Fading Ink: Myrtille and "Les Pages"

Today's random song is by French singer Myrtille. I can't find much information on her, unfortunately. The song is titled Les Pages and can be found on her 2007 album Murmeres, and on the 2006 compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Paris.

Fairies are Evil: Loreena McKennitt and "Stolen Child"

A poem by Irish poet William Butler Yeats put to song is today's random tune. Stolen Child is performed by Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian known for her soprano voice. She is a composer, harpist, accordionist and pianist who writes and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern themes. She released her first album in 1985, and since then has gone on to release nine studio albums and five live albums which have sold 14 million copies worldwide. Her songs have also been featured in television and movies. Stolen Child can be found on McKennitt's 1999 album Elemental. The song is about the abduction of human children by faeries, as related in Irish mythology.

Doing the Dub: Baba Zula and Mad Professor with "Cecom"

Cecom, our random tune of the day, is by Baba Zula in collaboration with Mad Professor. Founded in 1996, Baba Zula is a Turkish alternative group that creates a psychedelic sound combining traditional Turkish instruments, electronica, reggae and dub. At the core of their sound is the saz, a Turkish bouzouki-like stringed instrument with a bright, high-pitched sound. Baba Zula became well known outside of Turkey when they appeared in the 2005 documentary Crossing the Bridge, and have since performed in many high profile world music festivals. They have released eight albums. Mad Professor is a Guyanese dub music producer and engineer known for original productions and remix work. He is a leading figure of dub's second generation and as such has been instrumental in bringing dub into the digital age. Cecom is from Baba Zula with Mad Professor's 2003 album Psychebelly Dance Music.

A Star Inside Your Heart: MC Yogi and "Sunlight"

MC Yogi brings us the random some of today, entitled Sunlight. MC Yogi is the avatar of Nicholas Giacomini, a Bay Area hip hop artist and yogi who promotes themes of Hindu religion and philosophy. Giacomini began rapping at 13 and, while living in home for at-risk children at age 17, he became a practitioner of yoga after his father took it up. His songs are often bhajans, or devotional songs, celebrating one or another of the Hindu deities. At other times, he provides interesting history lessons on the lives of important historical figures within Hinduism, such as Gandhi. At times, even when he is doing nothing but beatboxing, his songs can sound like mantras or prayers. Sunlight can be found on MC Yogi's 2012 album Pilgrimage.

Something About Boys: Badly Drawn Boy and "Something to Talk About"

,br /> Today's song is from the soundtrack to the movie About a Boy, and is sung by the English singer Damon Michael Gough, also known by his stage name Badly Drawn Boy. He began his music career in 1997, and released five EPs between 1997 and 1999. He released his first album in 2000 to critical acclaim, and won the Mercury Music Prize that year. This exposure led to his being asked to score the film About a Boy, based on Nick Hornby's novel. Three singles were released from that album. He has released eight albums, though his later albums have not done as well as his earlier work in sales or in critical acclaim. In 2002, Badly Drawn Boy was named by Q Magazine as one of the 50 bands to see before you die. This song, Something to Talk About, can be found on the album About a Boy, released in 2002.

Mercy of the Universe: Cathie Ryan and "Understanding Love"

Today's tune 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. She was also exposed to the music of Appalachia from neighbors who had migrated to Michigan to work in the auto factories and she 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. This song, Understanding Love, can be found on her 1998 album The Music of What Happens.

Tortilla Western: Liber Terán and "El Gitano Western"

Today's random song is provided by Liber Terán. El Gitano Western is a bonus track from his 2008 album of the same name. Liber Terán is a founding member and former lead singer and guitarist of the Mexican band Los de Abajo, which focused on Latin ska, rock, salsa. reggae, cumbia, Son Jarocho and banda sinaloense. As a solo artist, Terán has expanded his repertoire to explore classic rock and roll and Balkan influences.

Along the Way: Fiamma Fumana and "Strade d'Appennino"

The random song for today is called Strade d'Appennino, and is played by Fiamma Fumana, an Italian band that was formed 1999 and mixes traditional Italian music with electronica. Their name translates as "flame fog" or "fire mist." They started out as a trio, but added two members for their second album, and use a mix of modern, traditional and electronic instrumentation. Strade d'Apennino can be found on their 2006 album Onda.

