Episode 03
Episode 03 was originally posted on June 25, 2018
Tracklisting:
01) "Reflection" by Faran Ensemble.
From the 2016 album Fata Morgana.
Founded in 2009 in Israel "by three musicians who share similar musical vibes and values, one of them is the belief that music can join people without any concern of origin, religion, race or sex." The group brings together Oud , Kamanche and percussion. The group's website says that "Their instruments belong to the ancient traditions of the east, allowing the musicians to combine mystical sounds with modern influences. In their music, Mediterranean landscapes weave an enchanted soundscape, a magic carpet to take the listener on a voyage to faraway lands."
02) "Shudh Sarang" by Pramod Kumar.
From the 1973 album The Indian Sitar: The Language of the Raga.
Well, we've got to be honest here. We don't know a whole heck of a lot about Pramod Kumar. Worldcat confirms that he is a sitar player. He is mentioned on Wikipedia, but only as Anand Kumar's brother. We're probably looking in all the wrong places because, as Allmusic points out: "Pramod Kumar was one of Ravi Shankar's best students (if not the best)." Oh well, sometimes the music speaks for itself, which this album certainly does.
Do you have more information about Pramod Kumar? We'd love to learn more.
Buy the album on Amazon
03) "Jaya Dev" by Aradhna.
From the 2007 album Amrit Vani.
Aradhna was an international group based out of Toronto, Ontario. They infuse the traditional Indian devotional music style known as bhajans with Christian themes. Composed primarily in the Hindi language, the group strives to maintain musical authenticity.
04) "Sousta" by Psarantonis and Yannis Xylouris.
From the 1997 album Cretan Music - The Way Of Psarantonis (Instrumental).
Antonis Xylouris (Αντώνης Ξυλούρης aka Psarantonis) is a Greek composer, singer and lyra player. Born in the mountainous village of Anogia in Rethimnon, Crete, Xylouris started learning to play the lyre when he was only nine years old. At the age of thirteen, he played at his first wedding reception. He has recorded multiple albums and performed internationally. Fun fact for you: Antonis Xylouris is the father of Greek singer and laouto player George Xylouris, one-half of Xylouris White, along with Dirty Three drummer Jim White; a group which also happens to appear on this episode of worldwide musical travel.
05) "ปลาคาบแมว" by ไวพจน์ เพชรสุพรรณ (Waiphot Phetsuphan).
ไวพจน์ เพชรสุพรรณ (Waiphot Phetsuphan)
When you explore music from around the world, you're bound to encounter some artists and albums that you won't be able to find out much about. This is both. In Thailand, there is a style of music known as "Luk Thung." Wikipedia describes "Luk Thung" as "Thai country music." You decide for yourself.
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06) "Spud's Garden" by Xylouris White.
From the 2018 album Mother.
It wouldn't be right for us to play Psarantonis and then mention his son George Xylouris without playing said son George Xylouris. George makes up half of the group Xylouris White, along with Dirty Three's drummer Jim White. George plays the laouto (Greek: λαούτο), a long-neck fretted instrument of the lute family. The duo combines a free jazz/post-rock approach to Greek folk traditions.
07) "I Remember A Time When Once You Used To Love Me" by Dirty Three.
From the 1996 album Horse Stories.
We couldn't help but weave a thread through this week's episode. We started with Psarantonis, then heard from his son in Xylouris White and wound up with Austrailia's Dirty Three. Funny how life works sometimes.
Sometimes called folk. Sometimes called post-rock. Sometimes called free-jazz. Lots of people are unsure how to classify Melbourne's Dirty Three. Comprised of violin, drums and guitar, the group specializes in an instrumental punk ethos that nearly slips the rails while somehow still holding on to haunting melodies.
See where this week's artists fall on the world map. This week’s artists are represented by light-green, avacado color: