Showing 1 - 8 of 8
The craic was 90
Life, John Clewley, Published on 15/03/2022
» Bangkok's resident Irish music expert Prof Mick Moloney recently journeyed back to his old stomping ground in New York to perform with his musical mates at the annual Irish Heritage Concert at St Patrick's Cathedral. The concert is held each year to celebrate St Patrick's Day. This year it was held on March 10.
It's a transglobal affair
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/09/2019
» The summer festival season in Europe, North America and Japan draws to a close this month as bands rest up from touring and take a break before the end-of-year festive season. Those bands that have put out summer releases hope that their albums reach the various charts and get decent airplay; others, meanwhile, have waited for the end of the season to release their new music, so we have a mixture of hot releases from the summer and new ones just released.
African roots, Latin rhythms
Life, John Clewley, Published on 20/06/2017
» West African bands and artists dominate the European Broadcast Union's World Music Chart for June, with one of West Africa's most loved dance bands, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab, riding high at top spot, with their first studio album for a decade, Tribute To Ndiouga Dieng.
Fresh sounds
Life, John Clewley, Published on 07/03/2017
» Garifuna music, a sublime blend of local indigenous and African music from Honduras and Belize has topped the European Broadcast Union's World Music charts. Led by the late Andy Palacio, a famous "Punta rock" (Belize's most popular music) musician who returned to his roots to resurrect Garifuna culture through music. Aurelio picked up the baton from Palacio and has made his name internationally with a series of delightful albums.
New releases for June
Life, John Clewley, Published on 23/06/2015
» Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba continue to dominate the top spot on this month's European Broadcast union Top 10 World Music chart. The Malian, who has brought the ngoni or Malian lute, to global fame, is on a hectic summer touring schedule that sees the band play in European and US festivals. Catch him if you can but if you can't get his new album Ba Power.
Molam Ecstasy
Life, John Clewley, Published on 08/04/2014
» There have been some memorable live performances at Paradise Bangkok nights over the past five years. Yasothon province’s Dao Bandon was one of the first, and he was followed by the debut of the ZudRangMa record label member, The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, who provided the backing for luk thung Isan stalwart Saksiam Petchchompu and molam star Pimjai Petchpalangjai. Another 1970s molam star, Aungkanang Kunchai, one of the great singers of the genre currently performing, gave her first Bangkok gig in 30 years at one of the shows.
Far-flung sounds
Life, John Clewley, Published on 14/01/2014
» This year marks the 20th anniversary of the World Beat column, which started in February 1994, way back in the last century. At that time, CDs ruled the roost and there were plenty of stores selling "world music" in Bangkok; international chains like Tower Records had a significant presence, supported by local chains selling Thai and international music. Cassettes were slowly being phased out in provincial towns, replaced by CDs, while downloads were in the distant future.
Southeast Asia's kaleidoscope of sounds
Life, John Clewley, Published on 23/04/2013
» The Asean Economic Community (AEC) is due to open the markets of 10 countries in Southeast Asia in 2015 and much has been written about how best to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities the economic union will bring.