World Routes
(home) (rss feed)

23-Sep-2013
World Routes - Highlights
Lucy Duran looks back over 13 years of the programme, selecting some of the most memorable recordings made in almost 70 countries around the world. Last in series. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
02-Sep-2013
World Routes - Souad Massi in Session
Lucy Duran is joined by John L Walters and Arwa Haider for a round up of the latest CD releases and young Algerian singer Souad Massi in session. Souad Massi is part of a new generation of Algerian singers with one foot firmly in the present, and one in the past. Having studied Arabo-Andalusian and classical music, she now lives in Paris, performing rock music informed by the traditions, and with an outspoken message of freedom and liberty.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
26-Aug-2013
World Routes - Rainforest World Music Festival 2013: Episode 2
Lopa Kothari with more from the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, which presents local artists as well as bands from across the globe in a dramatic jungle setting. With festival performances from French vocal ensemble Chet Nuneta and the Shangyin Chamber Music Orchestra, and music from deep in the Rainforest at the Longhouse of sape player Matthew Ngau.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Aug-2013
World Routes - Rainforest World Music Festival 2013: 1. Rainforest World Music Festival 2013
Lopa Kothari visits the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, which presents local musicians as well as bands from across the world on a stage nestling between the edge of the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Including sets from Malaysian gamelan ensemble Rhythm in Bronze, Sarawak Longhouse band Madeeh, Australian aboriginal troupe Nunukul Yuggera, and million-selling star of Indonesian pop, Rafly Wa Saja, whose songs protest against Rainforest destruction. More from the Rainforest World Music Festival next week.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Aug-2013
World Routes - WOMAD 2013: Episode 2
Lucy Duran presents more highlights from this year's WOMAD festival held at Charlton Park in Wiltshire two weeks' ago. Including the groups Dawanggang from China and Canzoniere Grecanico from Southern Italy. Producer James Parkin. Dawanggang is a musical ensemble created by Song Yuzhe, an eclectic musician from the North East of China. While the name Dawanggang has no other meaning than "what you see above", the content of the music reaches far and wide, from the nomadic themes of Western China to broad experimental lines. Formed by writer Rina Durante in 1975, Canzoniere Grecanico is a traditional music ensemble from Salento, Italy. The seven piece band perform a contemporary style of Southern Italy's traditional Pizzica music and dance. Based in Lecce, the group performs under the direction of fiddler and drummer Mauro Durante. Canzoniere Grecanico has recorded 17 albums and performed all over the world. In 2010, they were awarded Best Italian World Music Group at the Meeting of Independent Labels festival in Italy.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
05-Aug-2013
World Routes - WOMAD 2013: Episode 1
Lucy Duran presents more highlights from last weekend's WOMAD festival held at Charlton Park in Wiltshire. Including the Malian star Rokia Traore, Guy Schalom's Egyptian project Baladi Blues and the Brazilian beats of DJ Tudo. Producer James Parkin. Rokia Traoré is a Victoires de la Musique award-winning Malian singer, songwriter and guitarist. Born in Mali as a member of the Bambara ethnic group. Unusually for a female musician in Africa, Rokia plays acoustic guitar as well as sings, and she uses vocal harmonies in her arrangements which are rare in Malian music. Her first album "Mouneïssa" (1997) sold over 40,000 copies in Europe. Her second album "Wanita" was widely acclaimed with The New York Times nominating it as one of its critics' albums of the In 2013, her latest album "Beautiful Africa" was released and she performed at the Glastonbury Festival. Described as urban Egyptian dance music, Baladi Blues combine accordion and saxophone improvisations with Arabic percussion uniting some of Egypt's most renownedmaster musicians: Ahmed El Saidi, Sheik Taha and Aly el Minyawi. Regarded as one of Brazil's most important researchers of that country's traditional cultrure, DJ Tudo has a collection of over 1700 recorded hours, including around 10, 000 LPs. The marrying of this amazing collection of sounds from all over Brazil with acoustic bass, electric bass, sampling, percussion, keyboards and programming has created the unique sound that is DJ Tudo.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
23-Jul-2013
World Routes - 21/07/2013
Lucy Duran presents a session from legendary Cuban son band Sierra Maestra, and Arwa Haider and John L Walters join her to review recent CD releases from around the world.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
15-Jul-2013
World Routes - Pansori Night
Lucy Duran introduces a concert of Pansori, a form of Korean musical drama, from the K-Music Festival 2013. The concert features renowned Pansori singer Ahn Sook-Sun, as well as solo and ensemble music performed on the traditional Korean zithers the gayageum and the geomungo.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
08-Jul-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2013: 07/07/2013
Lucy Duran is in Azerbaijan for the final time for this year's World Routes Academy. The scheme's apprentice Fidan Hajiyeva and her teacher, the celebrated singer Gochaq Askarov travel to Sheki, or the Switzerland of Azerbaijan as it's known, as well the ancient capital and cultural power-house Samxi. Producer James Parkin. In January 2013 UK-based, 17 year Fidan Hajiyeva old became the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. In Previous years, the scheme has worked with musicians from Iraq, Southern India, and Colombia.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
01-Jul-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2013: Part 5
Lucy Duran is in Azerbaijan with the World Routes Academy apprentice Fidan Hajiyeva and her teacher, the celebrated singer Gochaq Askarov. Fidan is learning the ancient style of Azeri Mugham in the country's capital Baku, where she listens to performances by the Mamadova Sisters and meets the country's top pop star, the aptly named Brilliant. Producer James Parkin. In January 2013 UK-based, 17 year Fidan Hajiyeva old became the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. In Previous years, the scheme has worked with musicians from Iraq, Southern India, and Colombia.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Jun-2013
World Routes - CD Review, Los Desterrados in Session
Lucy Duran introduces a review of new World Music releases with critics Jane Cornwell and Reda El Mawy, and a session with London-based Judeo-Spanish group Los Desterrados, The Exiles, reviving ladino music old and new.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Jun-2013
World Routes - Shetland Folk Festival 2013: Episode 2
Mary Ann Kennedy continues Radio 3's celebration of British music with more from the Shetland Folk Festival, focusing on the Islands' own strong musical heritage, which shows influences from nearby Scandinavia as well as mainland Scotland. Local fiddle player Kevin Henderson plays tunes in Shetland style, Claire White sings in Shetland dialect, and there are highlights of the Isles' Gathering, a get-together of leading musicians from both Orkney and Shetland.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
11-Jun-2013
World Routes - Shetland Folk Festival 2013: 1. British Music from the Shetland Folk Festival
