Who Remembers Gondwanaland and Laurasia: Pangea and "Memories of Pangea"

Pangea brings us the random tune for today, titled Memories of Pangea. Pangea is a project of Dan Lacksman, a Belgian composer and sound engineer. He has mixed and produced albums in a variety of genres, such as pop, rock, jazz, classic, dance and electronica. He is a co-founder and member of the avant-garde electronica group Telex, and a producer of the world music group Deep Forest. In fact, this video mixes those two projects- the music of Pangea combined with a video of Deep Forest. On the whole, Pangea was formed to make world music more accessible to European and American audiences. You can find Memories of Pangea on the 1996 album Pangea.

Love in the Morna: Ana Firmino and Tito Paris with "Chico Malandro"

The random tune for today is Chico Malandro by Ana Firmino with Tito Paris. Firmino and Paris are both from Cape Verde. Firmino is a singer and is regarded as a fine interpreter of the native Cape Verdean morna genre as well as other traditional styles of music. Paris is a singer and musician (guitar and bass) who now lives in Portugal. He has released eight albums. Chico Malandro, written by Paris on the topic of love, is considered Firmino's signature song. It can be found on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Cape Verde.

Africa's Premier Diva: Angélique Kidjo and "Bahia"

The legendary Angélique Kidjo sings the random tune for today, Bahia. A Grammy award winning singer-songwriter from Benin, Kidjo regularly makes world lists of notable and inspiring African women and as one of the world's greatest musicians. She is known for an astonishing variety of musical influences from diverse musical personalities and an array of genres. She sings in four languages (Fon, Yoruba, French and English) as well as her own personal language. After a childhood in Benin listening to traditional Beninese music as well as other world stars such as Fela Kuti, James Brown, Miriam Makeba, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Masakela and Stevie Wonder, among others, she began her musical career in Benin before moving to Paris in 1983 where she was discovered and signed to a major label. She has put out at least 15 albums. She does various forms of advocacy for UNICEF, African girls' education, hunger and third world health, among other things. Bahia can be found on her 2002 album Black Ivory Soul, and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa (2004). This video is from a live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Strange, Beautiful Bedfellows: Inflame and "9 Beats"

A mix of two traditions is featured in today's random song. 9 Beats is by Inflame, a New York City quartet that got together a few years ago and realized they had something with a combination of traditional flamenco and classical Indian music. Featuring mandolin, flamenco guitar, tabla, flamenco cajon and darbuka, Inflame creates a new sound that still sounds rooted in the traditional. 9 Beats can be found on Inflame's eponymous 2013 release.

Gypsy Moths: The Barons of Tang and "St. Vitus Dance"

Today's song is by The Barons of Tang, a Melbourne, Australia based group that provide what they call "gypsy deathcore." Begun in 2007, they began performing for underground theater and circus troupes. After their initial performances, they began touring Australia and other parts of the world, bringing their eclectic mix of tango, rockabilly, metal and gypsy music. They are relentless in their touring, and their music certainly has an edge. You can find this song, St. Vitus Dance, on their 2010 release Knots and Tangles.

Christmas in Siberia: White Fort and "Svyatki"

Well, we are a little early for this song, but so what? It's a pretty good song! Svyatki! is by Russian duo White Fort, also known as Two Siberians. The do consists of Artyom Yakushenko on electric violin and Yuriy Matveyev on electric guitar. Actual Siberians, they won a festival award in Novasibirsk in 1986 as best new artists, which almost got them expelled from high school. In 1997, they captured the attention of an American producer while playing for vodka shots at a Moscow photography exhibit, who casually mentioned that they should make a recording in the US. He was surprised to get a call from them at JFK airport as they seriously took him up on his offer. No major label was willing to sign them, and they embarked on a club tour of the US and then financed their own CD, engaging a number of major jazz artists on the recording. They broke up in 2009, but reunited onstage in Moscow in 2012. Not long after that performance, their song 6/8 won first place in the instrumental category of the International Songwriting Competition. The win gave them new energy, and they began performing and touring again. Though it is almost impossible to find their original recordings in the United States save their lone US release (Out of Nowhere), they did release two Anglicized versions of their Russian albums Two Kings and 6/8 in the US, and they have recorded songs in Seattle for a coming release to be announced. Svyatki!, a Christmas song, can be found on their 2012 album 6/8.

