Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Celebrating three decades of discovery
Life, John Clewley, Published on 27/02/2024
» World Beat celebrates 30 years on the music trail this month. The column started in Feb 1994 when Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party was in his first term as Prime Minister.
The sounds of the jungle
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/05/2022
» The acclaimed traditional music ensemble Fong Naam was founded in 1981 by American Bruce Gaston and "Teacher" Boonyong Khetkong. Even after the death of some of the original masters, all of whom were national artists, the band remains Thailand's most well-known musical group internationally.
Old classics revived with high-tech edge
Life, John Clewley, Published on 02/02/2021
» The Penguin Encyclopedia Of Popular Music released in 1991, edited by Donald Clarke, has more than 3,000 entries on rock, rock'n'roll, folk, soul, R&B, gospel, country and swing, and a whole host of lesser-known genres. Musicians, songwriters and producers are all in this tome.
Northeastern grooves by way of Amsterdam
Life, John Clewley, Published on 24/09/2019
» Apichat Pakwan, a fusion or hybrid music collective from Isan and the Netherlands, will release their first album, Esantronics, at the end of October. The band released an EP in 2017 but this will be their full-length debut and fans of Isan and electronic music will be delighted.
David Attenborough's longtime field-recordings passion project
Life, John Clewley, Published on 27/11/2018
» Sir David Attenborough is famous for his natural-history TV series and documentaries. Life On Earth, Living Planet, The Life Of Birds, The Private Life Of Plants, Life In The Undergrowth and, most recently, Blue Planet have all been shown in many countries. His hushed, almost whispered narration to all these fascinating films is now part of the broadcasting ether.
Tunes from out of space
Life, John Clewley, Published on 23/08/2016
» The cosmic connection in music has spawned colourful characters and great musicians like Sun Ra and George Clinton. The innovative bandleader Ra said he'd been born in outer space, a claim also made by Clinton (although the latter's sister reportedly said that she thought he had been born in North Carolina). Listening to their music or watching Clinton's huge Mothership descend onto a stage that included at least one musician dressed in adult diapers, you'd certainly be excused for thinking these talented musicians were indeed from outer space.
Get into the groove
Life, John Clewley, Published on 29/04/2014
» Record Store Day was held at events at record stores around the world on Saturday. The event, which began in the USA in 2007 to encourage record stores and fans of vinyl in the US and UK to buy more records, was a huge success. Media ratings agency Neilson said it was “the most successful Record Day ever for vinyl”.
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.
Nothing but the blues
Life, John Clewley, Published on 14/08/2012
» In 1969, bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell released an album I Do Not Play No Rock'N'Roll on Capitol Records _ which disappointed traditional blues purists, but inspired young blues rockers like The Rolling Stones. I recently got hold of the 2001 digital reissue of this seminal album and now I know what the fuss was all about. This is one of those albums that every music collection should have.