As part of Radio 3's celebration of British music, Mary Ann Kennedy visits the Shetland Folk Festival, an annual gathering of musicians from all around the British Isles and beyond, performing in venues spread across the UK's most northerly islands. With concert highlights from The Long Notes, whose members come from England, Scotland and Ireland; a session with Ireland's Rambling Boys of Pleasure; a set from English bluegrass banjo virtuoso Leon Hunt; and fast and furious dance tunes from Scotland's Skerryvore.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Jun-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2013: World Routes Academy with the London Turkish Community
Lucy Duran visits a musical event with London's Turkish community in a cafe in Stoke Newington. The Nefes Ensemble is joined by World Routes Academy protegee Fidan Hajiyeva in traditional songs from rural Turkey, and Brighton-born Turkish Cypriot Dogan Mehmet performs contemporary Turkish songs with a UK twist. The Nefes Ensemble is a mix of amateur and professional performers, devoting themselves to presenting the folk songs of Turkey in their authentic forms. Nefes means 'breath', and they see themselves as expressing Turkey's cultural soul while living many miles away from their homeland. World Routes Academy protegee Fidan Hajiyeva learned Turkish as a child - their culture and heritage is close to that of her native Azerbaijan. Dogan Mehmet's background mixes his Turkish Cypriot heritage with English folk and American rock, and all these elements are evident in the eclectic style of his band the Boombox Karavan.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
27-May-2013
World Routes - Equatorial Guinea: Equatorial Guinea Episode 2
Lucy Duran heads back to Equatorial Guinea to hear the music of the island of Annobon and meet singer and guitarist Desmali. Desmali is a quiet emotional man with a sweet toned voice, who comes from the remote island of Annobon, 400 miles south of the capital Malabo, separated from the rest of Equatorial Guinea by Sao Tome and Principe. Desmali is clearly a performer, and in the slum where he lives, ironically named "Niu Bili" meaning New Building, sat under the almond and mango trees he worked an ever growing crowd of elders and children drawn to World Routes' Sunday afternoon recording session. His songs were of love for his guitar, a woman he met called Sonita, but also of a life spent struggling to make ends meet through music. Despite the tinge of wistful melancholy that haunted his words. the music confounded easy definition, so naturally embracing centuries of criss-crossed paths of returned slaves, Europeans and indigenous people that make Equatorial Guinea, and its music so unique. Home to many different ethnic groups, the Fang, Bubi, Ndowe, Bisio, Krio and others, Equatorial Guinea is spread across a mainland portion, squeezed between Gabon and Cameroon, and a series of islands, the largest being Bioko and home to capital Malabo. The Spanish claimed the country in 1843 as Spanish Guinea, independence came in 1968, followed by the 11-year reign of terror of first president Francisco Macias Nguema. He was overthrown by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who at 34 years in the job is now Africa's longest serving leader. Since the discovery of oil in the mid-1990s Equatorial Guinea has become an extremely wealthy nation, and is undergoing extensive infrastructural change.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
20-May-2013
World Routes - Equatorial Guinea: 1. Equatorial Guinea
Lucy Duran heads to Equatorial Guinea in central Africa, with her guide Isabela de Aranzadi, to hear the music of the majority Fang people. She meets Stanislav Bengono Nvo, one of the few remaining players of the mvet, a 4 string harp zither. They head deep into the continental portion of the country to meet local artisan Felipe Osa and possibly for the first time ever record the Abakuya dance tradition, which has its roots in Nigeria, then Cuba and then Equatorial Guinea. In the forest Lucy goes in search of a man called Chacho who performs the Fang funeral tradition of Ndomba, and back on the island of Bioko they hear the many xylophones of the Fang language Catholic mass. Home to many different ethnic groups, the Fang, Bubi, Ndowe, Bisio, Krio and others, Equatorial Guinea is spread across a mainland portion, squeezed between Gabon and Cameroon, and a series of islands, the largest being Bioko and home to capital Malabo. It first cropped up on European maps when Portuguese explorer Fernando Po passed by the islands in the 15th Century; then, swapped for a bit of Brazil with the Spanish, it began its Spanish speaking history. The British had a go at moving their anti-slavery operations from nearby Sierra Leone to Malabo in the early 19th Century but the Spanish weren't giving up, and returned in 1843 to claim back Spanish Guinea, bringing Catholicism too. Independence came in 1968, followed by the 11-year reign of terror of first president Francisco Macias Nguema. He was overthrown by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who at 34 years in the job is now Africa's longest serving leader. Since the discovery of oil in the mid-1990s Equatorial Guinea has become an extremely wealthy nation, and is undergoing extensive infrastructural change.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
13-May-2013
World Routes - CD Round-Up and Aziza Brahim Session
Lucy Duran presents a round up of the latest world music recordings with Arwa Haider and John L Walters and a session by Saharawi singer Aziza Brahim. Born in the Saharawi refugee camps in south-west Algeria Aziza Brahim is seen as one of the most exciting musical talents from the Western Sahara and an important figure head for the Saharawi cause. Her music is a unique blend of traditional Saharawi Hawl and Latin Jazz drawn from her Saharawi routes as well as years spent studying in Cuba. Her new album, to be recorded in Barcelona, is set for release in the Autumn of 2013.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
06-May-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy in Azerbaijan
Lucy Duran is in Azerbaijan with the World Routes Academy apprentice Fidan Hajiyeva and her teacher, the celebrated singer Gochaq Askarov. Fidan is learning the ancient style of Azeri Mugham in the country's capital Baku, where she attends masterclasses with, and listens to performances by, some of the great masters of Azeri music. Producer James Parkin. In January 2013 UK-based, 17 year Fidan Hajiyeva old became the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. In previous years, the scheme has worked with musicians from Iraq, Southern India, and Colombia.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
22-Apr-2013
World Routes - CD review and tribute to singer Bi Kidude
Lucy Duran introduces a review of new World Music recordings with critics Jane Cornwell and Robin Denselow, and a tribute to Bi Kidude, Zanzibar's most famous female Taraab singer, who died earlier this week, including archive material from a World Routes trip to the island in 2005.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
01-Apr-2013
World Routes - The Baroque and Beyond: Episode 5