Minting Hits: Noura Mint Seymali and "Tzenni"

Accompanied by her husband on guitar, with drums and bass (played upside down by recent random tunist Ousmane Tourè, Noura Mint Seymali belts out Tzenni in today's random tune. From Mauritania, Seymali is from a long line of griots (musician, songwriter, and messenger caste in many parts of Africa). Part of this tradition is the pedigree - Seymali's mother was the equivalent of a national star and her father wrote Mauritania's national anthem. Seymali has created a sound melding traditional Moorish sounds with pop and funk, slowly stripping away the trappings and leaving something uniquely essential in the music while augmenting it with her amazing singing. Tzenni can be found on her 2014 album of the same name.

What Dem: Hakan Türkürer and Ali Sural with "Dem"

Hakan Türkürer & Ali Sural bring today's random song, entitled Dem. I couldn't find much information on Türkürer, who I assume is the trumpeter, but Ali Sural is a well known Turkish musician, DJ and prodcer from Istanbul who began his professional career at 17. He has continued to compose, perform on stage, has put out at least one album and has had his works included in many compilations, including the one from which this song was taken, Istanbul Calling, Vol. 2 (2007).

An Unrequited Love: Capercaillie and "Am Buachaille Ban"

Today's song's theme is made up of heartrending lyrics of unrequited love. It is brought to you by Capercaille, a Scottish folk band formed in the 1980s. Capercaille are named after the Scottish wood grouse. They perform traditional Gaelic songs along with songs in English of their own composition or by others, and often mix traditional songs with modern recording techniques, rhythms and instrumentation. At first sticking fairly closely to traditional styles and instrumentation, in the 1980s they added funk bass lines, synthesizers and electric guitar to traditional songs. In 1992, their EP A Prince Among Islands was the first Gaelic language record to reach the top 40 of the UK singles charts They have since been moving back toward more traditional music while retaining a slight fusion sound. This song, A Buachaille Ban, is from their 1987 album Crosswinds,

Desecration: Razia and "Slash and Burn"

Today's song is by Razia Said, also known as Razia, who hails from Madagascar. Drawing on her African influences and incorporating R&B and jazz, she records many songs in the Malagasay language, and aims the point of her songs toward protection and preservation of Madagascar's environment. A self-proclaimed nomad who has lived in Africa, France, Italy, Ibiza, Bali and New York City, she entertains us here with her song Slash and Burn. Recorded in English, it is an indictment of some of the techniques used in Madagascar to clear forest land. Slash and Burn can be found on her 2010 album Zebu Nation.

Wassalou Groove: Fatoumata Diawara and "Bissa"

Fatoumata Diawara is a Malian musician born in the Ivory Coast and currently living in France. She initially moved to France to try acting, but later took up guitar and began composing music that mixed her native Wassalou music of southern Mali with international influences. She has appeared in eight films and has released one solo album, Fatou, in 2011. She has collaborated with artists such as Bobby Womack, AfroCubism and Dee Dee Bridgewater. This song, Bissa, can be found on her 2012 release Fatou.

To the Grave: The Olllam and "The Tryst After Death"

The Olllam was created in 2012 by Northern Irish piper and whistler John McSherry, along with American musicians Tyler Duncan and Michael Shimmin. Their first album was created across the Atlantic through Skype, email and cellphone messages. They seem to channel at once Radiohead and Coldplay, along with The Bothy Band and Planxty. This song, The Tryst After Death, can be found on their 2012 debut album The Olllam.

Blazing New Trails: Juan Formell and Los Van Van with "Chapeando"

Chapeando is the title of today's random tune. The performers are Juan Formell and Los Van Van. Los Van Van is considered the most well-known post-revolutionary Cuban musical group and Formell is one of the most important figures in contemporary Cuban music. Formell formed Los Van Van in 1969 after breaking with Orquesta Revé where he had been musical director. Los Van Van infused Cuban son with elements of North American pop to try to capture the imagination of Cuba's younger generation. And it worked as the band gained commercial popularity by shattering previous formulaic restrictions on Cuban music. The band continued to innovate through the years, introducing new instrumentation, harmonies and arrangements never before used in Cuban music. In the 80s, Formell added trombones and was the first Cuban group to use synthesizers and drum machines. The band launched the careers of many well known Cuban artists today. Los Van Van continues to perform despite the death of Formell in 2014. Chapeando can be found on their 2005 album of the same name.

