Review: World music - a white middle class fraud

Subject: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:05 AM

Is it not time we called time on World Music? This middle class fraud has rambled on like an old jalopy for the best part of 25 years and yet has failed to fire the imagination of anyone except white middle class journalists and DJs who tirelessly peddle this "music" to an uninterested public. What is world music? It is anything you want it to be. That being the case, there is no such thing as world music, and the quicker we learn this, the quicker we can dismiss this sham. Why should someone into folk music from the British Isles like music from Zimbabwe? Why should someone who likes music from Bali like reggae music? The old argument that we hear time and time again is that in a multi ethnic society, we must open our ears to all types of music and that if you do not, then you are narrow minded – and by implication, racist. The guilt buttons are pushed and the liberal knee jerk reactions come into play. It is a ludicrous argument. Music is music and that is that, you either like it or not. If you do not like music from Zimbabwe, and I do not, does that mean I do not like the people? What if you are Irish and you don't like the Dubliners – does that mean you are a self-loathing Irishman?   


World music is a mish-mash, a false genre, that has no real constituency. It does not exist as a separate musical form or as a loose umbrella. It is an illusion. What constitutes world music shifts from one person to another. It is interesting to note that interest in world music does not extend beyond the shores of "white " countries. If you go to Africa, Bali, or wherever, these people could not give a toss about world music, even if they turn up for the world music festivals – only if they are paid, of course. And good for them. They should not tolerate white men patronising them for a single moment.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:14 AM

What's your point? The term "world music" - AFAIK - is a handy term to indicate basically "not Euro-American". I don't think I've ever heard anyone argue that it's a genre, what idiot would do so? If you don't like Zimbabwean music, more power to ya, and who frickin cares? I return to my opening query: what's yer point?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:17 AM

Keriste on a crutch. If ya don't like it, don't listen to it. I don't like opera. I don't like rap. I don't like acid rock. I don't like "Danny Boy" done by anyone. I do agree with Popeye--"I likes what I likes." To paraphrase Buck, "What's yer point?"

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:18 AM

The point is valid but no music making is a fraud.

Most labels applied to it - in order to sell it are a fraud.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:29 AM

My point is quite clear and I have no wish to reiterate it again. However, thank you for your input.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:35 AM

Thank you for the clarification.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:44 AM

I was mistaken, apparently. I thought it was intended to be a dialogue.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:56 AM

It's a marketing term to give retailers a box to put it in:

History of World Music.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:57 AM

If I remember correctly, "word music" was a label invented by the people who distribute and sell records. They needed a label to put on a bin. They wanted to dump all the musical odds and ends from around the world into a single bin rather than categorize them more properly in separate bins.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:00 PM

Although the term 'world music' is a made-up phrase primarily designed by record companies to enable assistants in record shop to have somewhere to put certain CDs, that dose not mean that the music has not value. I listen to lots of music in this so-called categaory and enjoy it immensely. It doesn't bother me one little bit that it's a meaningless category, at least I can find it in the record shop.

I'm more bothered about your comments about 'white middle-class journalists and DJs'. I presume by this you are referring to people like Andy Kershaw, Lucy Duran and Charlie Gillett (in the UK) whose selection of interesting sounds from around the world has added greatly to my listening pleasure.

Perhaps people on this forum would be more interested if you told us what music you do like, rather than to post here with your narrow-minded view of the many kinds of music you don't like.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:03 PM

I've heard a lot of music that purported to be "world" music that sounded a whole lot like what I have come to know as "new age" music. I came to the conclusion that "world music" is a poorly-defined genre that serves musicians poorly, as well as potential listeners.

That said, there is a lot of good music from all over the world, and I appreciate anyone's attempts to bring it to my attention. I guess, to some extent, I rely on Mudcat to do that.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:04 PM

At least it's not as bad as the dreaded "fusion" word.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:39 PM

From what WYSIWYG said there I suspect the term may not hav ethe same meaning in the states.

It's a convenient labelling system that makes it easier to find music from other traditions and cultures. Of course when you think of it it's a pretty daft term - there isn't any music which isn't "world music" since that's where it comes from.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:53 PM

Yes, McGrath K, 'world music' might well be a daft term but if you read through the history indicated at the link above, no-one has yet come up with a better one to categorise musics from cultures other than White European/American that are rooted in a tradition. The term does NOT include 'new age' or 'fusion', the first of which is absolutely not tradition-based and the second is by definition a combination of two or more traditions.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Alba
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:54 PM

"there isn't any music which isn't "world music" since that's where it comes from" I was thinking pretty much the same Myself McGrath.