As part of Baroque Spring, Lucy Duran presents the last of five programmes recorded in South America. Her journey ends with the iconic panpipes of Lake Titicaca, and the characteristic singing style of the high Andes in Bolivia. She celebrates new year in the world's highest capital city - La Paz - and records the world famous band Los Masis, in their home town of Sucre which is the town where Simon Bolivar declared Latin American independence. Producer James Parkin. World Routes gets to the heart of Latin American Baroque in two of the continent's most musical nations. The programme makes exclusive recordings of music and musicians that date from the Baroque period, as well as other traditions that date from before or after the 16th and 17th Centuries. After an extensive review of music-making in Paraguay, World Routes devotes the last two programmes in March to Bolivia. This week Lucy enjoys the traditional panpipes of Lake Titicaca at around 4000m above sea level, and further down the mountain, there's the Andean sounds of Bolivia's most celebrated group: Los Masis. They're based very close to the spot in Sucre where Simon Boliva declared independence for the continent.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
25-Mar-2013
World Routes - The Baroque and Beyond: Episode 4
Throughout March, as part of Baroque Spring, Lucy Duran visits South America. This week, she's in Bolivia where she enjoys the famed Baroque music of Chiquitos. Plus, fighting for breath in the world's highest capital city, she meets the celebrated charango player Ernesto Cavour in La Paz. Producer James Parkin. World Routes gets to the heart of Latin American Baroque in two of the continent's most musical nations. The programme makes exclusive recordings of music and musicians that date from the Baroque period, as well as other traditions that date from before or after the 16th and 17th Centuries. After an extensive review of music-making in Paraguay, World Routes devotes the last two programmes in March to Bolivia. This week Lucy records the diverse sounds of the lowland areas which have become famous for the Baroque music of the Jesuit missions. Next week she enjoys the traditional panpipes of Lake Titicaca at around 4000m above sea level, and further down the mountain, there's the Andean sounds of Bolivia's most celebrated group: Los Masis. They're based very close to the spot in Sucre where Simon Bolivar declared independence for the continent.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Mar-2013
World Routes - The Baroque and Beyond: Episode 3
Throughout March, as part of Baroque Spring, Lucy Duran visits South America. This week, she concludes her visit to Paraguay, where she meets one of the world's greatest exponents of the Paraguayan harp Kike Pedersen. Plus, in the historic Misiones region, she records cowboy-musicians on a working ranch, and records music of the Latin American Baroque on one of the continent's only replica Baroque harps. Next week: Bolivia. Producer James Parkin. World Routes gets to the heart of Latin American Baroque in two of the continent's most musical nations. The programme makes exclusive recordings of music and musicians that date from the Baroque period, as well as other traditions that date from before or after the 16th and 17th Centuries. In Paraguay, the focus is the harp which has become the national instrument. Duran records one of the only true replicas of a Baroque harp on the whole continent, and savours the unique atmosphere of Misiones where she stands amongst the ruins listening to young students recreating the choral sounds of the banished Jesuits. Plus there's country music recorded on a working ranch and a session with one of the world's greatest female guitarists, Berta Rojas. In La Paz, Bolivia, Duran records the traditional panpipes of Lake Titicaca at around 4000m above sea level. Further down the mountain, there's the Andean sounds of Bolivia's most celebrated group: Los Masis. They're based very close to the spot in Sucre where Simon Boliva declared independence for the continent. And there's music from Amazonian Indians, and Baroque music written by indigenous composers in the 17th Century: performed these days by a youth orchestra in the exquisitely renovated churches of San Jose de Chiquitos.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
11-Mar-2013
World Routes - The Baroque and Beyond: Episode 2
Throughout March, as part of Baroque Spring, Lucy Duran visits Paraguay and Bolivia. This week in Paraguay, she meets one of the world's greatest classical guitarists, Berta Rojas. Plus she visits the Arpa Roga - or Harp School of Asuncion - where the famous Pedersen family of harpists and musicians teach children to play the exquisite national instrument of Paraguay. Producer James Parkin. World Routes gets to the heart of Latin American Baroque in two of the continent's most musical nations. The programme makes exclusive recordings of music and musicians that date from the Baroque period, as well as other traditions that date from before or after the 16th and 17th Centuries. In Paraguay, the focus is the harp which has become the national instrument. Duran hears it in its modern form, visits a harp school where children get off the streets and learn music, and also records one of the only true replicas of a Baroque harp on the whole continent. She savours the unique atmosphere of Misiones where she stands amongst the ruins listening to young students recreating the choral sounds of the banished Jesuits. Plus there's country music recorded on a working ranch and a session with one of the world's greatest female guitarists, Berta Rojas. In La Paz, Bolivia, Duran records the traditional panpipes of Lake Titicaca at around 4000m above sea level. Further down the mountain, there's the Andean sounds of Bolivia's most celebrated group: Los Masis. They're based very close to the spot in Sucre where Simon Boliva declared independence for the continent. And there's music from Amazonian Indians, and Baroque music written by indigenous composers in the 17th Century: performed these days by a youth orchestra in the exquisitely renovated churches of San Jose de Chiquitos.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
04-Mar-2013
World Routes - The Baroque and Beyond: 1. Paraguay
Throughout March, and as part of Baroque Spring, Lucy Duran explores Latin American Baroque in Paraguay and Bolivia. This week she's in Asuncion Paraguay where she meets the country's most celebrated harpist Nicolas Caballero. Plus she goes in search of the small and elusive Afro-Paraguayan community. Producer James Parkin World Routes gets to the heart of Latin American Baroque in two of the continent's most musical nations. The programme makes exclusive recordings of music and musicians that date from the Baroque period, as well as other traditions that date from before or after the 16th and 17th Centuries. In Paraguay, the focus is the harp which has become the national instrument. Duran hears it in its modern form, visits a harp school where children get off the streets and learn music, and also records one of the only true replicas of a Baroque harp on the whole continent. She savours the unique atmosphere of Misiones where she stands amongst the ruins listening to young students recreating the choral sounds of the banished Jesuits. Plus there's country music recorded on a working ranch and a session with one of the world's greatest female guitarists, Berta Rojas. In Bolivia, Duran travels to La Paz to record the traditional panpipes of Lake Titicaca at around 4000m above sea level. Further down the mountain, there's the Andean sounds of Bolivia's most celebrated group: Los Masis. They're based very close to the spot in Sucre where Simon Boliva declared independence for the continent. And at sea level there's music from Amazonian Indians, and Baroque music written by indigenous composers in the 17th Century, but performed these days by a youth orchestra in the exquisitely renovated churches of San Jose de Chiquitos.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
