Monday, November 30, 2015

Left Behind: The Soundtrack to The Secret of Roan Inish and "Evacuation"



From the soundtrack to the film The Secret of Roan Inish, which centers on the tale of selkies - seals that can shed their skin to become human in appearance - comes today's random song called Evacuation. The music for the film was written by Mason Daring, an American composer and musician who is largely known for his scores to films by John Sayles. Evacuation can be found on The Secret of Roan Inish soundtrack (1995).

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Write a Cool Song Like This About Me: Paolo Conte and "Max"



Max, by Paolo Conte, is our random tune for the day. Conte was born in Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, and he began his music career as a vibraphone player traveling in local and touring bands. He started writing songs early on in his career with his brother Giorgio but eventually began writing on his own. His star rose in the 60s and 70s as he was the main creative songwriter behind hits of other well-known Italian artists. His solo career commenced in 1974. His songs are known for being evocative of colorful and dreamy Italian and Mediterranean sounds. His music is often jazzy, reminiscent of South America and French singers, and filled with a wistful melancholy. His music has also been used in many movies. Max can be found on his 1998 compilation album The Best of Paolo Conte.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

At Least It's Not Chin Music: Mouth Music and "Martin Martin"



Today's tune, Martin Martin, is by Mouth Music, a Scottish musical project that combines traditional Gaelic music with contemporary instrumental and techno. Featuring a variety of musicians over the years that often went on to fame under other bands, and produced and directed by Martin Swan, Mouth Music appears to be on hiatus since 2005, but their interesting sound led them to international fame in the 1990s. You can find Martin Martin on their 1990 self-titled debut album, featuring electronics, sparse electric guitars, fiddles and a world-beat type of sound that prefigured later groups like Afro-Celt Sound System.

Friday, November 27, 2015

We're Not Talking Movies: Reeltime and "Siúil a Rún"



Today's random song is by Reeltime, an Irish quartet that brings percussive jazz guitar to traditional Irish music, with occasional touches of Texas swing and ragtime. Their 1995 debut garnered critical acclaim and Irish American News' praise as Best New Band and Best Female Vocalist for singer Mairin Fahy (who is also an All-Ireland award fiddle player. She played with the touring production of Riverdance, and joined The Chieftains on their 2007 tour, as well as creating her own show called Tara. Multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and photographer Chris Kelly has also been part of many different compilations and has worked with many different groups. This song, Siúil a Rún, can be found on the 2005 compilation Celtic Wonder, and on Reeltime's self titled debut CD (1995).

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Griot Singing: Kassé Mady Diabaté and "Toumarou"



Today's random song is by Kassé Mady Diabaté, a singer from Mali descended from the Malian griot musical caste. Realizing that Kassé Mady may have inherited his family's musical prowess, His parents schooled and encouraged him. As lead singer of the Orchestre Régional Super Mandé de Kangaba, Kassé Mady won the Biennale music competition in the Malian capital of Bamako. He caught the eye of a group of Malian musicians who had gone to Cuba to study music - they asked him to join their group as lead singer. The group, the Maravillas, later known as the Bandema National, became famous throughout West Africa due to their music...Cuban style music with a touch of Malian Mandingo. In 1988 he left Mali for Paris and recorded his first solo record - he spent ten years there before moving back to Mali and made influential albums in collaboration with other artists such as flamenco group Ketama, blues artist Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabaté. This song, Toumarou, can be found on his 2015 album Kiriké.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Praiseworthy: Youssou N'Dour and "Allah"



Today's song is a beautiful song of praise. Youssou N'Dour is already a giant among African musicians. A singer, songwriter, composer, percussionist, actor and politician, he is one of the most visible personas of Senegal. A man born in a griot family, he didn't take the traditional griot path (but he is considered a modern griot anyway) who was the driving force behind the popular Senegalese music called mbalax. He came to world notice thanks to his collaborations with Western musicians like Peter Gabriel, but his music stands on its own. This song, Allah, is from his 2004 CD Egypt. The album combines West and North African music, as well as instrumentation in its use of the West African kora and the Arab oud. It promotes the tolerance of Senegalese Islam, and the album won a Grammy award. The video to this song is beautiful - but the sound is not as good.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

