Stories about Music from January, 2010
Russia: Vladimir Vysotsky
St Petersblurb and Leopolis pay tribute to Vladimir Vysotsky, who would have turned 72 on January 25.
Peru: The Loss of Local Rock Radio Stations
Peruvian radio stations catering to fans of rock music are being taken off the air, with business reasons often cited as the reason. However, many bloggers say there is still a market for the music.
Haiti: Un Geste Pour Haiti Cherie
The Armenian Observer comments on the recording of a song by French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour and other French singers. The blog notes that Aznavour also recorded a song in the aftermath of the devastating 1988 Armenian earthquake.
Peru: Metallica Rocked in Lima
Internationally-known rock bands do not play in Lima, Peru very often. When do they do, as the case of Metallica, interest and profits reach high levels. However, not all are pleased to see the band in the country.
Indonesia: Pop music hits
The Lost Boy samples the latest pop music hits from Indonesia.
Mexico: The Choir of Acteal Sings for Peace and Justice
Soon after the Massacre of Acteal in Chiapas, Mexico in 1997, the Choir of Acteal began to use their song to demand peace and to call for justice for those killed by paramilitary forces.
Haiti: Power of Music
Repeating Islands recognizes that music by Haitian artists is making a difference on to survivors of the ‘quake, inspiring resilience and strength.
Jamaica, Haiti: Help to Haiti
Jamaica's Yardflex.com reports that dancehall artist Beenie Man has pledged to help Haitian earthquake victims, while Montego Bay Day By Day urges compatriots to “give until it hurts and then give some more.”
Haiti: Bastion of Music Education Destroyed
Africlassical is sad to learn that the earthquake in Haiti destroyed the country's École Sainte Trinité, where Julio Racine taught music.
Bahamas: Investing in Culture
“The call for some thought to be given to an investment in Bahamian art and culture, is not about tourism at all. It is about finding, and reminding us of, ourselves”: Nicolette Bethel clarifies the purpose of The Day of Absence.
Cuba: Diaz Passes On
Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of “famed lute player and composer Miguel Ojeda Díaz, who made significant contributions to traditional music in Cuba.”
Taiwan: How the Puyuma people started Year 2010
The Puyuma tribe is one of the indigenous groups in Taitung County along Taiwan’s East Coast. The Nanwang Village, the leading village of this tribe, holds the Monkey Ceremony and Hunting Rite in December and starts the new year with the Annual Ritual.
Thailand: Radio brainwashing
A radio listener complains about the “radio programming and brainwashing” in Thailand.
Saudi Arabia: First “sighted” blogger
Saudi blogger, Maged, writes a blog post [Ar] about his friend Ali Al Omary, the first blind Saudi Blogger whom -Maged thinks- is not just a blogger but a real philosopher. Ali is also working on a new book about music in Arabic poetry.
Dominican Republic: The Passing of the Multi-Talented Luisito Martí
The multi-talented Dominican artist Luisito Martí passed away on January 3 leaving behind a huge international following who were fans of his comedy, music, and way of capturing the country's idiosyncrasies.
Argentina: Romantic Singing Legend Sandro Passes Away
Roberto Sánchez, popularly known as Sandro, died on January 4th in Mendoza, Argentina. He was one of the pioneers of Argentinean rock music and became famous all over Latin America as a romantic music artist.
Trinidad & Tobago: Bringing Beyoncé
“To pretend that Beyoncé hasn’t done more for world hope and happiness than all the politicians in Trinidad and Tobago combined, is to continue to live in the delusion that we as a nation are as World Class as Beyoncé Giselle Knowles”: This Beach Called Life is all for the...
Trinidad & Tobago: This is Madness
“The major concern is being able to afford the fetes, playing mas and surviving post Carnival”: Trinidad Carnival Diary says 2010 fete prices are getting more and more out of reach for the average party-goer.
Jamaica: Bountiful Behaviour
After Jamaican dancehall artist Bounty Killer goes on a tirade against homosexuals at an upscale charity concert, Stunner says: “Dancehall artistes need to wake up and learn how to conduct themselves appropriately based on the given environment.”
Bahamas: Day of Absence
Nicolette Bethel posts a series of musings about her Day of Absence – “a day to remember and recognize Bahamian artists and cultural workers, who go largely unsung, unnoticed and unremembered, and who are generally assumed not to exist in this nation”; Bahama Pundit offers a critique.
Argentina: Canciones Pegajosas Volume 2 Now Available
Volume 2 of the Creative-Commons licensed album called Canciones Pegajosas (Sticky Songs) is now available thanks in large part to the efforts Fernando Casale of the Argentine indie-music blog Zona Indie [es] .