25-Feb-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2013: World Routes Academy - the London Session
The new World Routes Academy protegee, 17-year-old Azeri Londoner Fidan Hajiyeva, makes her debut session at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. As well as solos and a duet with her mentor Gochaq Askarov, we hear from her family about their own musical backgrounds. Introduced by Lucy Duran.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Feb-2013
World Routes - The Nile Project in Aswan: Episode 2
Simon Broughton with more music from The Nile Project in Aswan, Egypt, a multi-disciplinary gathering featuring musicians from different cultures along the river, including performers from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda. This week the programme focuses on Nubian culture, still present in the Aswan basin, but which suffered considerably with the creation of the High Dam and the Nasser lake in the late 1960s. Plus there are highlights from the festival concert recorded specially for the programme in Aswan.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
11-Feb-2013
World Routes - The Nile Project in Aswan: Episode 1
In the first of two programmes, Simon Broughton visits The Nile Project in Aswan, Egypt, a multi-disciplinary gathering featuring musicians from different cultures along the river, including performers from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda. This week the programme explores the connexion between the different lyres found along the river, from the simple five-string Sudanese masankop to the Egyptian multi-string semsemia. Plus there are highlights from the festival concert recorded specially for the programme in Aswan.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
28-Jan-2013
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2013: World Routes Academy Launch 2013
Lucy Duran launches the 2013 World Routes Academy with live performances by the 2012 mentee José Hernando Noguera and the Roberto Pla Latin Band. Plus the first public appearance together by the new apprentice and their mentor who are announced at this special event from the BBC Radio Theatre in London by PJ Harvey. Producer James Parkin. World Routes celebrates the 2013 apprentice and mentor of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy. It will be announced that a UK-based, 17 year old will become the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. His or her mentor is flying in specially to be at the BBC Radio Theatre. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. Tonight's programme broadcasts highlights of the event held in London two days previously. Accordionist José Hernando Noguera of Colombian background, took part in the World Routes Academy in 2012. In Previous years, the scheme has worked with musicians from Iraq and Southern India.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-Jan-2013
World Routes - Kalia Baklitzanaki in Session
Lucy Duran is joined by young Cretan singer and nay player Kalia Baklitzanaki. Drawing on the musical traditions of her homeland, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, Kalia writes new music rooted in old traditions. Writers Sue Steward and Andy Morgan join Lucy to review new releases of music from around the world.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
14-Jan-2013
World Routes - A Tribute to Ravi Shankar: Episode 2
As a tribute to the late Ravi Shankar, Lucy Duran introduces a full-length performance of Raga Kaushi Kanhara, from his classic live recording from Carnegie Hall in 2000. He is accompanied by his daughter Anoushka on sitar, with Bikram Ghosh and Tanmoy Bose on tabla.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
07-Jan-2013
World Routes - A Tribute to Ravi Shankar: 1. Raga Jog
As a tribute to the late Ravi Shankar, Lucy Duran introduces a full-length performance of Raga Jog, Ravi Shankar's first recording from 1956, accompanied by Chatur Lal on tabla. This is the first of two tribute programmes to Ravi Shankar - next week we hear him play Raga Kaushi Kanhara, from his classic live recording at Carnegie Hall in 2000.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
31-Dec-2012
World Routes - World Routes Academy Revisited
Lucy Duran revisits World Routes Academy 2012 with British-Colombian accordionist Jose Hernando Arias Noguera, reflecting on the challenges, memories and lessons of his apprenticeship. Apart from highlights of the project, which include two trips to Colombia, a Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall as well as other events, Jose Hernando performs in the studio.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Dec-2012
World Routes - World Routes in Athens: Episode 2
Moshe Morad is in Athens for the second of two programmes celebrating the Greek capital's vibrant traditional urban music scene. This week, Greece's finest accordionist, Lazarus Koulaxizis appears in session, and there's more Greek blues or Rembetiko from the famous Meat Market of Athens. Plus, live on stage, a gig by the veteran star of Rembetiko, Mario. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Dec-2012
World Routes - World Routes in Athens: 1. Athens
Moshe Morad is in Athens for the first of two programmes celebrating the rich mix of traditional urban music in the Greek capital. There's a session by the man many consider to be the greatest living bazouki player, Manolis Karantinis, and an authentic performance of Rembetiko or the Greek blues from a small downtown kafeneion. Plus a special World Routes gig in the port of Rafina by one of Greece's best-loved singers Glykeria. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
10-Dec-2012
World Routes - Songlines Music Awards 2012 Concert
Lucy Duran presents music from around the world recorded at the Songlines Music Awards concert. On stage at the Barbican in London, winners of this years awards gather to play live, including Touareg desert rock band Tinariwen, winners of the 2012 Best Group category. Tinariwen is a band whose music is inextricably linked with the plight of the Saharan Touareg people. From their early days fighting in the Touareg rebellion of the early 1990s its members now face threats of violence if they return to their homes in the North of Mali, an area for whose independence they once fought and is now under control of armed Islamist groups. Having made their distinctive desert-rock sound world famous, Tinariwen have inspired a new generation of Touareg musicians, yet their music still embodies a raw power, both of the desert and of the struggle of the Touareg people over the years.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Dec-2012
World Routes - Album Review and Sidi Toure in Session
Lucy Duran introduces a review of new albums of world music, plus a studio session with Malian blues singer Sidi Toure. Sidi Toure has been on the prolific Malian music scene for many years, but he is only now starting to make waves internationally. His songs are rooted in the traditional music of the Songhai people of northern Mali, and he says he was inspired by a visit to a sacred sand dune by the River Niger, which, according to legend, is a meeting place for the most powerful wizards of the world. Even before the current troubles in Mali, Sidi Toure was writing about challenges and tensions in the country. He reflects "We have to be fighters, to say when things go right, when thing go wrong, especially when they go wrong. We have to sing to find solutions. We have a role, a duty to increase public awareness. I can only sing that Mali is a multiracial country, that we have to be united and reconciled, and we must forgive each other for a strong and prosperous Mali.".