A Truth Self Evident: Maher Zain and "Freedom (Acoustic Version)"

Today's random tune is by Maher Zain, a 34 year old Swedish-Muslim R&B singer of Lebanese origin whose Wikipedia page claims that he has more Facebook fans than any other Muslim musician. His family emigrated to Sweden when he was eight and studied aeronautical engineering in college. He started his music career when he teamed up with Moroccan-Swedish producer RedOne and followed him to New York where he produced US artists such as Kat DeLuna. He eventually returned home to Sweden and re-engaged with his Islamic faith, which led him to move out of producing and into a career as a singer/songwriter of R&B songs with a strong Muslim/religious theme. He sings mainly in English, but has also released some of his most popular songs in other languages. He maintains a strong following in Malaysia and Indonesia. This song, Freedom (Acoustic Version), is a single that he released in 2011.

Peregrinations: The Battlefield Band and "Tramps and Hawkers"

The Battlefield Band brings us the random tune for the day. The Battlefield Band is a Scottish traditional music group founded in 1969. They are noted for the mix of bagpipes with other instruments, and their renditions of traditional songs and new material. While the band has gone through several lineups, their formula remains the same - bagpipes, electric keyboards (unusual for a traditional band) and no percussion (again, unusual). They have released 31 albums and have been nominated for many awards. This song, Tramps and Hawkers, can be found on their 1997 live performance CD Across the Borders - though this version comes from another live performance recording. The song is from Scotland and dates before 1850. It was first made famous by Ewan MacColl - and has been recorded by a number of other musicians since including The Dubliners. There are also a number of other songs that use the same tune, including Shane MacGowan's Song with No Name.

A Hard Song: Vusi Mahlasela and "Song for Thandi"

Today's random tune is by Vusi Mahlasela. Sometimes called "The Voice of South Africa" for his work in African folk music, Vusi Mahlasela served as an inspiration for the anti-apartheid movement with songs that focused on freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation. He has collaborated with musicians such as Dave Matthews, Josh Groban and Taj Mahal, has performed at many famous live concert events such as Live 8 and Live Earth, and sang for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration in London. ITV used one of his songs as their theme song for their World Cup coverage in South Africa, and he also performed at the South Africa World Cup kickoff concert. This song, Song for Thandi, is from his 2007 CD Guiding Star - that album garnered him Best Male Artist in the South Africa Music Awards. The song is a hard one about a pregnant woman who is arrested for associations to political groups, and told to kill herself in jail, and as she puts the gun to her head, she feels the baby kicking and decides to live.

Supertrampin': Gaelic Storm and "The Long Way Home"

Gaelic Storm brings us the random tune for today called The Long Way Home. 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. The Long Way Home can be found on their 2006 album Bring Yer Wellies.

Dropping the Bom: Masaladosa and "Bom Shankar"

The random tune for today, Bom Shankar, is by Masaladosa, a French electronic band that has worked with artists such as Indian sitarist Anoushka Shankar and Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player Manu Dibango. formed in 2002, they are best known for music that they composed for the film Sita Sings the Blues. You can find Bom Shankar on the Sita Sings the Blues film soundtrack (2010)

Word to Ukraine: DakhaBrakha and "Karpatsky Rep"

DakhaBrakha, a band from Ukraine that presents the styles of several different ethnic groups, including Indian, Arabic, African, Russian and Australian instrumentation, brings us a tune called Karpatskyi Rep (Carpathian Rap). DakhaBrakha's name is a combination of two Ukrainian words meaning "give" and "take." All the groups members are graduates of the Kiev National University of Culture and Arts, and DakhaBrakha was originally a project of the avant-garde theater project called Dakh. This theatricality is embodied in their shows, including their on-stage costuming. Karpetsky Rep can be found on their 2014 album Light. If you ever get a chance to see this band...just do it. You won't be disappointed.