It Never Stops: Moya Brennan and "Merry Go Round"



A downtempo Celtic rock song from Irish singer Moya Brennan greets you as the random tune for today. The song is titled Merry Go Round and is from her 2006 album Signature. Brennan comes from a musical family (one of her sisters, Eithne, is better known as the singer Enya) and the family's band Clannad have been credited with creating the contemporary Celtic sound. Brennan is the eldest of the siblings, and started her own solo career in 1992. She is often classified as Celtic or New Age, though she feels uncomfortable with the New Age label as her music often has Christian themes. She has recorded 25 solo albums, her music has been featured in film, and she has collaborated with numerous other musicians in a variety of genres. She has also been very candid about her life - in her autobiography The Other Side of the Rainbow she recounts her upbringing in her family and her struggles with alcohol, drugs and an abortion which made her reevaluate her life and become a committed Christian. To help others with similar problems, she has given much to philanthropic endeavors and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Christian Blind Mission. Merry Go Round can also be found on the 2011 live album Heart Strings.

Monday, November 23, 2015

When He Says Jump, You Say How High: Bupps Saggu with Manit Pappu and "Jump to the Bhangra"



Make sure you have your coffee and are fully awake before you start this jumping bhangra tune. Jump to the Bhangra is performed by Bups Saggu and features Manjit Pappu. A resident of the UK, Bupps Saggu is a self-styled heavy hitter in the Asian music industry in the UK. Starting out as a dancer, he eventually worked his way into the music industry to become a DJ and music producer. He also manages and produces the Bups Saggu Roadshow. I can't find much information on Majit Pappu, unfortunately, but he seems to do a lot of work. Jump to the Bhangra can be found as a 2014 single release from VIP Records.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Making Changes: Buckwheat Zydeco and "Turning Point"



Buckwheat Zydeco comes rockin' in to our page with the random tune of the day. Buckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr., who got the name "Buckwheat" from his childhood resemblance to a character on the Our Gang film shorts. Dural's father was an accomplished Creole accordionist, but Dural preferred rhythm and blues, and started out backing artists such as Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Joe Tex. He started his own funk band in the early 70s with some success, but then began backing zydeco legend Clifton Chenier as an organist and discovered the popularity of zydeco. His relationship to Chenier led him to take up the accordion, and after a year he felt confident enough to start Buckwheat Zydeco in 1978. Buckwheat Zydeco has opened for and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, and it is one of the few zydeco bands to achieve mainstream success. This song, Turning Point, is on his 1992 album of the same name.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

From the Provinces: Manu Théron, Grégory Dargent and Youssef Hbeisch with "Ar mi Puesc Ieu Lauzar d'Amor"



From southern France and the mediaeval age comes this really uptempo rocking tune called "Ar mi Puesc Ieu Lauzar d'Amor" with oud and vocals in the Provençal language. Sirventes: Chants Fougeaux des Pays d'Oc/Occitan Protest Songs, released in 2014, is an album put together using songs written by poets and musicians from mediaeval Provence. While most of the tunes have not survived, the words have and they are put to some very compelling music by Manu Théron (Lo Cor de la Plana), Grégory Dargent and Youssef Hbeisch (Le Trio Joubran). Provençal is considered an endangered language, very related to Catalan in Spain, so hearing it here is a real treat.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Royalty with Royalties: Khaled and "Aray Haray"



Today's random song is by by Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, an Algerian raï singer and songwriter known by his stage name Khaled. He started recording in his early teens under the name Cheb Khaled and since has become a superstar and the most well-known Algerian performer in the world - he is usually labeled "The King of Raï." This song, Aray Haray, can be found on his 2013 greatest hits album Le King du Raï.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Match Burns Bright: Van Morrison and The Chieftains with "Ta Mo Chleamhnas"



Today's random song is by Van Morrison and The Chieftains. The Chieftains are one of the greatest ambassadors of Irish music to the world, and have formed their distinctive sound around the Uileann pipes. Van Morrison, from Northern Ireland, is a singer-songwriter and musician who has been described as mystical and transcendental. Some of his albums have appeared near the top of many lists of the greatest albums of all time. He has released 39 albums. The collaboration between Van Morrison and The Chieftains goes back to at least 1979, when they met at the Edinburgh Rock Festival, and agreed to record an album together. The result, 1988's Irish Heartbeat, received positive critical acclaim, including 4 stars from Rolling Stone and was called one of the best albums of the year from The Village Voice. Ta Mo Chleamhnas Deanta (My Match It Is Made) is a traditional song that can be found on the Irish Heartbeat album.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Havana Good Time: Soneros de Verdad and "Oguero"



