Musavadadira Varume ( Pah Chihera )

Well, Zimbabwean music has probably seen better days, to be honest, talking about the breezy vibes of Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Mukadota and others, some still alive, others still kicking, but all is not lost, as evidenced by the efforts of this young lady, who somehow has managed to buck the reigning 'urban' trend for a return to Zimbabwe's roots in the countryside, hearts and minds not lost in all the crime sex and violence of cities.  Let's blame it on the rapacious government of Mugabe--yeah.  On the other hand, I found some lovely Botswana music that also crosses borders, and genres...

TamdingArts "Track 3 - My lama Tenzin Gyatso ( Open Road ) TIbetan song ...

Despite all efforts by the central Chinese government and Han Chinese culture to overwhelm the Tibetan culture and populace, somehow they manage to survive, and infect the rest of the country with their quest for freedom and independence.  It's a double-edge sword, after all, and a two-lane highway...

Seeta Qasemi Sarbaze Watan ''Sarbaaz Watan'' - New Afghan Music Video(Of...

If my goal right here right now is to get a glimpse into culture(s) through the lens of its popular music, then Afghanistan is a supreme challenge right off the bat.  After viewing dozens of videos and listening to the same number of songs, almost nothing was revealed--until now.

Most seem to be made in studios and on sound-stages in hermetically sealed enclaves in well-guarded neighborhoods, no 'students', i.e. Taliban allowed.  The music is mostly generic schlock-pop from well-tried formulas featuring well-coiffed celebrities, most of whom probably haven't tasted the dust of Kabul in years.

The few external scenes are of Dubai or London or Samarkand, fer Chrissakes!  You'd never even know that there's a real country of real people fighting a real war for real reasons--until now.  Kudos to Seeta Qasemi now only for her good voice and her good music, but for her good taste in narrating a story of her country.  Long live Afghanistan, one of the most interesting countries of the world!   

khmer romvong 2015 | Karaoke khmer 2015 | khmer new year 2015 | dvd kara...

It's always New Year's Day somewhere.  My theory is that you can tell more about a country and its place in the world from its music than any other cultural aspect.  I'll test that theory in the coming days--should be interesting! In the case of Kampuchea, I'd say that they're reviving from their darkest darkest days of the Khmer Rouge in fine style, especially with music, which is beginning to rival the good old days of the 70's...