'World' Music - What's that all about?

[Fi]

I think that the "Third" is silent, but it is essentially music from what would normally defined as the Third World, although not exclusively.  There seems to be some sort of informal demarcation between western and fringe eastern Europe for example.

Hmmm...I don't think that's quite so much the case now...though I can see your point from when the term first came into use, it seemed to be identified with African and Indian music.

There's a case for not calling it 'world music' at all, and returning to 'traditional' or 'roots' or something like that. However, music being what it is, it will squirm about and wriggle out of it's box, run off,  get hitched to something from 1,000 miles away and breed a new thing...!!! 

[Jim]

its blokes in kaftans playing strats and odd shaped drums
usually about 2 dozen on stage at a time

does this help?

Is that Quintessence or the Incredible String Band that you are describing, Jim?

Sandra

never saw the ISB but the bass player in quintessence probably still has the paper aeroplane stuck in his hair that my mate steve threw at him
he never noticed all through the gig so it  might still be there,well its only 35 years on

[Paul]

Surely "World Music" is a term designed to differentiate music from the World, as opposed to music from, er, Mars.

Altogether "ullahh"

Paul

[richardstaines]

So what is the opposite of world music?

Other world music?
Alien music?

I wonder what alien music sounds like?
Maybe the theme tune to Star Trek was alien music. An superior alien being wrote it during one of the episodes.

Just a though.
In Peru, the local music is called "folklorica" sounds like thge word 'folk' eh, we call it world music.

[clive]

I would say Late Junction on Radio 3 is a good place to hear all sorts of music that doesn't usually get airplay, not to mention home grown talent such as RT and Nick Drake.
I think Andy Kershaw does a World Music program on 3 as well.

[Edthefolkie]

Ask Roger Watson - he is a mine of info!

http://www.tradarts.org/home.htm

(sorry - yet another unsolicited plug)

PS Yes, Late Junction is an excellent place to find world music (anyway I like Verity & Fiona), as is Mr. Kershaw. 

[abby (tank girl)]

its blokes in kaftans playing strats and odd shaped drums
usually about 2 dozen on stage at a time

does this help?

Is that Quintessence or the Incredible String Band that you are describing, Jim?

Sandra

never saw the ISB but the bass player in quintessence probably still has the paper aeroplane stuck in his hair that my mate steve threw at him
he never noticed all through the gig so it  might still be there,well its only 35 years on

will keep an eye out for the aeroplane jim, as we will be seeing them at sunrise............

[Pugwash]

Surely "World Music" is a term designed to differentiate music from the World, as opposed to music from, er, Mars.

Would music from Mars be Mars Music then? (No silly jokes about Mars Bars please) I suppose they had to have World Music cos Earth Music would sound a bit wormy.