Interplanetary Music. That would include World Music (Earth Music) and would perhaps bear the label 'Universal Music' or 'Galaxy Music' even ..*smile*
J

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 01:26 PM

"white middle class journalists and DJs who tirelessly peddle this "music" to an uninterested public"

Penguin Egg - If what you say is true then this music will disappear on it's own. But if the CD's are still being stocked in your local record store - and if they are still selling - then you're wrong. The marketplace is driven by one thing only - and that's money. I suggest that the best thing you can do to make "world music" go away is to not spend any of your hard earned money on it.

And if someone has been forcing you to listen to it without your consent - call the police.

Is it alright for those people who DO like world music to continue to listen to it ?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Azizi
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 01:32 PM

Euro-centric institutions have defined what is folk music and what is classical music as music from that is composed by European people. All else is "other".

Dividing the world of music in this way has political, pyschological, and economic implications that I'm not happy with.

We {people of color} are the world. But European people are the world also.

And so-on one level-the term "World music" is indeed a misnomer and an artificial construct. And also on one level it is a 'racist' term.

However, you work with the world you're in and not the world you wish you were in.

I accept the fact that 'World music' is a hodge-podge 'category' for different genres of music from non-European cultures. I welcome the musical fusion of different cultures such as the Afro-Celtic music and the East-Indian/dancehall Reggae music. I recognize that there are few [if any] musical genres that are pure. And that doesn't bother me in the least.

I believe that the purpose of this catch-all "World Music" category is to introduce folks throughout the world to a multitude of different music that we otherwise might not have been aware of.

Once introduced to this music, some folks will find music that they like, and some won't. It bes that way sometimes.

But some people might discover that they do like certain music within that hodge podge category. And they may like that music so much that eventually they move to the next level of understanding in which they find out the name of that type of music, and then seek out other examples of that music. Hopefully, they will then support the artists who compose and perform that music by purchasing their CDs. And because they found out that they liked that music, maybe they will take a chance and purchase another type of music from that same continent of from another continent. And maybe they will even take the time to learn a little about the cultures from which those musical forms originated.

And then, maybe just maybe, if the person is a musician he or she will start to take risks and experiment with 'fusing' the music traditions of his culture with that of this 'foreign' culture that he or she is just learning about.

And eventually-who knows?- we will realize that all music really is World music since "We-all of us-are the World".

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 01:37 PM

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 01:41 PM

Sorry for the above. I missed.

Thanks very much to Countess Richard's link to the fRoots article explaining exactly how the expression 'World Music' came about. It's by white middle-class jounalist Ian Anderson who explains what I want to say much better than I could.
It's not all positive, but World Music (or Musique du Monde in neighbourly Paris) is way ahead on points. It sells large quantities of records that you couldn't find for love or money two decades ago. It has let many musicians in quite poor countries get new respect (and houses, cars and food for their families), and it turns out massive audiences for festivals and concerts. It has greatly helped international understanding and provoked cultural exchanges -- people who've found themselves neighbours in the same box have listened to each other and ended up making amazing music together. Oh, and it has allowed a motley bunch of enthusiasts to not yet need to get proper jobs. I call it a Good Thing, and just feel a bit sorry for people with the thinking time on their hands to decide they hate World Music... Lighten up, guys, it's only a box in a record shop.
For less narrow-minded people who may enjoy some different kind of music here's a link the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music (which unusually for a Radio show was on the television). click 'ere There's also a budget-priced CD of the award winners, also recommended. My own favourite from that concert (although I wouldn't presume to tell anyone else out there who to like) was Arto Tuncboyaciyan from the Armenian Navy Band - with extra points for inventive use of a beer bottle!

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 02:01 PM

Actually, as far as I have ever heard, "World Music" is NOT a genre, and I have never seen it presented as a genre in the musical sense.

And to answer a rather silly question, Sir Egg, you are not required to like anything you do not like. Even if you DO like something else. The proposition is absurd on the face of it.

The only use I have heard the phrase used for is to describe a collection of ethnic music types from various roots, not necessarily related to each other. It is only meaningful in the context of the Western music marketplace, where the dominant categories are all English-speaking.

A

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 02:47 PM

Thanks very much to Countess Richard's link to the fRoots article explaining exactly how the expression 'World Music' came about. It's by white middle-class jounalist Ian Anderson who explains what I want to say much better than I could.