The name of the group responsible for today's random song is intriguing. Soneros de Verdad means "Singers of Truth," and they call themselves the second generation of the Buena Vista Social Club, bridging the gap between the son cubano of 50-60 years ago with more modern sensibilities and original compositions. Fronted by Luis Frank Arias and Mayito Rivero, both international music award winners, the band also employs some other Cuban stars of the newer generation, giving a whole new sound layered on top of the old urban mixed with rural, son, jazz, and other genres. It's Cuba in one package. This song, Oguero, is from the album Luis Frank Presents Soneros de Verdad: A Buena Vista Barrio de la Habana (originally released in 2000, CD release in 2010).

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Yes, Please Do: Wayne Toups and Zydecajun with "Please Explain"



Today's tune, Please Explain, is by Wayne Toups and Zydecajun. Songwriter and accordionist Wayne Toups is one of the most successful Cajun musicians in America. He was born in Crowley, Louisiana and started playing accordion at 13. He was soon winning local contests, and later began to combine Cajun music, zydeco, R&B and rock into a genre he labeled Zydecajun. Though he released his first album in the 1970s, his first album with the Zydecajun sound was 1986's Zydecajun. Besides releasing 16 albums and providing soundtracks for movies such as Steel Magnolias, Toups has also collaborated with such artists as Mark Chestnutt, Sammy Kershaw, Alan Jackson, George Jones and Garth Brooks. Please Explain is from his 1991 album Fish Out of Water.

Monday, November 16, 2015

But I Want You to Stay: Buddha Sounds with Eli Kazah and "Let Me Go"



Today's song is nice and downtempo. Let Me Go is by Buddha Sounds and features Eli Kazah. Buddha Sounds are electronic group from Argentina. They have released five studio albums. Some of their music has appeared on the big screen - their song Odna was part of the Sex and the City 2 soundtrack. You can find Let Me Go on their album Buddha Sounds 2: The Arabic Dream (2005).

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Serbian Dance Party: Milan Nikolić and "Milioni"



How about some dance music for today's random tune? Milioni is by Milan Nikolić and the Balkan Beat Orchestra. Milan Nikolić (not to be confused with the soccer player) is a Serbian accordionist who was Serbia's 2009 entry in the Eurovision song contest, making it to the second semifinal. You can find Milioni on the compilation CD The Balkan Club Night #2 (2011).

Saturday, November 14, 2015

For Paris: "La Marseillaise" from the movie Casablanca



We don't have much to offer to Paris except symbolism, and I'm (Mike) sure that this has been put up in other places, but a very moving moment in the movie Casablanca comes to mind. The setup: the Nazis control France. In Morocco, the French Vichy government (a puppet government of the Nazis) controls the colony, and Nazi soldiers mix with French officials, people seeking a way out of Europe, collaborators and partisan fighters trying to overthrow the Nazis. In this scene, the Nazi soldiers start singing a nationalistic song...only to be effectively countered by the French national anthem, the Marseillaise. The point I'm trying to make is the French have the fortitude and the strength befitting a civilized nation to overcome oppression, terrorism and barbarism and, with their allies, will prevail over this darkness.

Desperation: The Mexican Institute of Sound and "Para No Vivir Desesparado"



The Mexican Institute of Sound brings us our random tune for today. The Mexican Institute of Sound is Mexico City-based producer and DJ Camilo Lara's electronic music project. Fusing Mexican folk music with modern sounds, MIS is part of a growing movement in Mexican music. Lara started with mixing music for holiday mix tapes, and after getting enthusiastic receptions for his creations, began making musical collages under the moniker Mexican Institute of Sound while relying on samples of Mexican classical music. He has released four albums, with a fifth due next year. This song, Para No Vivir Desesparado, is from his 2007 CD Piñata.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Love Lost: Cathie Ryan and "We Dreamed Our Dreams"