Here's Looking at You: The Pogues and "A Pair of Brown Eyes"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Our random tune is from The Pogues, a Celtic punk band from London. Formed in 1982, The Pogues became internationally prominent in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band was originally fronted by Shane MacGowan, who left in 1991 due to drinking problems. The band has since been fronted first by Joe Strummer and then by Spider Stacy. The band broke up in 1996 after releasing their final album Pogue Mahone, but reformed in 2001 and has been playing regular gigs but has no plans to record a new album. The Pogues music is influenced by punk, but uses traditional Irish instruments such as tin whistle, cittern, mandolin and accordion. The band's name comes from "Pogue Mahone," an anglicized version of an Irish phrase meaning "kiss me arse." This song, A Pair of Brown Eyes, can be found on their 1985 album Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, as well as many compilation and "best of" albums.

Salsa Remembrance: Fruko y sus Tesos with "A la Memoria del Muerto"

Colombian salsa group Fruko y sus Tesos brings us the song for today, called A la Memoria del Muerto. The band was formed in 1969 by Julio Ernesto Estrada (Fruko), who took his nickname after a popular fruit company, FRUCO, in Colombia after it was pointed out that he resembled the company's mascot. In 1973 really became known after hiring Joe Arroyo as lead singer. In 1998, the band wrote the anthem for the Colombian futbol team after it secured a spot in the World Cup. You can find A la Memoria del Muerto on their 1999 compilation Fruko y sus Tesos: Greatest Hits 2.

Soul Soother: Bob Marley and "Satisfy My Soul"

Satisfy My Soul, by Bob Marley, is the random tune for today. Originally performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers, this version is off his album Kaya (1978) which was recorded after the breakup of the original Wailers. Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician and guitarist who achieved worldwide fame with his reggae. He released 15 albums, including two live albums. He died from malignant melanoma in 1981.

Sicilian Folk: Agricantus and "Spunta Lu Suli"

Today's random song is by Agricantus, a Sicilian musical group that was founded in 1979 during the revival of Andean and South American folk music and during the ascent of the Nueva Canción Chilena. They hit their stride in the 90s with the release of the album Gnanzu!, which was devoted to the music of southern Italy. The group had some internal dissension, splitting into two distinct bands using the name Agricantus, but has resumed as one group since 2010. This song, "Spunta Lu Suli," can be found on Agricantus' 1993 release Gnanzu! I found the song with this video, and I am not quite sure what the video is for, so enjoy the music!

Beginning, Middle and End: Anoushka Shankar with Shubha Mudgal and "Krishna"

Today's random song is by the daughter of a legend who is almost a legend herself. Krishna is by Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of Ravi Shankar, famed Indian sitar player and companion to The Beatles. She is also the half sister of performer Norah Jones. Anoushka Shankar is a famed sitar player in her own right. She began training to play sitar under her father at age seven, and by age ten she was accompanying him on tanpura in his performances. She gave her first public performance on sitar at 13, accompanied by tabla player Zakir Hussain. At fifteen, she assisted in the production of Ravi Shankar's landmark Chants of India, and producer George Harrison put her in charge of notation and conducting the accompanying musicians. She signed her first record deal at 16, and released her first album, Anoushka, in 1998. After her second album, she took time off from recording to concentrate on building a career outside of her father's ensemble. In 2007, she collaborated with Karsh Kale on an album mixing classical Indian sitar with electronica. Since then, she has had a prolific and very creative period as an artist and performer. Krishna can be found on her 2011 album Traveller. The song features the vocals of Shubha Mudgal, an award winning singer of Hindustani classical music, Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, and Indian pop music. The album as a whole is an exploration of the shared history of flamenco and Indian classical music.

Maybe It's the Food: Orchestre Tropicana D'Haiti and "Gason Total"

Today's song, Gason Total, is by the Orchestre Tropicana D'Haiti, the only big band left performing in Haiti. That's about all I could find on them. The picture in the video is of Joe Zenny, a Haitian singer and actor. I'm not sure if this is him singing with the Orchestre. Regardless, it's a nice tropical tune that can be found on the compilation CD Putumayo World Party (2007). Enjoy!