A white middle-class fraud (like Mr Anderson) should certainly be well able to recognise a white middle-class fraud when he sees one.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 02:52 PM

A white middle-class fraud (like Mr Anderson) should certainly be well able to recognise a white middle-class fraud when he sees one

I should think he will, Roger, if he comes across you. He certainly knows who I am when he sees me in the street.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:20 PM

I must have missed something living in the USA. Who is this particular Ian Anderson and why would someone consider him a fraud ?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:32 PM

Ian Anderson is the editor of fRoots magazine (among other things). He is not, in my experience, a fraud; more of a musical mentor.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: pdq
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:35 PM

He was the leader of Jethro Tull, one of the most interesting rock groups ever.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:45 PM

No he wasn't. He is not known for the dubious ability to play a flute standing on one leg in a totally pants band.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:49 PM

That Ian Anderson is a telented musician - this one is the man who decided to remove the word 'Folk' from the title of his magazine.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:54 PM

Yes . . . and?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: number 6
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:55 PM

I'm from New Brunswick (Canada)and categorically belong to the middle class and I listen to Middle Eastern and Indian music. That and along with any other music I like.

So there.

sIx

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:01 PM

I am more or less middle class, whitish, and like music from Zimbabwe (I think..don't know it as such) and also polkas from Poland. I can't think of how it harms anyone so otherwise who of adult persuasion would mind? I hate music with jangly rhythms though...and music that sounds to my Polish-loving ears whiney...and angry....I like lots of pretty stuff like they do in Zimbabwe and Caribbean and likewise Hawaii. mg

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:11 PM

As a lad from solid working-class stock - the thought of this Mr Anderson recognising me in the street as middle-class - is far more insulting that him describing me as a fraud or anything else.

When he was a contributor on uk.music.folk - he has called me far less flattering words than a fraud.....

The Jethro Tull Mr Anderson has enough talent and creativity (even on one leg) that should he recognise me in the street - he is quite welcome to call me any name he wishes.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:50 PM

Do you have a working class beard?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,World Of Folk
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:54 PM



Tosser, was it?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fr
From: greg stephens
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 06:17 PM

A remarkably effective designation, Ithink. "World music" tells me pretty much what to expect, and any box of CDs labelled that is pretty much guaranteed to give me some delightful surprises. And(this is purely taste) I know I am likely to like all the records in the box. Unlike the term "folk", which nowadays can mean so many things that I really havent a clue what might be in the box.
The starter of this thread, like a lot of people, seems to think that classification into genres always implies a moral or aesthetic judgement, which always causes needless controversy. Mudcat is so full of threads with discussions along the lines of
A: Richard Thompson isn't folk.
B: How can you say that, you nazi, Richard Thompson is wonderful. (The second remark is presented as some kind of disagreement with the first, when it is obviously nothing of the kind. It is merely a knee-jerk reaction by someone who isnt following the discussion).
   The threadstarter seems to imply there is something bad about the term "world music", and almost seems to be saying it is a good thing not to like Zimbabwean music. It's neither good nor bad, it's just a fact,whether you like Zimbabwean music or not (though it doess seem to be a rather sweeping statement to dismiss an entire nation's music, just because Ian Anderson calls it "world music").
      Anyway, I think it's a great term, keep using it. What will always cause the controversy, though, is which (if any) English records go into the box. Tickell, Boden and Boat Band in the recent fRoots playlist, I noticed. Seems fair enough to me.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 06:36 PM

Who are you, "The Shambles"?

Ian Anderson picked fights with a quite few people on uk.music.folk. We had a brief epidemic of posters whose theme song might have been "nobody loves me, everybody hates me, think I'll go and eat worms". Ian's bete noire Janet Ryan was another one. I don't think many of us actually did hate either of them.

There are at least two other Iain/Ian Andersons in the folk world: one is a presenter on Radio Scotland and the other is a youngish Scottish musician. I think all of the others are better than the crap flute player.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 07:00 PM

Notwithstanding all the interesting and amusing stories about marketing records contained in the article above, I would suggest that that is not the origin of the contemporary idea of a that there is some sort of"World Music"-

That would have come, in my reckoning, at least from a book called "Music of the Whole Earth" written by one David Reck, published in 1977. Reck, had listened to, played, and analyzed music from everywhere for a long time--rather than simply creating a multicultural musical encyclopedia, he sought to find and connect the underlying common elements in to a single, unified entity--

There was a lot of feeling, coming out of the sixties, that music was the universal language, and that it was somehow or other, the key to creating bridges between cultures, and world peace and such. Hence, "World Music" was a high and noble thing.