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
26-Nov-2012
World Routes - Mulatu Astatke
Lucy Duran presents Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke on stage at Koko in London, as part of the 2012 London Jazz Festival. Born in 1943, Ethiopian pianist and vibes player Mulatu Astatke is known as the father of Ethio-jazz, a genre that spans everything from traditional Ethiopian rhythms to straight ahead jazz, funk and latin. He studied in London and the US, where he went on to work with Duke Ellington, bringing a host of influences back to his native Ethiopia. In recent years he has been embraced by a new generation of fans, including film maker Jim Jarmusch (in Broken Flowers) and musicians Nas and Damian Marley.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Nov-2012
World Routes - Carminho at the 2012 London Jazz Festival
A concert performance by a rising star of Portuguese fado, Carminho. The singer was recorded at the South Bank earlier this week as part of the 2012 London Jazz Festival. Introduced by Andrew McGregor. 28-year-old Carminho combines traditional soul-searching, fado songs with modern arrangements of the music of Brazilian great masters. Her critically acclaimed debut album was deemed one of the best in 2011, and her new recording as well as her live concerts all over the world have made one critic say 'Carminho has a voice both beautifully translucent and stunning in its emotional charge'.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Nov-2012
World Routes - WOMEX 2012: Episode 2
Lucy Duran introduces more highlights from WOMEX 2012, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place this year in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. WOMEX showcases some of the newest talent in world music, and this week Lucy Duran introduces performances by Mokoomba from Zimbabwe, Hungarian violin virtuoso Felix Lajko, Geomungo Factory from South Korea, and Iranian bagpiper Mohsen Sharifian with The Lian Band.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
05-Nov-2012
World Routes - WOMEX 2012: 1. WOMEX 2012
Musical highlights from WOMEX, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place this year in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. WOMEX showcases some of the newest freshest talent in world music as well as celebrating more established names, and this week Lucy Duran introduces performances by Eva Ayllon from Peru, Michalis Tzouganakis from Greece and Le Sahel from Senegal.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
29-Oct-2012
World Routes - Gonul Ekmekci and Nefes Ensemble in Session
Lucy Duran reviews new releases of World Music with critics Jane Cornwell and John L. Walters, and a session with Gonul Ekmekci and members of the Nefes Ensemble featuring Turkish folk songs on authentic instruments.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
22-Oct-2012
World Routes - Kenya
Lucy Duran visits Kenya where she meets the singer Suzanna Owiyo in Nairobi. Plus she hears rain songs in the north of the country which frequently suffers from terrible drought, and in the south, she records the Massai who sing of the dangers of cattle raiding. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
15-Oct-2012
World Routes - Darbar Festival 2012: 3. Veena and Kyhal Singing
Lopa Kothari introduces highlights from the Darbar Festival of Indian classical music, which took place last month at the Purcell Room in London. With music on the South Indian veena played by Chitraveena Ravikan, and singing in the North Indian khyal tradition from Shruti Sadolikar. The Darbar Festival has established itself as the UK's premier festival of Indian classical music, a four-day event with concerts in the mornings and afternoons as well as in the evenings, allowing for perfomances of ragas associated with specific times of the day. The festival has always championed the lesser-known music of South India, as well as the more familiar Hindustani music. This is the last of three programmes devoted to this year's Festival.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
08-Oct-2012
World Routes - Darbar Festival 2012: 2. North Indian Music for Flute and Surbahar
Lopa Kothari introduces highlights from the Darbar Festival of Indian classical music, which took place last weekend at the Purcell Room in London. In a programme of North Indian music, Pandit Rajendra Prasanna plays ragas on the bamboo flute, and Pushparaj Koshti performs on the deep-toned surbahar. The Darbar Festival has established itself as the UK's premier festival of Indian classical music, a four-day event with concerts in the mornings and afternoons as well as in the evenings, allowing for perfomances of ragas associated with specific times of the day. The festival has always championed the lesser-known music of South India, as well as the more familiar Hindustani music. This is the second of three programmes devoted to this year's Festival.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
01-Oct-2012
World Routes - Darbar Festival 2012: 1. South Indian Violin Duo
Lopa Kothari introduces highlights from the Darbar Festival of Indian classical music, taking place this weekend at the Purcell Room in London. The celebrated South Indian violin duo the Mysore Brothers make a rare UK visit, and Joydeep Ghosh plays the seldom-heard lute-like instrument, the sursingar. The Darbar Festival has established itself as the UK's premier festival of Indian classical music, a four-day event with concerts in the mornings and afternoons as well as in the evenings, allowing for perfomances of ragas associated with specific times of the day. The festival has always championed the lesser-known music of South India, as well as the more familiar Hindustani music. This is the first of three programmes devoted to this year's Festival.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Sep-2012
World Routes - Timitar Festival 2009: Episode 2
Lucy Duran introduces highlights from the 2009 Timitar Festival, held in the Moroccan coastal town of Agadir. This celebration of Berber culture attracts audiences of more than100,000 in the city's vast central square. With Berber songs from local diva Raissa Aicha Tachinouit, Saharawi music from Rachida Talal and a rare live apperarance by Morocco's biggest star in the Arab world Samira Said. WORLD ROUTES Presented by Lucy Duran Produced by Roger Short Tel. 020 7765 4661 Fax. 020 7765 5052 e-mail world.routes@bbc.co.uk Saturday 5th December, 3:00pm Highlights from the Timitar Festival, Agadir Arr. Tachinouite: Mimouna Raissa Aicha Tachinouite BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco. Lucy Duran interviews Raissa Aicha Tachinouite Arr. Talal: Hassnae ya Lila Rachida Talal BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco. Lucy Duran interviews Rachida Talal Arr. Talal: Gowate ya Lila Rachida Talal BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco. Arr. Said: Khallini Samira Said BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco. Lucy Duran interviews Samira Said Arr. Said: Bladi Samira Said BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco. Said: Allah, Allah
 Samira Said BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, on location, Agadir, Morocco.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Sep-2012
World Routes - 16/09/2012
Lucy Duran introduces highlights from Morocco's Timitar Festival, held in the Atlantic coastal town of Agadir. This celebration of Berber culture attracts audiences of more than 100,000 to the city's vast central square, drawn by the chance to see Berber artists whose music is rarely heard outside Morocco. With performances by Rais Aarab Atigui from the Tiznit region as well as local stars Iguidar. First broadcast in November 2009.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
10-Sep-2012
World Routes - Album Review and Session with Fuyuki Enokido
Lucy Duran presents a review of new world music albums, and Paul Fisher introduces a studio session with Japanese Koto player Fuyuki Enokido.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Sep-2012
