Dear French Frank, We are all made differently and variety is the spice of life. I too have thoroughly enjoyed Music Planet and will be having withdrawal symptoms when it concludes. It's been the best world music type show on R3 for many a year. You may think that Andy Kershaw is just an enthusiast. But I've known him have many profound opinions on music. To give one example it was him that brought to my attention the creation and release of tension in Zimbabwean music when considering its rhythmic content. Apart from that Andy is the best JOURNALIST on the international scene since Michael Palin. And I think Andy would appreciate that comment. Best wishes, Martin Reynolds.
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He's also been through tough times, whatever the ins and outs of it. I empathise. The main thing is he's back on the wireless. I really hope that this is just the start.Comment
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I've been really enjoying Music Planet, but it's not without issues. The Music Planet series has been asked to follow into communities often the same or neighbouring communities to those shown on the Television series. Therefore the music has not always been of the highest quality, though people's relationships with their music has been pivotal.
There have been plenty of exceptions for me - the bamboo pipes and singing from the Solomon Islands; the jews harp players of Siberia; the pygmies in the jungles of Congo; and of course the magnificent throat singing from the Gobi desert. There's also been some fascinating elements - the memories of the slaughter of the Cambodian Musicians in the Killing Fields; the indentured workers of Dubai living in slave like circumstances surrounded by opulence; the Burmese former political prisoners living in Laos at the Burmese borders still using their music for change.
At other times the music has been less interesting but the relationship that people have with their music has shone through from across the world whether on Victoria Falls, in the Swiss Alps or the frozen Sami lands - and thus often their links with their World and with their environment. These are the things which I have found rivetting about the series and its two hosts have been complementary to each other.
Lucy has always been knowledgeable about the music, and has brought that to her sessions particularly, I thought, in Brazil and Mongolia. Andy is an enthusiast and he is enthusiastic about music and people and travel and journalism and has shown this throughout. Some may think he is a bit off-hand at times but I think it is the way his warmth comes through - when the Burmese former political prisoner tells the story of piecing a song back together that had been written in parts and remembered by a few, Andy's comments were memorable in his respect and regard for this man who had been through so much. And the Rocket Festival last week was so crazy, and who better to document it than Kershaw - just great radio, even if the music took a back seat. I think this has been a very fine series and I also will miss it when it's gone.Comment
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Had a note this morning from the author who was in need of permissions for a certain special photograph, to say that the AK autobiography is scheduled for publication on July 7th.
Now I presume it he meant 2011 ....
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Will it be Apologia Pro Vita Sua or Confessions, d'you think?It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
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The latter I'm sure....an explanation of how to get fromOriginally posted by french frank View Post
A
2 B
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>>Will it be Apologia Pro Vita Sua or Confessions, d'you think?
Well ff, like this forthcoming wedding I haven't given the matter any thought !
But I'd guess that it will be one or the other.
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I wonder if the chapter headings will be based on country music song titles ?Comment
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Word is that it's called 'Nooff's Witch' - I'm not sure about the apostrophical position and nor am I sure about where Nooff is - probably IOM! .... and Paul maybe there'll be a version of Folsom Prison Blues in there.Originally posted by Paul Sherratt View Post>>Will it be Apologia Pro Vita Sua or Confessions, d'you think?
Well ff, like this forthcoming wedding I haven't given the matter any thought !
But I'd guess that it will be one or the other.
PS
I wonder if the chapter headings will be based on country music song titles ?
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Every fisherman once sported a mullet. It is highly unusual, though, for anyone's right ear to be in the shape of Western Africa. Fortunately, it appears to have transmogrified into a joined up Solomon Islands. If you look closely, you can see the Deep Sea Canoe Movement between the Maramasike and the Malaita.Comment
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From post 21 ...
A 2 B or not 2 B ?
Whether tis nobler in the book to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous hairstyles
Or to play songs against a sea of troubles?.
It's a right old fardel to bear, and to avoid the bodkin.
But he has been lacking in orisons from fair nymphsComment
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England would be a far better place if everyone spoke like that.Comment
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