Our song for today is by Cathie Ryan, an Irish-American native of Detroit, Michigan who was exposed early to Irish musicians such as Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers as well as American musicians such as Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves and Hank Williams. In her childhood she idolized her father, a tenor, who taught her how to interpret and honor songs by knowing their histories and contexts. Cathie Ryan was also exposed to the music of Appalachia from neighbors who had migrated to Michigan to work in the auto factories and gained an appreciation for the likes of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, as well as the local music out of Motown. Moving to New York, she learned more about traditional Irish music from her then husband singer-songwriter Dermot Henry and mentor Joe Heaney. After graduating from CUNY with a degree in English Literature and Secondary Education, she began teaching at Lehmann College in the Bronx, but left the classroom behind as her singing career began to blossom. She still continues to teach workshops in traditional Irish singing and Irish mythology and folklore. She was a member of the all female Celtic group Cherish the Ladies. This song, We Dreamed Our Dreams, can be found on her 1998 album The Music of What Happens.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Revolutionary Music: Los Tradicionales de Carlos Puebla and "Dilema"



Today's random song comes from a revolutionary band, in more ways than one. Along with his band Los Tradicionales (or sometimes Sus Tradicionales), Carlos Puebla defined the sound of Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution. A largely self-taught musician on guitar, he began performing in the 1930s, and soon began singing about the hardships and oppression that existed in Cuba. In 1959, when Castro entered victorious into Havana, it made such an impression on Puebla that he began writing songs that chronicled the revolution and disseminated its values. His success in Cuba led to a tour of over 35 countries and the band's reputation as the unofficial musical ambassadors of Cuba. The departure of Che Guevara from Cuba in 1965 led him to write his most famous song, Farewell. Puebla retired due to ill health in 1988 and died a year later - the band's leadership passed to Octavio Abreua and the band renamed themselves Los Tradicionales de Carlos Puebla. This song, Dilema, is recorded by Los Tradicionales de Carlos Puebla, and is a reflection on seeing someone cry and the depth of feeling that results in the one who is observing the other's grief. It can be found on the 1997 compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Music from the Coffee Lands.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Dancing at Dusk: Iļģi and "Aizalaida Sauleite"



The random song for today is by Iļģi, which calls itself the most famous world music band from Latvia. Iļģi was formed in 1981, during the days of the Soviet regime in Latvia, and their focus was on the folk music of Latvia. They traveled around the country looking for folk songs that had never been recorded. In looking for these folk songs, they also uncovered tradition and history that the Soviet government found dangerous because delving into folklore was seeing as an act of dissidence. Their concerts, in which they wore traditional costumes and played traditional Latvian instruments such as the kokle (stringed instrument) and the dūdas (a type of bagpipe) had to be approved by government officials and any perceived non-compliance from regulations could result in a canceled concert or a ban. For a while, their name and that of other folklorists was forbidden to be mentioned in the media. Thus, the band and their work and music were hidden from much of the public for years. The collapse of the Soviet system freed Iļģi from all restrictions, and also probably freed them from strict adherence to folk music. Musicians being musicians, Iļģi wanted to explore what they were capable of musically and they began to transition from a pure folk band to a post-folk band, where the music became infused with other influences besides Latvian folk. Iļģi still remains true to the traditions. Their music has been described as reflective and meditative in some songs, and upbeat and full of vitality in others. This song, Aizalaida Sauleite (The Sun Went Down), is from their 2006 award winning album Ne Uz Vienu Dienu, a collection of wedding songs.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Singin' in the Rain: Brittni Paiva and "Thunderstorm Slack Key"



Sit back and listen to the beautiful rain with this song, Thunderstorm Slack Key by young ukelele and guitar prodigy Brittni Paiva from Hawaii. A native of Hilo, she is known as "the ukulele darling" who besides uke and guitar also plays electric bass, piano and drums. The slack key in the title of the song refers to the guitar tuning - one or more of the strings on the guitar is detuned until all the strings form a single chord. You can find Thunderstorm Slack Key on her 2004 CD Brittni X 3, and on the compilation album Ki Ho 'Alu No Ka Oi, Vol. 2 (2007).