World Routes - Bhaktapur, Nepal
Lucy Duran travels to the ancient capital of Nepal, Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. The seat of culture in Nepal, it's a city full of diverse traditional music, and today's programme includes exclusively recorded sessions by The Master Drummers of Nepal, a group of flute-playing farmers, and the temple singing group Chandeshwari Dapha. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
13-Aug-2012
World Routes - WOMAD 2012 Highlights: Nazaket Teymurova, Boubacar Traore
Lucy Duran presents a final programme of highlights from the WOMAD Festival. Nazaket Teymurova, a classical singer from Azerbaijan, makes her much-anticipated UK debut on the BBC Radio 3 stage, and Malian singer and guitarist Boubacar Traore performs in the giant Siam Tent.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
06-Aug-2012
World Routes - WOMAD 2012 Highlights
Lucy Duran presents more highlights from last weekend's WOMAD festival in Wiltshire, including Frank Yamma from Australia, Abdallah Oumbadougou from Niger and the panpie group Narasirato from the Solomon Islands. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
23-Jul-2012
World Routes - Album review and Mali-Brazil collaboration session
A review of new world music albums, and a studio session with a Mali-Brazil collaboration featuring kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté with songwriter Arnaldo Antunes and guitarist Edgard Scandurra. Presented by Lucy Duran. Toumani Diabaté first collaborated with Arnaldo Antunes and Edgard Scandurra at the 2010 Back2Black Festival in Rio de Janeiro. He then invited them to Bamako to record an album, and they were in the UK in early July for London's own Back2Black Festival. The album 'A Curva Da Cintura' was released in June, and both the album and this World Routes session also features the playing of Toumani's son, Sidiki.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
16-Jul-2012
World Routes - 15/07/2012
Lucy Duran hosts a round table discussion in Bamako, Mali with some of the leading writers and academics of West Africa's post-independence era of dance band music. Joined around the table at the French Institute in Bamako by Malian journalist Adam Thiam, Professor John Collins from the University of Ghana, French record collector Florent Mazzoleni, Nigerian-American writer Uchenna Ikonne and expert on the music of Guinea, Graeme Counsel, they discuss how the period of cultural-authenticity sowed the seeds of modern music rooted in traditional values, and how today's musicians navigate the tricky ideals of modernity, tradition and authenticity.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
09-Jul-2012
World Routes - 08/07/2012
In October 2011 Lucy Duran travelled to Mali in West Africa to meet rapper Amkoullel and hear the music of young Malians. On the streets of Bamako she met and recorded musicians from Bambara, Fulani and Bobo ethnic groups, all of whom are drawing on their traditional roots and making music for the future. She attended the musical wedding parties that spread all over the city each weekend, the informal street discussions called Grins where young men discuss politics, music and local gossip, and went cassette shopping to find out how music piracy is affecting young musicians. Since March 2012 Mali has been in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis, one of the most serious since the country gained independence from France in 1960. With Tuareg rebels controlling the north of the country, and political instability still rife in the capital, reports are that the music that resounded on the streets of Bamako when World Routes visited has now fallen silent. On this week's World Routes hear the young, vital sound of one of Africa's most musical nations, before it was plunged into political crisis.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
02-Jul-2012
World Routes - 01/07/2012
As part of the 2012 World Routes Academy, Lucy Duran follows the progress of young protégé and accordionist Jose Hernando Arias Noguera as he competes in a folk music contest in North East Colombia. In last week's programme he reached the quarter-finals, but will he go further? There's also the specially-recorded music of the Arhuaco people, one of Colombia's indigenous groups who live high in the remote and dangerous Sierra Nevada mountain range. Producer James Parkin. 2/2 Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young UK-based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field belonging to the same tradition. This year the scheme explores the Colombian accordion folk tradition called vallenato through the eyes of self-taught, UK based accordionist José Hernando Arias Noguera. Growing up in a Colombian household, José fell in love with vallenato, the popular folk style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia which he learned through watching internet clips and video cassettes his father brought back from Colombia. José plays in a number of Latin music bands in London and dreams of becoming an ambassador for Vallenato music in Europe. These 2 editions of the World Routes Academy see a dream come true for Jose Hernando who gets to take part in the famed "Legend of Vallenato" accordion festival which takes place once a year in the city of Valledupar. The programmes document Jose Hernando's progress as he competes in the amateur category of the competition. Making history, he becomes the first British-born Colombian to take part in the festival and becomes the first competitor to sing in English and Spanish.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
25-Jun-2012
World Routes - 24/06/2012
As part of the World Routes Academy, Lucy Duran travels to the Valledupar accordion festival and competition held in the north east of Colombia. Whilst there, she follows the progress of Academy protege Jose Hernando Arias Noguera who takes part in the amateur category of the event, and travels to the remote and dangerous Sierra Nevada mountain range to hear the music of the Kankuamos people. Plus she meets the President of Colombia who explains what business a head of state has opening a folk festival. Producer James Parkin. 1/2 Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young UK-based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field belonging to the same tradition. This year the scheme explores the Colombian accordion folk tradition called vallenato through the eyes of self-taught, UK based accordionist José Hernando Arias Noguera. Growing up in a Colombian household, José fell in love with vallenato, the popular folk style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia which he learned through watching internet clips and video cassettes his father brought back from Colombia. José plays in a number of Latin music bands in London and dreams of becoming an ambassador for Vallenato music in Europe. These 2 editions of the World Routes Academy see a dream come true for Jose Hernando who gets to take part in the famed "Legend of Vallenato" accordion festival which takes place once a year in the city of Valledupar. The programmes document Jose Hernando's progress as he competes in the amateur category of the competition. Making history, he becomes the first British-born Colombian to take part in the festival and becomes the first competitor to sing in English and Spanish.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Jun-2012
World Routes - Jerusalem International Oud Festival
Moshe Morad with a final selection of highlights from the 2011 Jerusalem International Oud Festival which took place last November, including Palestinian songs sung by Sana Moussa, and the mighty voice of Aynur who was once banned in Turkey for singing in Kurdish. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
11-Jun-2012
World Routes - Review and Session with Uday Bhawalkar
