Rembetiko, Music of My Heart

Pictured Above: Semsis, Eskenazi and Tomboulis

One of my favorite musical genres is Rembetiko, the soulful, inventive music of the Greeks of Anatolia (Asia Minor). This style is rich with Ottoman, Persian and Arabic influences, both musical and cultural and many of its great performers were Ottoman Jews and Armenians. A study of the Ottoman Empire highlights the wonderful and destructive power of multiculturalism and diversity. On one hand the incredibly rich mix of cultures, races, religions and languages produced some of the most amazing music, architecture, poetry and cuisine that has graced the world. On the other hand, it bred conflict, instability and the first Genocide of the century, ultimately leading Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria to undertake a massive population exchange, with the goal of creating more homogeneous, stable and peaceful nations. If I had to derive a one line line lesson from the Ottoman Experience for the United States, it would be as follows: enjoy the cultural blessings that diversity bring, but tread carefully, for human beings are flawed creatures of conflict. Here is a wonderful song performed in 1929 by Andonis Dalgas and one performed by the prodigious Roza Eskenazi.

Anything But Country Music?

Pictured Above: The Great Hank Williams Sr

From my childhood through my college years I would ask friends and new acquaintances what music they enjoyed. The majority would answer "anything but country!" The underlying (and bigoted) assumption was that country music was for "hicks" and "rednecks." Until recently I shared these sentiments, but increasingly I have grown to love classical country, blue grass and folk music, which is musically and emotionally rich and lyrically down to earth. For my skeptical friends, I recommend that you check out Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Patsy Montana, Hank Williams Sr, Bill Monroe, Lefty Frizzell, Clarence Ashley and Conway Twitty, just to name a few. And to my international readers, you will see that American Musical Culture has far more to offer than vulgar, corporate produced rock and rap, we have a rich and diverse tradition of folk music. Enjoy!

National Treasure: Sun Ra

Sun Ra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_ra) is truly a national treasure. He is one of the most original, imaginative, eclectic, inventive and underrated Jazz composers. His performances were infused with lyrical poetry, cosmic philosophy and vanguard performances that were labeled by some as "Afro-Futurism." To explore a collection of his works, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=FAD9C4BED984A045&pi=0

American Treasure: The Blues

One of America's greatest cultural treasures is The Blues.

It's a testament to the human spirit how America's most oppressed, abused and downtrodden population, rural African-Americans of the south, created some of the greatest works of art that this country has ever known. Furthermore, the Blues is the progenitor of and inspiration for Jazz, Rock and Rap music.

Here is my collection of blues artists. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9673C527B6F35BD2

Hebrew Hillbilly!

Pictured Above: Jewish Country Singer & Texan Politician, Kinky Friedman

When I ask my friends what kind of music they like, they usually respond "anything but country," as if it was a self evident truth that nothing of artistic and cultural merit could be produced within that genre. But, in the past few months I have come across some really wonderful old country, folk and blue grass music. I am sure that between my conservative philosophy and my taste in music some of my friends will refer to me as the "Hebrew Hillbilly." To check out my collection of country and folk music, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=91FC350D698A2C1A

Jerry Garcia - National Treasure

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

Not only was Jerry Garcia a great musician, but he helped introduce countless Americans to their rich tradition of blue grass, folk and country music. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfJZQNF5CDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDgCDaldk3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq0p9ipAnps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtJiEvh1jBQ

Balfa Brothers

The Balfa brothers were amazing Cajun musicians. This wonderful style of music has French, Scottish, African and West Indian influences. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDp0FXCJwYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFyOGqmITjM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fs12_-ihPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDJxPg0P518

Ali Farka Toure

Beautiful music from Mali.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5KZVte6iY

Lovely Turkish Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHI6qFGxx68

Gospel Music: Another Great American Art Form

Pictured Above: The Talented And Beautiful Mahalia Jackson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr_GBa8qk

Beauty and the Beast

I have often spoke about the contempt I have for Iran's' beastly government, which represents the darkest impulses in Iranian culture. But, I have not spoken enough about the beautiful elements of Iranian culture and Iranian people. Here is a small sample of Persian classical music. In addition to music, Persian poetry, architecture and cuisine has soared to great heights.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyoOLbuuGY4



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEibLgHm7I



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7NXNcMJbTI



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZjqtuYUvTE

Blind Willie Johnson - an American Treasure

Blind Willie Johnson, one of America's musical treasures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R8RuOagzck

Something Beautiful!

Many of my posts dwell on negative social and economic phenomena. Tonight I would like to share some beautiful music with my readers, particularly music that reflects a fusion of cultures and traditions:

Argentine-Jewish Tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLVrSkBrYZg

Polish-Jewish Tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-hg58QQmdc

Maria Callas sings Puccini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOuri0VY74s

Sarah Chang plays Bach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOVwokQnV4M

Jascha Heifetz plays Paganini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPcnGrie__M

Rubinstein plays Chopin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRO05WcNDk

Chopin nocturn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEl9zn8JPW8