Shake Ya Brass: Kočani Orkestar and "But Katili"

Shake ya brass! Today's song, But Katili, is by the Kočani Orkestar, a Macedonian Romani brass band. The band takes Balkan brass band styles that are descended from Ottoman army brass bands, along with gypsy tunes, Turkish rhythms, and a little bit of Latin styles, and really funks it up. You may recognize their music from the movie Borat - a song was used without their authorization and they are currently suing for compensation. But Katili can be heard on their 2008 CD The Ravished Bride.

Raï to the World: Cheb Mami and "Viens Habibi"

Today's tune, Viens Habibi, is by Algerian raï singer Ahmed Khelifati Mohamed, better known as Cheb Mami. Mami sings in both Algerian and French, and his music is a mix of influences from Mediterranean and Western music, including Turkish, flamenco, Greek and Latin musics. A resident of Paris, he came to world attention when he sang a duet with Sting on the single Brand New Day. However, he has had a career punctuated by scandal, both for plagiarism in which he had to compensate singer Cheb Rabah in the amount of 200,000 Euros and his arrest in France in 2006 for abuse against an ex-girlfriend. He was supposed to serve five years in prison, but gained a conditional release in 2010. Viens Habibi can be heard on his 2001 album Dellalli, and on the 2005 compilation CD Putumayo Presents: North African Groove.

What a Name: Smadj and "Inspiré Par Une Ile"

Today's tune is an interesting , modern sounding mashup of traditional music and exotic vocals over modern, electronic beats. The artist, Jeanne-Pierre Smadja (whose stage name is Smadj) is a Tunisian born, Parisian musician who takes inspiration from Asian, Brazilian, funk, soul and folk music. He started studying music at age 15 with a focus on the guitar, and he became known for turning traditional jazz into eclectic sounds. He gained a degree in sound engineering and became a recording and sound engineer for classical and folk musicians. He released his first solo album in 1994, and eventually became recognized for his blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. He was a co-founder of the famous acoustical group DuOud. He also has worked with a number of famous Turkish musicians, such as Burhan Öçal, Savas Zurnaci and Orhan Osman. You can find this song, Inspiré Par Une Ile, on the compilation CD Istanbul Calling, Vol. 2: Ethnic Electronic (2007).

Global Music Show for Monday, 3/7 is at KUNM Two Week Archive

Last night's Global Music Show can be accessed on the KUNM Two Week Archive. Just put in Monday, 3/7/16 at 10 pm and hit play! The playlist for the show is as follows, with title, artist (country), and album:

Approximately 10 pm - 11:00 pm

1. Sweet Child O' Mine, Metalachi (Mexico/US), Uno

2. Good Men, Buika (Spain), Vivir Sin Miedo

3. Travels (Live), Jake Shimabukuro (Hawaii), Live in Japan

4. Bohemian Rhapsody, Jake Shimabukuro (Hawaii), Live in Japan

5. Cinquante Six, Ali Farka Touré (Mali), The Source

6. Amour, Rokia Traoré (Mali), Né So

7. Diplôme, Josey (Cote d'Ivoire), Africanmoove Hits 2016

8. Los Muros, Aziza Brahim (Western Sahara), Abbar el Hamada

9. Ha'Yad Ha'Chama (The Warm Hand), Idan Raichel (Israel), At the Edge of the Beginning

10. Al Shatte' Al Akhar, Kamilya Jubran (Palestine), Listen to the Banned (Freemuse & Deeyah Present)

11. How to Save a Life (Vector of Eternity), Mikael Seifu (Ethiopia), Zelalem - EP

Approximately 11:00 pm - 12:00 am

12. Ey Zahit Saraba Eyle Ihtiram, Erkan Ogur & Ismail H.Demircioglu (Turkey), Gülün Kokusu Vardı

13. Raag Sarang: Rachana: Kaharva Taal, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (India), Lure of Desert

14. Baari Barsi, Ryan Singh (feat. Kiran Preet) (Scotland), Dholicious

15. Demon Lover, Tim O'Brien (United States), Two Journeys

16. Island Paddy, Lúnasa (Ireland), The Kinnitty Sessions

17. Kitty's Wedding, Eileen Ivers (United States), Beyond the Bog Road

18. Linin' Track, Eileen Ivers (United States), Beyond the Bog Road

19. The Rag Man, Byrne and Kelly (Ireland), Echoes

Approximately 12:00 am - 1:00 am

20. Casadh an tSúgáin, The Gloaming (Ireland), 2

21. Tonny, Afrika Mamas (South Africa), Afrika Mamas

22. Qathaka, Afrika Mamas (South Africa), Afrika Mamas

23. Co Era So, Ok! Ryos (New Caledonia), Wa Coco Le Meilleur D Ok Ryos

24. Siné xoleng, Nayrouz (New Caledonia), Mikizié

25. Perfidia, Carrie Rodriguez (United States), Lola

26. Estrella Fugaz, Manguito (United States), Sabores - EP

27. Una Canción de Amor Esta Noche, Silvio Rodríguez (Cuba), Amoríos

28. Orin Adetutu, Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band (Nigeria), Táabákú

29. Boza Limunada, Eva Salina (United States), Lema Lema: Eva Salina Sings Šaban Bajramović

30. Reversals, Takénobu, Reversal, Reversing

Be Still My Heart: Van Morrison and The Chieftains with "Irish Heartbeat"

Today's random tune is by The Chieftains and Van Morrison. 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 by The Village Voice. Our tune today is the title tune from that album.

Tallying Up: Ron Wiseman and "Measure for Measure"

Our featured random song today is by Ron Wiseman. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada and exposed in his childhood to such types of music as rock, r&b and blues, he began playing blues piano as a child. He worked with some bands as a young adult, and diversified his playing to rockabilly, country and r&b. he was living in Toronto when he took a vacation to Israel. While traveling in the hills of Judea, he had a mystical experience which led him to create music that he called Spiritual (or Conscious) Reggae based on the words of the Torah and other Jewish religious texts. He came back to Canada, began putting songs together and playing them in his club gigs. The result was a mixture of reggae, ska, rock and blues and which earned him the unofficial title of "the king of Jewish reggae." His website says that he interprets sacred texts through the eyes of a musician who has experienced love and suffered loss. He has shared the stage with Kinky Friedman, recorded in Jamaica with Sugar Minott and has built a following of fans from many backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. He is currently a resident of Tel Aviv, Israel. This song, Measure for Measure, is off his 2005 release Mystical Mood.

Bono Would Approve: Hapa and "Pride (In the Name of Love)"

The Global Music randomizer seems to have a thing for Hawaiian bands lately. Today's random tune is by Hapa, whose name Hapa means "half," and refers to the fact that one of the members, Barry Flanagan, is a white guy from New Jersey who is currently paired up with native Hawaiian Ron Kuala'au. Flanagan has been a consistent 30 year member of the duo. He started out partnering with Keli'i Ho'omalu Kaneali'i. Following Kaneali'i, Flanagan teamed with Nathan Aweau, who eventually left for a solo career. Flanagan then partnered with Hawaiian chanter Charles Ka'upu, who described Hapa's goal as helping revive the Polynesian language and to totally change the way the world perceives Hawaiian music. Unfortunately, Ka'upu died suddenly and unexpectedly in his early 50s in 2011. In its new incarnation Hapa continues to draw from jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass, Latin, flamenco, rock, Irish music and slam poetry as well as traditional Hawaiian music. Hapa's debut CD in 1995 became the biggest selling album ever by a Hawaiian group, and they have since released eight albums. Today's song, a cover of U2's Pride (In the Name of Love), can be found on their 2002 album In the Name of Love. I found the song online as part of a Martin Luther King tribute video.