Lucy Duran is joined by Arwa Haider and John L Walters for a review of new world music albums, and Uday Bhawalkar sings the ancient Indian classical style of dhrupad. Uday Bhawalkar comes from the Indian city of Pune, and he has devoted his life to singing 'dhrupad', an ancient style of devotional singing. In dhrupad, the sacred words are drawn out over a long period, the singer slowly exploring the sound of each syllable, intended to induce a trance-like state in both singer and listeners.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
04-Jun-2012
World Routes - The Imagined Village
Max Reinhardt introduces a concert from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall by The Imagined Village, a group of musicians taking a fresh look at English traditions through arrangements of folk songs, as well as new compositions. The band includes folk legend Martin Carthy, singers Eliza Carthy and Jackie Oates, composer and guitarist Simon Emmerson, sitar player Sheema Mukherjee and percussionist Johnny Kalsi.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
28-May-2012
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2012: 4. World Routes Academy - Colombian Culture in London
Lucy Duran explores how London's Colombian community keep their culture alive so far from home. With a studio session by Roberto Pla and World Routes Academy protégé José Hernando. A master timbale player, UK-based Roberto Pla has given a new voice to the rhythmic sounds of his native Colombia. Together with his 14-piece Latin ensemble he continues to stretch the boundaries of Colombian music by infusing it with his own mix of salsa, cumbia and Afro-Cuban jazz. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young UK-based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field belonging to the same tradition. This year the scheme explores the Colombian accordion folk tradition called vallenato through the eyes of self-taught, UK based accordionist José Hernando Arias Noguera. Growing up in a Colombian household, José fell in love with vallenato, the popular folk style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia which he learned through watching internet clips and video cassettes his father brought back from Colombia. José plays in a number of Latin music bands in London and dreams of becoming an ambassador for Vallenato music in Europe. The Colombian community constitutes the UK's second largest Latin American community, and on a global scale it ranks as the world's fourth largest overseas Colombian immigrant population. The overwhelming majority of Colombians in the UK live in London. This edition of the World Routes Academy gives an insight into Colombian cultural life in the UK and hears from a number of UK-resident Colombian movers and shakers including Landa Acevedo Scott from Colombiage, a London-based organisation promoting contemporary Colombian arts in the UK, and harpist Diego Laverde Rojas, who has lived in the UK for 12 years and plays the arpa llanera - the Colombian harp named after Los Llanos, the lowland area between Colombia and Venezuela.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-May-2012
World Routes - Jerusalem Oud Festival 2011: Episode 2
Moshe Morad presents more specially-recorded highlights from the 2011 Jersusalem International Oud Festival. Recorded last November at the Jerusalem Theatre, today's provgramme includes highlights from a concert of classical Arabic songs by Palestinian and Arab-Israeli artists, as well as a recital by one of the greatest Oud players of his generation: Taiseer Elias. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
14-May-2012
World Routes - Brazil - Abril Pro Rock Festival
Concluding a season of music recorded on location in Northeast Brazil, Lucy Duran presents an exclusive World Routes residency at the Abril Pro Rock Festival in Recife. Recorded at the APR Club in the old city, the programme includes highlights from sets by the Afro-Brazilian drummers Bongar, big band Orquestra Contemporanea de Olinda, up and coming singer-songwriter Alessandra Leao, and Siba with his group of sugar cane workers The Forest. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
07-May-2012
World Routes - New World Music Releases, Online Archives
Lucy Duran is joined by journalists Jane Cornwell and Robin Denselow to review new World Music releases including Batida - Angolan / Portuguese DJ Mpula's project combining samples from 1970s Angolan tracks with modern electronic dance music, a new Taj Mahal produced album from South African singer Vusi Mahlasela and Flamenco expert Jan Fairley's Beginners Guide to Flamenco. They delve into the archives to find what new gems are now online to listen to as the the Alan Lomax Archive and the British Library have made thousands of recordings available. And they look at the huge catalogue of releases from Real World records, and play some of the defining tracks from the label's 23 year history. British Library World and Traditional Music Archive http://sounds.bl.uk/World-and-traditional-music Alan Lomax Archive http://research.culturalequity.org/.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
30-Apr-2012
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2012: Part 3
World Routes Academy 2012 protégé José Hernando visits Colombia to work with his mentor, celebrated accordionist Egidio Cuadrado. He is also invited to join a session with one of Colombia biggest stars, singer Carlos Vives, and he gets a chance to record one of his own songs in a Bogota studio. With Juan Carlos Jaramillo and Lucy Duran. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire UK based young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. The scheme targets forms of music and musical skills that are under threat to help preserve them. Born in London but of Colombian descent, the talented young José Hernando fell in love with Vallenato, the popular folk style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, which he learned from watching clips online and on tapes his father brought back from Colombia. José Hernando plays in a number of Vallenato and Cumbia folk bands in London and is the musical director of Revolucion Vallenata, a multi-cultural band celebrating the Vallenato tradition. José Hernando is also currently studying for a degree in Guitar at the Tech Music School in West London. For the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy 2012, José is paired with Egidio Cuadrado, the gifted Colombian accordion player, perhaps best known for his work with Carlos Vives, the Grammy-winning Colombian star and one of the most celebrated performers in Latin America.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
23-Apr-2012
World Routes - Salvador da Bahia and the Source of Samba
Lucy Duran's in Bahia, Northeast Brazil, searching for the source of Samba. Samba has become synonymous with Rio de Janeiro, but it was in the sugar plantations of the poor northeast that African slaves first developed this iconic dance form. And in the small towns of Sao Bras and Santo Amaro, Lucy records the famous Brazilian dance form in its most authentic form. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
16-Apr-2012
World Routes - Brazil - Salvador da Bahia
Lucy Duran is in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil to record some of that historic city's finest musicians, including the singer-songwriter Mateus Aleluia, rising stars Baiana System, and Bahia's most famous musical export, the elusive Virginia Rodrigues. Producer James Parkin.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
09-Apr-2012
World Routes - Seun Kuti, Egypt 80
Rita Ray introduces a concert from Edinburgh, given as part of the 2011 Africa Soul Rebels tour and featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun is the son of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and the band contains the musicians who played with his late father. Their Afrobeat sound is a fusion of brass-driven funk and traditional Yoruba rhythms.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Mar-2012
World Routes - 17/03/2012
