THE WORLD CULTURE JOURNAL

published by  WebdaK Communications

My Archives: February 2005

Monday, February 14, 2005

No surprises in yesterday's GRAMMY Awards World Music Category:
Best traditional album went to "Raise Your Spirit Higher" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and the best contemporary award went to "Egypt" by Youssou N'Dour, which he actually produced already in 2001, but just released in 2004.

Posted by WB @ 09:46 AM NY [Link]

Friday, February 11, 2005

After years of intense lobbying, Hawaiian music became a new category at the 47th Grammy Awards. It established itself under the header Folk Music and became category #69 of by now 107 different categories/ awards.
While we always welcome initiatives to gain more recognition for local cultures, it seems a truly interesting precedent. Why Hawaiian music and not also French “Chanson”, Portuguese “Fado” or “Klezmer music”? Should not other national, regional or local music art forms have the same right as the Hawaiian tradition, instead of being judged against each other under the umbrella “World Music” or “Folk”. However, Hawaiian music does share its enhanced role already with “Reggae”(#70), “Native American Music(#68)” & “Polka(#73)”. Just imagine other musical traditions lobbying for their own spot in the music industries Oscar celebrations and we could have over 200 categories at the Grammy’s…

Posted by WB @ 10:09 PM NY [Link]

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

I fyou ever wanted to research some of the actors in a Japanese movie, but did not know, where to look, try JDorama.com, which calls itself also "Japanese Drama Home" - in English and Japanese. The site is maintained by a "website and Japanese drama hobbyist from Singapore" and features an A-Z index for actors and "dramas" and a time table and has many pictures.

Posted by WB @ 05:58 PM NY [Link]

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