Back
What’s the World Music Show? In a nutshell, it’s Marimba’s, castanets, Kalimba’s, bongos and even the Didgeridoo. It’s music from around the globe that you wouldn’t normally hear anywhere else. It’s also music that you may not associate as “World Music,” meaning that a song that has a familiar beat, or melody, but when you hear the singer, singing in a different language, you may stop and think “Woah, who was that?” Or you may hear a familiar artist, like Paul Simon or David Byrne, and hear the soft cha-cha-cha percussion in the background and think: “Where did that inspiration come from?” Chances are, it’s from another country.

World Music isn’t all about chants and just drums – though there is some of that. To me, it’s about the exploration of culture, of listening to what other people in other parts of the planet are listening to. This way, I get a better understanding of the human experience. A few years ago, when my wife and I would peruse a record store, she’d head to the World Music section, while I would stay in my comfort zone of 80’s alternative music. But, after listening to the music she’d got excited about, like Lo-Jo, or Bossacucanova, I would listen and get the same excitement, too. My wife really got me interested in Brazilian and French music, and thanks to her, I’ve been able to further our interest in World Music, and along the way, I've been able to learn more about the world and enjoy what other cultures are listening to.

Questions/Comments: istewart@ideastations.org
Playlist Archives