As far as the book, it is difficult to follow, owing to the fact that, rather than explaining how different kinds of music work, he uses examples drawn from those different kinds of music to explain his own concepts. If you don't know the music to start with, it is hard to use it to explain something else.

And on the idea of the universality of music, it's a nice thought, but people can be just as intolerant of musical differences as they are of every other sort of difference--

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: 282RA
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 07:21 PM

All musical labels are frauds, guy.

"Folk music" is as fraudulent as "world music." Why? Cuz ALL music is made by "folks." What music isn't made by some folk somewhere? All music then is folk music. The heaviest, loudest, meanest ripping thrashing metal is as validly a folk music as Pete Seeger singing "Little Boxes."

Same with "alternative music." Alternative to what?? Alternative to Whitney Houston? Well, the Monkees are as alternative to Houston as the Goo-goo Dolls. Jazz is as much an alternative to rap as country is. All music is an alternative to any other music.

Same with "country music." Is there any music not made in a country? If they mean country as in rural, shouldn't it be called rural music? But then rural Japanese music sounds nothing like rural American so shouldn't our country music be called rural American music? But then couldn't early blues be termed the same? And the Canadians listen to the same country stuff we do and play it the same way and are just as good at at it might be offended to be left out so maybe it should be called rural American/Canadian music.

All labels are useless and describe nothing. Why world music is singled out by you for this rebuke is puzzling unless we conclude that you are simply close-minded about world music. Btw, I have bought quite a lot of this world music and I'm not a white or a DJ. I also play quite a lot of it precisely because I hate doing nothing but a straight Euro-centered set. I love bossa nova, Indian and Arabic music, Indonesian gamelan, traditional Chinese and Japanese, Eskimo chants, Tibetan Buddhist chanting, and most African forms.

As for whether your dislike for these musical forms (which borders dangerously on disrespect) is racist or not, well, I guess only you know that for certain--I don't know or care. But you ARE biased against it.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 07:56 PM

"All labels are useless and describe nothing."

Is this, in your view, because in language, there is no real connection between words and the things they are supposed to describe? If this is true, then all word meanings would constitute "fraud", not just musical genres.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: 282RA
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 08:03 PM

Of course all language is a fraud. what else could it be?

Words can never tell you what something IS. It might say what it DOES but never what it IS. What it DOES we can grasp since we decide that anyway. What it IS is unknowable, inexpressible. But we confuse DOES for IS and hence the fraud.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fra
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 08:03 PM

Labels are handy, but they get extended and distorted over time. It's happened with "Folk music" and its happening with "World Music", as also with "Roots Music", or "Jazz" or "Country". Or "Classical" for that matter.

Sometimes people playing or enjoying a particular kind of music want the label because they see it as helpful in getting people to listen to it; sometimes it's the other way round. That's why new labels get invented that overlap with the old, but don't coincide with them.

It can't be helped. The thing to remember is that labels are a kind of map, and "the map is not the territory".

"Traditional Music" is a pretty good label, because it's more resistant than most to this process, and implicitly recignises that there are a lot of different traditions in different parts of the world. (Where it falls down is maybe when it's taken to suggest that there is a single tradition in particular countries or regions, and that's rarely true, especially over time, and when its used as a way of trying to invalidate music from different traditions, or changes in tradition.)

I'm pleased to see that this pretty interesting thread has grown out of that rather addled opening post with its "white middle class fraud" posturing. I like it when Mudcatters can do that, because all too often we don't.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:58 PM

Something that puzzles me to no end is the fact that people seem to have extreme problems defining and categorizing music, when music, by its very nature, consists only of elements that are precisely and carefully defined so that they can be exactly reproduced.

Notes, melody, chords, rhythm, measures, all can be marked out exactly, and often are. Every element can be documented, precisely recreated, and even taught so that others can precisely recreate it--so why all the vagueness and ambiguity?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 12:17 AM

M. Ted, your point is illogical. Every part of an elephant can be measured, documented, analyzed, and taught to others. But nowhere in its anatomy will you find evidence that the animal is called "elephant".

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 12:51 AM

If you don't like the term, propose another. But like McGrath and Amos, I find it a useful grouping for music outside of the Euro-North American mainstream.
The BBC Music Magazine prints many fine reviews of musicians and their recordings under that heading each month.
For July, reviewed and discussed is much music that I would like to hear, none of it belonging to the usual Euro-North American cluster. Included are:
The Gotan Project and the cd Lunatico, in which tango's roots are explored by some of the best Argentinian and Parisian tango musicians.
Ojos de Brujo, devoted to the 'now' sound of Spain, a mix of music some call fusionista.
Descarga Oriental, music by an Algerian pianist and a Cuban percussionist.
Nour Ensemble, a Franco-Iranian group exploring a mixture of Gregorian plainsong, Spanish cantigas and Persian and Kurdish music.
Gwenllian, by Welsh triple harpist Lilo Rhydderch (a tradition kept alive by Welsh gypsies.
Sounds from a Bygone Age, music by Romica Puceanu and the Gore Brothers, Gypsy ghetto songs.