It's Only a Flesh Wound: King Fighter and "He No Dead Yet"

Today's song comes from King Fighter, a legendary calypso musician from Guyana. The stage name of Shurland Wilson, he got his performing name because he had been a boxer known for fancy footwork before starting his music career. He began by singing boleros and love songs before switching to calypso, where he made his name. He made a number of records in the 1950s and 60s which were released in the Caribbean and in Great Britain. King Fighter passed away in 1999 in Grenada, but as this song attests, because of his music...he no dead yet. He No Dead Yet can be found on the Smithsonian Folkways 2000 release Calypso Awakening.

Bernie Sanders' Hero: Olchey and "Chavadak (Song of the Hero of Socialist Labor)"

The random tune for today may bring back memories of the Cold War and communism. The song is called Chavadak (Song of the Hero of Socialist Labor). However, this is not just some old era Soviet propaganda band. The group that sings the song, Olchey, is an attempt to explore the similarities between the Asian and European ethnic music in Russia. Part of the band comes from the Karelian region, which is in Northwest Russia near Finland and Estonia. The other part of the group comes from Tuva, which is in south central Russia near Mongolia and whose people have ethnic and cultural ties to the Mongolian people. Olchey was conceived by actor and musician George Beletsky as a way to find intercultural communication through traditional wisdom as translated into modern times. The band, originally all Tuvan, achieved this synthesis when two members of the Karelian band Va-ta-ga joined Olchey. Olchey began creating a new sound with the combination of these two traditions. The result was the 2010 CD Shuga, the name of which means the fragile layer of ice at the water's edge in Karelia and "thin" in Tuvan. Chavadak (Song of the Hero of Socialist Labor) can be found as the fourth track on Shuga, and features lots of Tuvan throat singing to a funky yet ethnic beat.

Red, Not Green: Bendeniz and "Kirmizi Biber"

Today's tune comes to you from Turkey via Switzerland. Bendeniz is the performing name of Deniz Çelik, a Turkish pop star born in Zurich. She is very popular in Turkey, and has released twelve albums. She also won a contest on French TV in 1995. This song, Kirmizi Biber (Red Pepper), can be found on her 2005 album Aşk Yok mu Aşk and on the Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove CD (2006)

I Never Learned to Fly One: Nitin Sawhney and "Kite"

Today's song is called Kite. It is performed by Nitin Sawhney and features Soumik Datta and Nicki Wells. Nitin Sawhney is a British Indian musician, producer and composer. Combining Asian and other themes with jazz and electronica, he explores themes of multiculturalism, politics and spirituality. As a child, Sawhney studied piano, classical and flamenco guitar and tabla. After meeting up with acid-jazz keyboardist James Taylor and joining his quartet, he also began working with tabla player Talvin Singh and formed the Tihai Trio. After dropping out of school, Sawhney formed the comedy group The Secret Asians with friend Sanjeev Bhaskar and developed the award winning BBC comedy show Goodness Gracious Me. After the show ended he refocused on music and released his debut album in 1993. He has released nine albums, has contributed scores for stage, screen, television and video games, and has remixed a wide variety of artists including Sting, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney. He also has his own world music show on BBC Radio called Nitin Sawhney Spins the Globe. Soumik Datta, a sarod player, is being called one of the biggest new talents in Britain. Nicki Wells is a singer/songwriter and composer who is featured vocalist in Sawhney's band. Kite can be found on Sawhney's 2011 album Last Days of Meaning.

Sounds Like a Wild One: Gaelic Storm and "Death Ride to Durango"

Today's random song is by Gaelic Storm and called Death Ride to Durango. Gaelic Storm is an American Irish band formed in 1997 in Santa Monica, California. They play traditional Irish and Scottish music, as well as original music in the Celtic and Celtic rock genres. Gaelic Storm got a huge break in 1997 when they were cast as the steerage band in the blockbuster movie Titanic. They have burnished their resume by touring aggressively and adding new instrumentation to their ensemble, such as Uileann, Highland and Deger (electronic) bagpipes. Death Ride to Durango can be found on their 2008 album What's the Rumpus?

Hear the Global Music Show on the KUNM Two Week Archive!

