A PLACE FOR SIDEWAYS TRAINS OF THOUGHT
In the 1990’s, when the grandfather of the current Kim was North Korea’s Great Leader, I spent a week in Pyongyang working as an interpreter for the Italian delegation at a huge conference which was attended by most of the world’s nations. I have decided to note down what I remember now, before the place... Continue Reading →
(This article was first posted in February 2008. I think it is time for people to be reminded of North Korean music. Nordkorea.info.de doesn't seem to provide songs any longer, which is a great pity, but there is a good selection here. In particular, I would recommend Heroic Workers' Factory, which has an English translation.... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about Vietnam and even less about Vietnamese music, but I have been wanting to share my appreciation of Huong Thanh ever since I heard her cd Mangustao. In it she blends Vietnamese music with jazz in a way which joins hands surprisingly. There is a lilt in her singing which reminds me of... Continue Reading →
Certainly not in this case. I have never heard the Pipa played quite like this clip of Wu Man ( 吴蛮) playing. The Guardian has an article on her here. And you can hear her play the pipa in music that isn't at all Chinese in this programme from New Sounds, which is always a good... Continue Reading →