Kitchen Sink: Beltuner and "Gnossienne No. 1"

Gnossienne No. 1, our random tune for today, is by Beltuner, a French band started in 2001 by four young self-taught musicians. First concentrating on gypsy swing, Parisian bal musette, tango, Yiddish and Balkan music, they found a unique sound by mixing the styles and adding in jazz, classical, rock, world music and funk. They are also known for their free-wheeling and energetic concerts. Gnossienne No. 1 can be found on their 2010 CD Album #1.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Dancing in Paris: Henri Momboisse and "Impression"

We go back to early 20th century Paris for today's random song, called Impression. Henri Momboisse was a bal musette accordionist who was born in 1889 and died in 1960. While I don't have much information on Momboisse, bal musette was a dance music that typically used accordion, banjo and drums (called "jâze" after the American jazz). Sometimes a cabrette - a small pipe, was also included. Musette musicians created valse musette, a type of mazurka called the java, and put their unique stamp upon the foxtrot. This recording of Impression is from 1930, and can be found on The Rough Guide to Paris Cafe (2nd edition - 2010).

Swingin': Beltuner and "Swing 124"

Today's random tune is by Beltuner, a French band started in 2001 by four young self-taught musicians. First concentrating on gypsy swing, Parisian bal musette, tango, Yiddish and Balkan music, they found a unique sound by mixing the styles and adding in jazz, classical, rock, world music and funk. They are also known for their free-wheeling and energetic concerts. This song, Swing 124, can be found on their 2010 CD Album #2.

Gypsy Violin: Beltuner and "Intro Opus 7"

Today's random tune is by Beltuner, a French band started in 2001 by four young self-taught musicians. First concentrating on gypsy swing, Parisian bal musette, tango, Yiddish and Balkan music, they found a unique sound by mixing the styles and adding in jazz, classical, rock, world music and funk. They are also known for their free-wheeling and energetic concerts. This song, Intro Opus 7, highlights the violin playing of Jeremy Tordjman and can be found on their 2010 CD Album #2.