Hi folks...we had a really good Global Music show last night. Loaded up on France in the beginning but widened out from there. If you want to catch it or relisten, please go to the KUNM two week archive at http://www.kunm.org/two-week-archive, punch in October 12 at 10 pm and let her go, Here's the playlist, in case you see something you like:

Ar Mi Puesc Leu Lauzar d'More - Manu Theron Gregory Dargent and Youssef Hbeisch (France) - Sirventes: Chants Fougeaux des Pays d'Oc

Farai un Vers de Dreit Nien - Manu Theron Gregory Dargent and Youssef Hbeisch (France) - Sirventes: Chants Fougeaux des Pays d'Oc

Sant Trofima - Lo Cor de la Plana (France) - Marcha!

Quand tu n'as que des bons amis - Moussu T E Lei Jovents (France) - Forever Polida

Lo Libre Salabrum - Moussu T E Lei Lovents (France) - Forever Polida

Serague - Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz (Egypt/France) - Ring Road

Kif - Beltuner (France) - Beltuner Album #2

Waltz in Paris - Ludovic Beier Quartet (France) - The Rough Guide to Paris Cafe

Slalom a la Croix Fry - Novelty Fox (France) - The Rough Guide to Paris Cafe

Jamais Quand Il Faut - Ibrahim Maalouf, Oxmo Puccino & Matrise de Radio France (France/Mali) - Au Pays d'Alice

Tante Miranda - J. Augus Pah (Timor) - Music of Timor

Jak To Dawni Dobrze Belo - R.U.T.A. (Poland) - Gore

Tangara - Hareton Salvanini (Brazil) - Hareton & Meta EP

Mango Season - Dokkerman & the Turkeying Fellaz (Hungary) - Illegal Move

Niran - Bixiga 70 (Brazil) - III

Rock Wit' Ya - Chris Ardoin (US) - Zydeko Fever

Get Yo' Money Up - Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers (US) - Face 2 Face - Nate the Great

Los Peces Gordos No Pueden Volar - Ana Tijoux (Chile/France) - Vengo

Cosb Mor Dlos (Khoobsorat Koi Sazaa) - Ghazalaw (India/Wales) - Ghazalaw

Kupalnocka - Sutari (Poland) - Wiano

Uts Pruut - Maarja Noot (Estonia) - Soolo

Took My Brother Down - Vieux Farka Toure & Julia Easterlin (Mali/US) - Touristes

Lullaby - The Lyre Ensemble (UK) - The Flood (feat. Stef Connor)

Schmolltime - Pascal Gentner (Germany) - Zuhause

Stairway to Heaven - Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mexico) - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Perfidia - Trio Melodicos (Cuba) - Putumayo Presents Vintage Latino

Primavera - Karen Ruimy (feat. Youth) (France/UK) - ZIK'R East

Fortune Teller - Marketa Irglova (Czech Rep.) - Muna

Dance Cycle - Imane Homsy (Lebanon) - Seigneur Kanoun

Samba Tomora - Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal (Mali/France) - Musique de Nuit

Zum Gali Gali - The San Diego Jewish Men's Choir (US) - Kochi

Kalbu Gnalagu - Ana Alcaide (Spain) - Gotrasawala Ensemble: Tales of Pangaea

Halitus - Mercan Dede (Turkey) - Breath

Carrying the Torch: Ousmane Touré and "Dimba"

Let's tango! Ousmane Touré brings us our random tune of the day, entitled Dimba. Touré is a Senegalese musician who lives in Paris. Formerly the leader of Touré Kunda, he now is a solo artist who blends griot singing and African lyrics with western styles. You can clearly hear the tango influence in Dimba, in which Touré sings about the Olympic flame and the respect it has in all cultures. Dimba can be found on Touré's 2006 release Avenue du Monde, and on the 2007 compilation Putumayo Presents: Tango Around the World.

Gettin' Hitched: The Wedding Sound System and "Wedding Song"

Off to Turkey for today's random song. I don't know much about this band nor this song. The context that might explain it is the movie that it's in - Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul. But I haven't seen that movie either. It has a cool soundtrack which was released in 2006, and this song, Wedding Song by The Wedding Sound System, is on it.