Jimi Would Totally Jam With Him: Oumar Konaté and "Laissez Nous Tranquille"

The random tune for today will wake you up. It is a hard driving guitar tune by Malian musician Oumar Konaté called Laissez Nous Tranquille (Leave Us Alone). Konaté started music at an early age, astounding his hometown of Gao with nightly performances on an old bucket, helmet and drum outside his family's home. He joined the Orchestra of Gao while in high school and accompanied them on their national tour. While in the orchestra, he was introduced to guitar. He went on to enroll in the National Institute of Arts in Bamako and recorded his first album there which brought him to the attention of many artists such as Vieux Farka Touré, Sidi Touré and Khaira Arby. He has performed in numerous festivals all over the globe, and has received accolades worldwide for his music. The recorded version of Laissez Nous Tranquille can be found on his 2014 CD Addoh.

Hawaii Renaissance Man: Kuana Torres Kahele and "Kawaihae"

Does the warmer weather have you thinking about Hawaii? Here is a song to scratch that itch. Kawaihae is by Kuana Torres Kahele, a Hawaiian musician, vocalist, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and educator. While he does traditional Hawaiian music, he is more well known for his original compositions which he performs on a variety of instruments such as ukelele, guitar, ipu (a percussion instrument made from a gourd) and bass. He is a co-founder of the award winning Hawaiian group Na Palapalai, and released his first solo album in 2012. He has voiced the lead character in the 2014 Pixar short Lava, and he teaches cultural workshops and classes. He operates the Na Lei Lanakila O Ni'ihau halau (hula school) in Hawaii and the Kuana School of Hawaiian Music & Culture in three Japanese cities. The recorded version of Kawaihae can be found on his CD Music for the Hawaiian Islands: Vol. 1 Hawaii Keawe (2014).

I Dream of Genie: Christine Salem and "Djinn"

Today's random tune is performed by Christine Salem from the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, a French territory about 120 miles southeast of Mauritius. Her music centers around "maloya," the traditional music made up of work songs and chants of the former African slaves of the island. These songs are percussion driven and of the call and response type and are often used to induce a trance where one communes with their ancestors in a musical gathering called "servis kabaré". The music was illegal on the island until 1981, as it was considered by the Catholic Church to be "devil's music" and by the authorities as a political threat. In fact, a woman singing this type of music upset some of the older generation, because it was also generally seen as "men's music." Salem came upon the music while attending a servis kabaré, and she became hooked. She has received international acclaim for this music, and has performed at WOMAD. The recorded version of this song, Djinn, can be found on her 2013 CD Salem Tradition.

A Reel Birthday: Altan and Drumnagarry/Pirrie Wirrie/Big John's"

A very happy birthday to Ms. Megan Kamerick, host of this show, on today. The random tune today is actually appropriate as it hearkens to her Irish heritage. Drumnagarry/Pirrie Wirrie/Big John's is a set of tunes performed by Altan, a band originally formed in County Donegal by vocalist and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy in 1987 after the pair initially released a pair of albums as a duo. They named the band after a lake in County Donegal. County Donegal has a rich tradition of Irish music and styles, and Altan made this music available to the world and in the process became known worldwide with a popularity to match The Chieftains. Kennedy died of Ewings sarcoma in 1994, leaving Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh to keep the band going. Altan has recorded and toured with fellow countrymen The Chieftains, and other musicians such as such as Enya, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt and Alison Krauss. Drumnagarry/Pirrie Wirrie/Big John's can be found on their 1993 release Island Angel.

Not a Miscue: Zap Mama and "Miss QN"

Today's song is by Belgian artist Zap Mama, and is called Miss QN. Zap Mama is the music act of Belgian artist Marie Daulne. Daulne sings in polyphonic and Afro-pop styles, infusing harmony with African vocal techniques, as well as throwing in some hip hop. Much of her musical inspiration comes from her roots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where her Belgian father was killed during the Congo Crisis. Her Congolese mother and all the children were airlifted to Belgium, where she grew up in a household infused with Congolese culture but also in a society where there were few black people. Her first musical influences were African songs her mother sang, European music, especially French, and later blues, reggae and hip hop. In 1984, she returned to the Congo to learn about her heritage and trained in pygmy onomatopoetic techniques. First conceived of as an a capella quintet, Zap Mama has evolved to just Daulne's voice and instrumentation. Miss QN can be found on Zap Mama's 2004 CD Ancestry in Progress.