Last month, especial attention was given to music by some central Asian groups, as I remember. The term 'World music' is non-rigid, and covers much that does not fit the usual categories.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 12:55 AM

All this raises another question- how do you separate upper, middle and lower class music nowadays?

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 03:15 AM

In the 50s and 60s many artists from the UK were inspired by the fine styles of music they heard coming from the USA. And although few had any direct experience of the folk or circumstances that produced this music - because of the genuine respect for it and a real need to make it - the best of them were (over time) able to add some elements of their own which in turn fed back and enriched the whole of music making.

One can only hope that the same thing will happen with music emanating from other parts of the world. I suggest that it will happen best without attempts to market these forms of music which may be seen as self-concious and patronising attempts to champion it - or as it was proposed (for the sake of discussion) in the first post as white middle-class fraud.

I think the danger of this approach and reaction to it - can be seen as magazines and now many festivals, confine themselves to artists who fit in to some idea of what this 'World' or 'Roots' music is - and exclude from it much fine music making that may not fit this idea.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 04:28 AM

Agreed Shambles. If the current marketing situation existed 40years ago The Rolling Stones would probably be sold as 'World music'

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 04:57 AM

No self-respecting 'World' Music festival or magazine would promote a UK 'pop' group but would and do promote groups who may be the most popular 'pop' group in their country. This is a form of reverse snobbery that benefits no music making.

I would like to see the bigger festivals like Glastonbury - who have different stages for different styles - mix them up a bit.

With special festivals or special stages you tend to see act after act who are all from different parts of the world and who may be very talented but who, when they are singing words that you cannot understand, tend to limit the excitement and lessen the effect of the new.

I suggest the best way to promote good acts like these would be to put them on the main festival stage sandwiched between the two (currently) biggest conventional acts.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 06:06 AM

If people want to listen to "world" music, of course I would not stop them. However, my gripe against this title is: 1) folk music, which I love, has been swallowed up by this category- look at fRoots; 2) By putting this music onto a shelf and labelling it "World Music", you are creating a genre; and 3) there is something a little self-righteous about these listeners who give themselves a moral superiority which they do not in any way deserve.

I am not narrow minded. Someone asked me exactly what sort of music I like: well, I like a lot, mostly music from the west, but that is a broad sweep that includes Afro American-music. I like folk music and we all know what I mean by it. In Pakistan, it may mean something else, which is fine, but it is different. If someone wants to listen to music from Zimbabwe-also fine; but do not plonk it into the artificial melting pot of World Music where it does not belong.

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 06:39 AM

look at fRoots

I'm doing that right now as the new July edition has just come through my letter box. The cover feature is about The Devil's Interval (subtitled The Rise & Rise Of The Younger Tradition) in which Jim Causley, Lauren McCormick and Emily Portman (undergraduates on the Newcastle tradmus degree), discuss at length with Brian Peters their wide-open attitudes and experimental, ingenious, part-switching approach to vocal harmony which manages to sound entirely unforced and spontaneous, while being in fact highly sophisticated. Yes, they've been back to their roots and have the deepest respect for source singers but don't copy them blindly but seek to take the music forward. Significantly, they enthuse graphically about the new type of venue, performance spaces run by young people who are products of an eclectic social and musical background to whom it is entirely natural to have so-called 'traditional' English instruments (like melodeons growing on apple trees maybe?) playing eastern music followed by Japanese techno, Congo-Brazilian collaboration and finishing up with a DJ. Places which so-called 'f*lkies' around here would view with disdain if they knew about them and would never dream of attending. They should. It's the future.

A final quote from Jim talking about a 3 a.m. set at Glastonbury:

It fascinates me how you can put this music in front of people who haven't heard it, and it sounds so exotic to them, even though it's from their own backyard. I feel like saying 'this is our world music here!'

Subject: RE: Review: World music - a white middle class fraud
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 07:27 AM

I wonder how much better these 'source singers' would have sounded like had they been taught how to do it at university and obtained degrees in the subject?

Is doing it this way also the future or another white middle-class fraud?