Reliance: A.R. Rahman and Chinmayee with "Tere Bina"

Back to India today for the random song. Sung by A.R. Rahman and Chinmayee, "Tere Bina" is from the soundtrack to the 2007 Indian movie Guru which is loosely based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries. A.R. Rahman is an Indian musician, composer, singer-songwriter, producer and philanthropist. Noted for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements, he made Time Magazine's list of the world's most influential people. Among his many awards are two Oscars and two Grammy's. He is best known in the US for his soundtrack to the hit film Slumdog Millionaire. Chinmayee (also known as Chinmayi) is a Indian playback singer, voice actor, television presenter and radio disc jockey. Tere Bina can be found on the soundtrack for Guru (2006) and on the 2009 compilation Putumayo Presents: India. The video plays the song over scenes from the movie.

Still Looking for the Perfect Man: Nitya Vidyasagar and Rohan Sukhdeo with "Rama's Great"

What is the experience of the wife married to the perfect man? Today's song is from a soundtrack to a movie that explores that question. Nitya Vidyasagar and Rohan Sukhdeo perform Rama's Great in the animated movie Sita Sings the Blues, which tells the life story of Sita in the classic Hindu text The Ramayana and does it from her perspective. Made by animator Nina Paley and employing different animation techniques, the movie was Paley's effort to put into perspective the end of her long relationship. Sita eventually becomes powerful in her own right. Sita Sings the Blues is available for free download on the internet. It's a good watch!

And Then: BiD with Seu Jorge and "E Depois..."

Today's song, E Depois... comes from Brazil and is brought to us by BiD and features Seu Jorge on vocals. BiD is a multi-instrumentalist and producer whose 2004 release Bambas & Biritas Vol. 1 (Spliffs and Booze Vol. 1) caused a sensation for its mix of samba, soul, funk, hip hop and electronica and its high powered guests such as Rappin Hood, DJ Soul Slinger and Elza Soares. Seu Jorge is a musician and actor who is best known for his starring role in the film City of God and who was in the movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (for which he also provided covers of David Bowie songs in the soundtrack). E Depois... (And Then...) can be found on the compilation album Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Lounge (2006).

Yes We Khan: Various Artists and "Khamag Mongol"

So, I don't really know how to explain this song. Actually I do, sort of. Singers from different regions that consider themselves of Mongolian descent came together to do this song, Khamag Mongol, that celebrates Mongolian culture and unity. At least that's how I imagine it and I'm probably not that far off. Wikipedia defines Khamag Mongol as a 12th century tribal confederation that preceded the Mongol Empire But that's where my knowledge ends. I don't know who the singers are, nor do I know what the lyrics say. All I know is that the costumes are cool, the landscape of Mongolia starkly beautiful, and the sentiment seems real. I can't tell you where to find a recorded copy of Khamag Mongol, so you'll just have to enjoy this video.

Between the Spreadsheets: Deolinda and "Fado Notário"

Today's song brings us to Portugal with the song "Fado Notário." Deolinda formed in 2006 when the brothers Pedro da Silva Martins and Luis José Martins asked their cousin Ana Bacalhau to sing on a few songs they had written. Realizing that her voice fit perfectly with their songs, they began Deolinda and rounded out the band with her husband José Pedro Leitã. The band is best known for performing a song called Parva que Sous at their early concerts which was a social criticism of Portugal and the lack of opportunities for young people. The song became an anthem among economically affected youth in Portugal and went viral on social media, with bootleg copies of concert performances shared in great numbers. The band's style is inspired by the genre of fado, but they have made numerous departures from the form. While traditional fado utilizes Portuguese guitar, the band does not. Deolinda's songs are often contain social criticism, and can be lively, upbeat, ironic and humorous which does not fit the usual melancholy style of fado. Fado performers often dress in black when performing, but Deolinda does not follow this tradition either. Their music has thus been described as "neofado." "Fado Notário" is from their 2010 release Dois Selos e um Carimbo, and is reflective and sad song about a woman's affair with a notary "between files and cabinets."

She Gave Birth to Us All: The Power of One Soundtrack and "Mother Africa"

The song for today comes from the soundtrack of a movie about South Africa. The Power of One, adapted from a novel by Bryce Courtenay, is the story of a young English boy in South Africa and his complicated relationships under apartheid with others in the country, both black and white. German composer and music producer Hans Zimmer composed much of the music for the movie in collaboration with Lebo M, a South African vocalist and composer who arranged and performed music for The Lion King movies and stage productions. This song, Mother Africa, can be found on The Power of One soundtrack, released in 1992.

