Global Radio: Recent Episodes
Ken Shorley
Episodes featuring selected Musics of the World, hosted by musician and Acadia University instructor, Ken Shorley.
An introduction to the three regional styles of GAMELAN, a gong-based ensemble from Indonesia. We will hear sacred and court gamelan from Central Java, the fiery style of Gong Kebyar from Bali, and the sweet sounds of the Sundanese gamelan degung.
This episode is an introduction to some of the Indigenous musics from the First Nations and Inuit cultures from the area which is now referred to as Canada. You will hear examples of Pow-wow singing and drumming, the Mik'maq honour song, throat singing from Nunavut, and some contemporary sounds from A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Taqaq, Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and Buffy Sainte-Marie.
An introduction to Celtic music, beginning with some examples of traditional musics of Ireland and Scotland, and tracing the connections and evolutions of Celtic music in Canada, especially in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
This episode is a continuation of the amazing variety of musics from the Arab and Turkish regions of the Middle East, including an introduction to some sacred music from the Sufi tradition, as well as a grooving, emotional selection of regional and popular musics.
An overview of classical/art musics from two regions of the Middle East - the Arab world and Turkey. These two historically connected musical traditions flourished in the time of the Ottoman Empire. The episode begins with a discussion of the term "Middle East", and features a number of examples of Arab and Turkish classical musics, including the instrumental form "Semai", the poetic song form "Muwashah", and the modal improvisation known as "Taksim / Taqasim".
An overview of some beautiful and amazing musics from Brasil. You will hear examples of music from the capoeira martial art tradition (featuring the "musical bow" known as berimbau), some early examples of "samba carioca", and some influential musical movements from the 1960s, including the "cool" sounds of bossa nova, and the rock-influenced grooves of tropicalia. Rounding out the episode is some fusion and experimental music featuring the great Brasilian percussionist, Nana Vasconcelos.
An introduction to some of the musics of Cuba. Beginning with a description of the "clavé" rhythm, this episode features examples of Guaguanco, Bata music from a Santeria ceremony, examples of Rumba Cubana, Son Cubana, and classic Cuban big band "Salsa".
A brief overview of some of the myriad styles of incredible music from the African continent. This episode highlights only a few areas – Mali, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria.
A brief introduction to "filmi", the extremely popular music of Indian cinema (sometimes referred to as 'Bollywood'), as well as a sprinkling of examples of Romani and other regional musics from the Indian subcontinent. Feel free to dance along at home.
The first in a series of "podcast-lectures" for the Musics of the World course at Acadia University. Hosted by instructor Ken Shorley.
An overview into the two forms of "classical" or "art" music from India – HIndustani music of North India, and Carnatic music of South India.