Blog: SoundRoots World Music & mp3 Blog

I mentioned earlier that I've become a de facto klezmer instructor. This does not extend, however, to the religious side of things Jewish. I know it's the Festival of Lights , and has become a significant holiday largely because its position on the calendar makes it a useful counterbalance to Christmas. But hey - once doesn't need to be a rabbi to appreciate a holiday that has at its heart the lighting of candles on these darkest days of the year. So Happy Hanukkah, and enjoy these unusual holiday tunes. [mp3] El Vez: [...]

There will be no MeX-mas Shows this year. That's the sad news from the website of the incomperable El Vez , who tells the story of Latino history through gold lame and the music of Elvis Presley. Fortunately for all of us, El Vez has a number of fine holiday offerings, celebrating the holiday Hispanic style. Er, I should say holidays plural, because he does a mean version of "The Dreidel Song" alongside his well-browned Christmas carols. Like this, his interpretation [...]

National Treasures of China Art Exhibit December 18-22, 2005 The National Treasures of China Art Exhibit is a unique private collection of 19th and 20th century masterpieces from over fifty of China???s most beloved and distinguished artists. Rivaled only by the National Museums of Taiwan and China, this is the first time that such a venerated collection will be shown in Washington State. On limited world tour, this exhibit has been arranged by the Australian Chinese Cultural Association, its owners the Dai family [...]

Vusi is coming! The golden voiced Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa is finally going to make an appearance in Washington - he'll be at The Triple Door in Seattle on 11 February. More on that later. For now, enjoy the melodic treat from Vusi below. Some good and thought-provoking stuff on Intercultural Blog. Among other posts, he looks into charges that the murderous Calormenes of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books are thinly disguised Muslims (I have to admit that this crossed my mind as well when recently reading the books...). The [...]

Someone told me today that they're learning about klezmer music from me. This makes me a little nervous, for while I know that many klezmer musicians aren't observant Jews, well...at least most are Jewish! But I suppose I know more than the average goy, so I'll pass that along to you. And feel free to tell me what a putz I am if I get something wrong. This time of year the Klezmer Nutcracker by Shirim Klezmer Orchestra takes up residence [...]

I'll soon try to fulfil Moka's suggestion and post some audio for my Top 10 World Music CDs of 2005 , but in the meantime, the clock is running and I've got all this holiday music! Lest I be caught on Boxing Day with these tunes all wrapped up but never sent, the next few days will feature some global seasonal cheer for you. Last night I had the great good fortune to be at the Triple Door in Seattle, amid the throngs surging and swaying to the sounds of David Krakauer & Klezmer [...]