I Want to See You Dance Again: Bebel Gilberto and "Harvest Moon"

Today's random tune is beautiful! An amazing Neil Young tune, Harvest Moon, is covered by Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto. A popular singer often associated with bossa nova, she is the daughter of João Gilberto and the singer Miúcha. Born in New York City in 1966 while her parents lived there for a brief time, she traveled as a child with her father and eventually settled in Rio de Janeiro with her mother, traveling back and forth between her parents in Rio and New York. Through her father she became acquainted with his collaborators Caetano Veloso, David Byrne, and Stan Getz. She also began singing with her mother, and at age seven made her debut on her mother's first solo album, Miúcha and Antônio Carlos Jobim. In 1979 she performed with her mother and Stan Getz at Carnegie hall. She released her first album, an EP, in 1986, and her first full-length album of electronic bossa nova in 2000. She redefined her style in her second album, Bebel Gilberto, to an acoustic lounge style. In her third album, Momento, she fused both electronic bossa nova and acoustic lounge together. She continues to perform and record. Harvest Moon can be found on her 2014 release titled Tudo.

Spanish Celtic: Carlos Núñez and "Tro Breizh (Danzas Macabras)"

Today's random tune is by Spanish/Galician musician Carlos Núñez Muñoz, who usually goes by Carlos Núñez. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays the gaita, the Galician bagpipe, Galician flute, ocarina, Irish flute, whistle and low whistle. He was born in Vigo, Spain and began to play bagpipes at eight. He met Paddy Maloney of The Chieftains in his late teens and performed with the band, becoming known as the band's 7th member, as well as appearing with them on their album Santiago which focused on Galician music. He continues to tour, play in large and small venues and release recordings. This video is of a live performance of his Tro Breizh (Danzas Macabras), which can be found on his 2014 album Inter-Celtic.

Jesus Loves You: The Mediaeval Baebes and "Love Me Broughte"

Now you've done it! The Global Music Randomizer has gone mediaeval on your keesters for today's tune by the Mediaeval Baebes. Love Me Broughte is from their 2003 album Mistletoe and Wine. The Mediaeval Baebes began in 1996 when a group of friends led by Katherine Blake of Miranda Sex Garden broke into a North London cemetery and sang a capella in flowing white robes and leaf garlands. They soon became an ensemble, and their first album, Salva Nos, shot to number two on the classical charts. It didn't hurt that they were all beautiful and very talented. The group has since had many incarnations. They sing in an array of obscure and ancient languages, and have placed three albums in the top ten of the classical charts and participated in the BBC's television series The Virgin Queen. The songs lyrics translate to a love song sung by humanity's savior to humankind.

Favela Romance: Luisa Maita and "Maria e Moleque"

Luisa Maita, a Brazilian singer-songwriter, brings us our random tune today. Born into a musical family in Sao Paolo, Brazil, she learned to sing samba and bossa nova as well as her father's compositions, and her professional career began at age seven singing jingles. She founded her first band, Urbanda, in 1999 and began collaborating with musicians from her generation. A collaboration with Brazilian singer Virginia Rosa, who recorded two of Maita's songs for one of her albums, encouraged Maita to continue writing songs. In 2010 she recorded her solo album Lero-Lero, which led National Public Radio to hail her as the "New Voice of Brazil." Her music draws inspiration from the samba, but also pop influences such as Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder. This song, Maria e Moleque, is from her 2010 release Lero-Lero.

Stinging: BeauSoleil and "Bee's Blues"

Today's tune is Bee's Blues by BeauSoleil. BeauSoleil was founded in 1975, released its first album in 1977 and became one of the most well-known groups from playing traditional and original music in the Creole tradition of Louisiana. They have also gone beyond the traditional, incorporating rock and roll, jazz, blues, calypso and other genres. They are an extensive touring band, and they sing in both English and Colonial Louisiana French. The band takes its name from Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil, who led the Acadian resistance to British deportation from Canada and led 193 exiles to safety in Louisiana. The band almost didn't come to be - Michael Doucet, one of the founders, was going to New Mexico to study the Romantic Poets, but he won a Folk Arts Apprenticeship sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. As he puts it: "I traded William Blake for Dewey Balfa," and he sought out every living Cajun/Creole performer to learn what he could about Cajun music and their techniques. He even encouraged some to resume performing. BeauSoleil are one of the few Creole/Cajun groups to win a Grammy. Bee's Blues can be found on their 1997 album The Best of Beausoleil.