carry most of the song; the melodic lead is carried by the highest-pitched woodwind, which may be a clarinet.

26.E Baiana

Clara Nunes (Brazil)

Meus Momentos: Clara Nunes

Clara Nunes performs the quintessential samba in "E Baiana." Here, African beats and African vocals blend with some European instrumentation including the guitar on top. The song is very danceable and shows how African music influenced Brazilian music. "E Baiana" is also highly percussive and includes the shakers and syncopated clapping at the end of the song as well as the pervasive and persistent drumming that make the hips move. Also the background vocals and notably African in nature.

27.Malaguena Salerosa

4:13

Rodrigo, Remedio Flores (Spain)

Latcho Drom

The traditional music of the Roma people is well-represented here in "Rind De Hore" by the Romanian group Taraf de Haidouks. The song was featured in the film about gypsies (Roma) people called Latcho Drom. Instrumentation includes flute, violin, and some kind of bass. The song is fast-paced, uplifting, and happy in tone. The flute plays role like vocals might. Although the music is not hip-shaking, it is head-bopping and finger-snapping.

31.Hari Naam Ka Pyala

5:30

Anup Jalota (India)

Aisi Laagi Lagan

This Indian music is at once accessible and mystical. It is neither Indian classical music nor Indian pop like Bangra. Instead, "Hari Naam Ka Pyala" sounds like Indian devotional or religious music for a popular audience. There is a nice low-register string instrument throughout as well as the Indian drums, which may or may not be tabla. There is also the surprising addition of an accordion-like instrument but most of the instrumentation is strings and percussion. The male vocals are sweet, devotional, and melodic. The sounds or phonemes of the language seem to blend well with the instrumentation as well as the beats. Thus, the vocals both stand alone and blend with the music as if another instrument. I enjoyed listening to this.

32.Nansi Imali

5:15

Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa)

The Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Volume One

This South African song by Ladysmith Black Mambazo has wondrous vocals and vocal harmonies. Ladysmith Black Mambazo was made popular by American artist Paul Simon, who helped introduce the vibrant sounds of South Africa to the world. In Nansi Imali, we hear many voices together in unison, singing a capella. Occasionally we hear a classic call-and-response segment and the lead vocalist is distinct from the chorus. Sometimes one voice imitates a drum with sounds like krrrrrrt. No instruments are needed, because the sounds of the vocalists are full and all-encompassing.

33.Gao Shan Liu Shui

3:10

Various (China)

Music of the Pipa

The string instrument featured in "Gao Shan Liu Shui" is distinctly and classically Chinese. The sound the instrument yields is high, and it likely has just a few strings. However, it is deceptively simple. There is also a bass-registered instrument playing. The overall effect is sensual and natural. This song seems like music to play when taking a long journey across large looming landscapes. The song does change like a landscape does in valleys, with the occasional sight of bird or other animal.

34.Whispering Journeys

4:30

Robert Tree Cody (North America)

Dreams from the Grandfather Native American Songs

This lovely and evocative melody starts with flute arriving out of nowhere like a sudden wind. In fact, "Whispering Journeys" never stops feeling like the wind. The sound of the flute echoes, and is alone like a bird of pray flying overhead. It is impossible to listen to this song without this visual in mind.