Monday, November 9, 2015

Sounds Out of Time: Namgar and "Khadadaa"



From the borderlands that define Russia, Mongolia and China comes today's random tune, Khadadaa by Namgar. Namgar is a four piece band that performs traditional Buryat and Mongolian music. Now making its base in Moscow and led by singer Namgar Lhasaranova, the group has made a name for itself by performing Mongolian songs that have not been played since the 17th century, and Buryat songs that predate the 20th century. Since the late 2000s they have expanded their repertoire to also include pop and ethno-rock, and lately with a new lineup that includes some Sami and Scandinavian musicians they have renamed themselves Nordic Namgar. I believe that Khadadaa can be found on their 2004 CD Hatar, though the name of the song is missing the "K." It can also be found on the 2014 compilation CD globalfFest Selector.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Gypsy Swinging: Mahala Rai Banda and "Romni Latci"



Today's tune comes from Romania. Mahala Rai Banda is a gypsy band based in Bucharest. Formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionita, the band plays in several styles and genres. They are often cited for their innovative and inventive arrangements that position them at the intersection between traditional popular music and club oriented music. They have played over 200 concerts in 26 countries and they have released at least two albums. Their music was featured in the movie Borat. This song, Romni Latci, can be found on their debut album Mahala Rai Banda, released in 2005.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

But Nothing: Bab & Rolando 808 with "Mas Que Nada"



Mas Que Nada is the title of our random tune for today. Performed by Bab & Rolando 808, the tune features the voice of respected Brazilian singer Rolando Farias, who now lives in Paris and teamed up with African DJ Alioume Ba to cover this tune. The song was originally written by Brazilian legend Jorge Ben but was made famous by Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66. The song is a celebration of the samba. Mas Que Nada can be found on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Groove (2003).

Friday, November 6, 2015

Delightful to View by Light of the Dawn: Déanta and "The Benedy Glen"



A nice Celtic ode is in store for you in today's random tune. The Benedy Glen is by the Celtic group Déanta, an Irish traditional group from Northern Ireland. Déanta formed in the late 1980s and performed until 1997, and then regrouped in 2008. In 1990 they won the Trophée Loïc Raison at the Lorient Interceltic Festival in Brittany as best band. They released three albums, and their songs reflect traditional music with occasional forays into more contemporary music. You can find The Benedy Glen on their 1994 album Ready for the Storm and on the 2005 Green Linnet compilation album Celtic Wonder.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Don't Leave Me Alone: Vanessa da Mata and "Não Me Deixe Só"



Brazilian singer, songwriter and novelist Vanessa da Mata brings us our random tune today, a nice number called Não Me Deixe Só. Da Mata was self-taught in music and listened to many different genres in her youth. At age 14, she realized that her passion was singing and at 16 she moved to São Paulo where she started singing in a female reggae band. At 19 she became a backing vocalist for Black Uhuru during their tour of Brazil. She also played professional basketball and worked as a model. At 21, she wrote a song that was nominated for a Latin Grammy, and started writing songs for a number of Brazilian artists. She began doing backing vocals for many Brazilian artists, but in 2002 released her first album. This song was was that album's biggest hit, peaking at #25 on the Brazilian charts and 42 on the Portuguese charts. She has since scored many number one hits in Brazil. You can find Não Me Deixe Só on Vanessa da Mata's eponymous first album, released in 2002 and re-released in 2008.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Day of the Dead: Listen to the Global Music Show on the KUNM Two-Week Archive!

Hi readers and visitors: Want to hear the Global Music show that spawns this blog? Go to the KUNM Two Week Archive!

Just key in Monday, November 2 at 10 pm and let the player go. The show is three hours of global music with some commentary!  If you wonder why songs about death are sprinkled in, we did the show the day after Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

 Here's the playlist for the show:


All Souls Night - Loreena McKennitt (Canada)
Wheel Inside the Wheel - Mary Gauthier (United States)
A Todos Ellos - Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico)
Dead Man - Nitin Sawhney (United Kingdom)
He No Dead Yet - King Fighter (Guyana)
Cumbia de los Muertos - Ozomatli (United States)
Aankharli Pharookai - Karam Abbas & Mai Dhas (Pakistan)
Piya Dekhan Ko - Nafees Ahmad Khan & Ustad Amid Ali Khan (Pakistan)
Jig O' Beer and Chai - Zakir Hussain (India)
Debho - Daby Toure (Mauritania)
Selfie - Koffi Olomide (Dem. Republic of Congo)
Tiè Faring - Kandia Kouyate (Mali)
Meshe Dehina Ederu - Ephrem Tamiru & Roha Band (Ethiopia)
La Llorona - Kočani Orkestar (Macedonia)
El Baile de la Lechuza - Daniel Santos (Puerto Rico)
An Cailleach - Salsa Celtica (Scotland)
Baba Yaga - Lily of the Valley (Germany)
Baba Yaga - Tuatha (United States)
Good Men - Buika (Spain)
Colibria - Nicola Cruz (France/Ecuador)
Avalanche - Boogarins (Brazil)
Oile Le La - Forro in the Dark (United States)
El Lado Mas Bestia de la Vida - Albert Pla (Spain)
Low Rider - Jake Shimabukuro (United States)
All Along the Watchtower - Eliades Ochoa (Cuba)
Harvest Moon - Bebel Gilberto (Brazil)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (United States)
Claire In Heaven - Capercaille (Scotland)
I Am Stretched On Your Grave - Kate Rusby (United Kingdom)
Ghost Lake - A Moving Sound (Taiwan)

All We Need is Love: Lira and "Ixesha"



Lira, whose name translates to "love" in the Sesotho language, brings us today's tune, Ixesha. Lira grew up in apartheid South Africa listening to musicians such as Miriam Makeba, Steve Wonder, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, and decided she would be a musician. After attending college, she got a job as an accountant and used her skills to record a demo CD. An accountant for two years, she turned in a letter of resignation and devoted herself to a five year plan to make it in music. She was discovered in 2000 by musician/producer Arthur Mafokate. She has since come to be considered South Africa's most prominent adult contemporary artist. Lira describes her music as elements of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African. Ixesha can be found on Lira's 2014 album Rise Again.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

All Aboard!: Moussu T E Lei Jovents and "Embarcatz!"



Our random tune for today is Embarcatz! (All Aboard!) by Moussu T e Lei Jovents, a band that splits its time between Marseilles, a French commune called La Ciotat, and Recife, Brazil. They are inspired by the music of Marseilles between 1920 and 1930 and the melting pot that the city was and remains. They range musically from the blues to reggae to Brazilian music to music hall, and they are very comfortable singing in Occitan, the regional language of the southern third of France. They have released eight albums. This is a really fun tune that you can turn up. The song is about traveling once bridges are burned and heading toward new adventure. As the refrain says:

In the world's great salad bowl
We'll add our pinch of salt
Here we are when the music starts
Let the ship sail away!
To the planet's great hymn
We want to bring our energy
Like a never ending groundswell
We will visit every port.

Embarcatz! can be found on their 2013 CD Artemis.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Where the Stars are Bright: Los Texmaniacs and "The Eyes of Texas/Deep in the Heart of Texas"



Today's song is by San Antonio, Texas group Los Texmaniacs. Los Texmaniacs were created in 1997 by Max Baca to play traditional conjunto and tejano music but also to incorporate rock and jazz while honoring the old traditions. Baca was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and followed his grandfather and father in learning the accordion beginning at age 5. He was invited by one of his idols, the great Flaco Jiménez, to play in Jiménez' band in San Antonio where he learned to play the bajo sexto (bass) using all six sets of strings in the traditional style. In forming Los Texmaniacs, Baca wanted to keep alive the style of another groundbreaking band, The Texas Tornados. This song, The Eyes of Texas/Deep in the Heart of Texas, can be found on their 2012 CD Texas Towns and Tex-Mex Sounds.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Is She a Red Too?: The Chieftains and "Bean An Fhir Rua"



A nice whistle tune comes to us today from The Chieftains in the form of Bean An Fhir Rua (The Red Haired Man's Wife) from their 1999 CD Water From the Well. The Chieftains are an Irish ensemble, formed in 1962 in Dublin, who helped introduced the wider world to Irish music. They made a new and unique sound for themselves by playing their music primarily around the distinctive sound of uileann pipes. Besides releasing several critically acclaimed albums, they are just as well known for their collaborations with such artists as Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor and Roger Daltry. They have released 44 albums.