Listening to the World
  By Norman Frizzell, Centre for Reading and the Arts, Stanley A. Milner Library

A unique way of travelling the world without leaving the confines of your CD player can be found in the music of other lands. The library’s wide and varied collection of both traditional and pop music from around the world offers an auditory passport to many different lands and cultures.

The many styles of music that have become known as ‘Worldbeat’ can be found under two main categories in the collection. The more traditional musical styles of a land or culture will be found under the ‘Pop National’ heading, with the music being further categorized by general geographical area like ‘America-South’ (AmS) or ‘Europe-Central’ (EuC). The more pop-oriented music from around the world is catalogued according to the language the music is sung in, for example: ‘Pop Other Language-French’ (OL/Fre).

One shouldn’t automatically assume that the music found in the pop national area will be dry academic field recordings. Yes, the field recordings are there but so are most of the reggae CDs, for example (Pop/National-Caribbean-POP/NAT/ Car). Many terrific Cuban recordings by members of the Buena Vista Social Club, among others, are found in this area as well.

Fans of the many styles of African music should check out the POP/ National-Africa (POP/NAT/Afr) area, which is further divided into geographical areas. From the West African afrobeat styles of Fela Kuti to the Central African soukous rumba of Franco, to the South African township jive of the Soul Brothers or the benga beat of East Africa’s Victoria Kings , the many styles of African music are not only great to listen to but also have some very strong dance grooves.

The POP/Other Language/Africa (POP/OL/Afr) also contains many fine recordings, usually with a more modern approach like King Sunny Ade’s juju music or Mory Kante’s electrified kora recordings. Popular worldbeat fusion artists like Benin’s Angelique Kidjo are also found in this area.

The ‘Riverdance’ phenomenon of recent years has rekindled an interest in Celtic music. Many of the currently popular artists plus many of the artists who inspired them can be found in POP/NATIONAL/British Isles (POP/NAT/BrI). Longtime favorites like the Chieftains and Clannad are in this area as well newcomers like Sharon Shannon and Eliza Carthy. The less traditional recordings are generally found in the ‘folk’ area of the collection as they are chiefly sung in English and there is no POP/OTHER LANGUAGE/ ENGLISH area.

Groups like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and the Pogues are found in ‘folk.’

Canada’s own rich Celtic heritage can be found, along with many other cultural recordings in POP/ NATIONAL/America North/ CANADA (POP/NAT/AmN/CAN). Popular maritime artists like Natalie MacMaster and Ashley MacIsaac are found here. Aboriginal artists and pow-wow recordings are catalogued here as well as traditional Quebecois artists like the group Bottine Souriante. Francophone pop artists like Robert Charlebois and Celine Listening to the World Dion (when she’s singing in French) are found in POP/Other Language/ French (POP/OL/Fre).

The many styles of Brazilian music can be found in two main areas. Once again, the more traditional forms will be found in POP/NATIONAL/ America South (POP/NAT/AmS) and the more pop-oriented styles will be found under POP/Other Language/ Portuguese (POP/OL/Por).

With the encouragement of the late George Harrison, among others, during the ’60s the traditional classical music of India, especially the music of Ravi Shankar became some of the first ‘worldbeat’ crossover music. With many different styles, traditions and instruments the world of East Indian classical music offers a lifetime of exploration, just look in POP/NATIONAL/Asia South (POP/NAT/AsS). India also has a rich tradition of pop songs, mainly derived from its highly productive film industry nicknamed “Bollywood.” Many of these recordings are found in the POP/ Other Language/Indic (POP/OL/Ind) area.

These are just a few suggestions for further exploration. You may find your interests lean towards Tuvan throat singing (POP/NAT/EuE), or Balinese gamelan music (POP/NAT/ InE). Perhaps the soothing sounds of Japanese koto music (POP/NAT/ EaF), or the rousing accordion driven rhythms of zydeco music from the southern states (POP/NAT/AmN/ USA) are more to your liking. Wherever your ears would like to go, the library is bound to have the music to take them there.