Music from around the world has come a long way from its indigent roots. Since the eighties, with the proliferation of a global culture, there has been an increased interest and appreciation for sounds outside the mainstream of Western culture. With pop stars like Paul Simon and Sting corroborating with third-world musicians, an appreciation has grown for indigenous styles.
With a varied geography and instrumentation, the indigenous roots are defying categorization as cultures assimilate. What may have once been a pure traditional form, is taking on nuance and variety as musicians access other styles from other regions. Musicians are going eclectic.
International groups now regularly tour Britain and North America. Once playing small venues, they are now playing larger concert halls with sold-out shows. A billing trend to have indigenous groups open for major pop stars has added to their stature and record sales.
Tibetan chants, Japanese koto, Indian raga, Eastern European folk have all been imported for a Western audiences. Tribal harmonies from the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America are now becoming familiar. The Celtic harp reached world-wide popularity in the previous decade. Reggae, perhaps the most well-known infiltration, is thoroughly saturated into the mainstream.
With this hybridization, the genre has had to expand its classification and there are now labels such as World Fusion, Global Fusion, Ethnic Fusion and Club Beat. These terms may be considered sub-genres of pop, rock and jazz. It has gone beyond its pure roots to embrace a more diverse, broader approach with more depth.
In Paris, always a cultural trend-setter, a large West and North African population has bestowed upon the city a diverse musical scene. Add in the Algerian and Moroccan influences and you have a lively mix. With strong support for the arts, Paris may be the world music capital as it was once the art capital. In the United States, Middle Eastern sounds are growing in popularity. South American rhythms are warmly welcomed. Sufi whirling dervishes tour regularly.
Visit the Internet to learn about the latest and most exciting groups all over the globe. A great source of information, you can listen to and purchase CDs and MP3s. There is a list of radio stations to tune into. There is a schedule of festivals taking place this summer. There are great sites to begin your appreciation of the many and varied musical styles on tap.
If those old Rolling Stone records are wearing thin, if you have heard Led Zeppelin one too many times, if you think Pink Floyd could use another brick in the wall, expand your horizons with exhilarating music from around the world. A jolt of unexpected rhythm may be just the thing to get your mojo working, your fingers snapping and your heart pumping. Globalization has its perks.
With a varied geography and instrumentation, the indigenous roots are defying categorization as cultures assimilate. What may have once been a pure traditional form, is taking on nuance and variety as musicians access other styles from other regions. Musicians are going eclectic.
International groups now regularly tour Britain and North America. Once playing small venues, they are now playing larger concert halls with sold-out shows. A billing trend to have indigenous groups open for major pop stars has added to their stature and record sales.
Tibetan chants, Japanese koto, Indian raga, Eastern European folk have all been imported for a Western audiences. Tribal harmonies from the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America are now becoming familiar. The Celtic harp reached world-wide popularity in the previous decade. Reggae, perhaps the most well-known infiltration, is thoroughly saturated into the mainstream.
With this hybridization, the genre has had to expand its classification and there are now labels such as World Fusion, Global Fusion, Ethnic Fusion and Club Beat. These terms may be considered sub-genres of pop, rock and jazz. It has gone beyond its pure roots to embrace a more diverse, broader approach with more depth.
In Paris, always a cultural trend-setter, a large West and North African population has bestowed upon the city a diverse musical scene. Add in the Algerian and Moroccan influences and you have a lively mix. With strong support for the arts, Paris may be the world music capital as it was once the art capital. In the United States, Middle Eastern sounds are growing in popularity. South American rhythms are warmly welcomed. Sufi whirling dervishes tour regularly.
Visit the Internet to learn about the latest and most exciting groups all over the globe. A great source of information, you can listen to and purchase CDs and MP3s. There is a list of radio stations to tune into. There is a schedule of festivals taking place this summer. There are great sites to begin your appreciation of the many and varied musical styles on tap.
If those old Rolling Stone records are wearing thin, if you have heard Led Zeppelin one too many times, if you think Pink Floyd could use another brick in the wall, expand your horizons with exhilarating music from around the world. A jolt of unexpected rhythm may be just the thing to get your mojo working, your fingers snapping and your heart pumping. Globalization has its perks.
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