Explore music from around the world, with presenter Lucy Duran. Mary Ann Kennedy makes a musical tour of Canada's Cape Breton Island, where three distinct cultures are embraced in one community. She visits a session at the celebrated Red Shoe Pub, with music from the island's Celtic tradition of folk fiddling; some of the island's Scots Gaelic speakers sing traditional songs; there is music from the Mi'kmaq aboriginal people; and she joins in a kitchen party with some home-grown music from the island's French Acadians. Featured artists include Glenn Graham, who also talks about Cape Breton's folk history; Chrissy Crowley, one of the young generation of folk fiddlers; singer Mary Jane Lamond, who invites the local Gaelic community to a 'milling frolic', a traditional Scots work-party with music; Beverley and Joel Denny, who sing in the Mi'kmaq village of Eskasoni; and French Acadians Celeste, Weldon and Delores Boudreau - none of whom are related.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Mar-2012
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2012: 1. London Programme
World Routes Academy 2012: this year's protégé, London-born teenage accordionist José Hernando, introduces the Colombian 'vallenato' style, looking back to great performers of the past, and playing a studio session with his own band. Plus highlights from José's first session with his mentor, celebrated accordionist Egidio Cuadrado, recorded in José's bedroom at his home in Acton. Introduced by Lucy Duran. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire UK based young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. The scheme targets forms of music and musical skills that are under threat to help preserve them. Born in London but of Colombian descent, the talented young José Hernando fell in love with Vallenato, the popular folk style from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, which he learned from watching clips online and on tapes his father brought back from Colombia. José Hernando plays in a number of Vallenato and Cumbia folk bands in London and is the musical director of Revolucion Vallenata, a multi-cultural band celebrating the Vallenato tradition. José Hernando is also currently studying for a degree in Guitar at the Tech Music School in West London. For the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy 2012, José is paired with Egidio Cuadrado, the gifted Colombian accordion player, perhaps best known for his work with Carlos Vives, the Grammy-winning Colombian star and one of the most celebrated performers in Latin America.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
27-Feb-2012
World Routes - Rodrigo y Gabriela Session
Lucy Duran with a review of new world music albums, and a studio session with Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Mexican acoustic guitar duo who have just released a collaborative album with C.U.B.A., a band of young musicians from Havana. Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero met while playing in a heavy metal band in Mexico City, then decided to forge their own path as an acoustic duo, drawing influences from flamenco, Latin styles and the blues. They moved to Ireland, starting off playing in Dublin pubs, and through successful albums and tours they became known worldwide - they have sold more than a million albums internationally. Last year they collaborated on the music of the latest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie. Their new album and tour reworks some of their existing pieces together with the band C.U.B.A, with arrangements by the Switzerland-based musician Alex Wilson.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
20-Feb-2012
World Routes - A Night Out in Joliette
A night out in Joliette: Mary Ann Kennedy introduces a session recorded at the Albion bar in a village right at the heart of the Quebec folk music scene. The young traditional band De Temps Antan play a set, then members of the audience get out their own instruments to join the band in an improvised free-for-all.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Feb-2012
World Routes - 18/02/2012
Explore music from around the world, with presenter Lucy Duran
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
13-Feb-2012
World Routes - 12/02/2012
Lucy Duran heads to the mountainous north of Albania to a folk festival in the remote town of Bajram Curri to hear musicians from across northern Albania and neighbouring Kosovo. Surrounded by mountains, and only really accessible by ferry across Lake Koman, or by road via Kosovo, Bajram Curri is a town on the Valbona River, where every year a festival celebrating Albania folk traditions is held in a run down outdoor sports arena. Families and local dignitaries crowd the stadium to hear bands singing songs in praise of Albanian honour and hospitality, as well as epic ballads about the country's past heroes. Having spent its history fighting occupations from the Ottoman Empire, and its Slavic neighbours, in the North of the country where the borders of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia meet, the musical identity is a key part in proclaiming Albania national pride. Lucy meets bands of Albanian musicians from around the Tropoje region, as well as neighbouring Kosovo, and heads up in to the mountains to an isolated village to record some of the old domestic songs of the region, and hear about arranged marriages. She also meets a Maje Krahu singer, a man who has walked 3 hours from his village to meet her and sing in the old style used to communicate the threat of invasion to the remote villages. Produced by Peter Meanwell.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
06-Feb-2012
World Routes - A Tribute to Cesaria Evora
Lucy Duran presents a tribute to the "bare-foot Diva", Cesaria Evora from Cape Verde, who died in December 2011. She was one of world music's biggest and most colourful stars, bringing the soulful "morna" stlye to a world-wide audience. Today's programme includes an exclusive session of Cesaria covers by another Cape Verdean star, Tito Paris. Plus a chance to hear a Cesaria Evora session from the World Routes archive presented by Charlie Gillett. Producer James Parkin. Cesaria Evora was born on 27 August 1941 in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde. Aged 16, she was persuaded by a friend to sing in a sailors' tavern. In the 1960s, she started singing on Portuguese cruise ships stopping at Mindelo as well as on the local radio. It was only in 1985 when at the invitation of Cape Verdean singer Bana she went to perform in Portugal. Evora's international success came only in 1988 with the release of her first album La Diva Aux Pieds Nus recorded in France. Her 1992 album Miss Perfumado sold over 300,000 copies worldwide, and included one of her most celebrated songs, "Sodade". In 2003, her album Voz d'Amor was awarded a Grammy in the World music category. In September 2011, Évora's agent announced she was ending her career due to poor health and on 17 December 2011, aged 70, Évora died in São Vicente, from respiratory failure. Tito Paris was also born in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, and began his professional career in a family of musicians when he was nine. He was around 19 when Bana, once again, invited Tito to join his band, The Voz de Cabo Verde. In Lisbon, it was as a composer that he made a name for himself, writing songs for many singers including Cesaria Evora.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
30-Jan-2012
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2012: World Routes Academy 2012: 1. The Launch Concert
Lucy Duran launches the 2012 World Routes Academy with live performances by oud player Khyam Allami and veena player Hari Sivanesan, as well as the new apprentice and their mentor, who are announced at this special event from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Producer James Parkin. World Routes celebrates the 2012 apprentice and mentor of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy. It will be announced that a UK-based, 19 year old self-taught virtuoso will become the youngest member of the World Routes Academy. His or her mentor is flying in specially from the other side of the world to be at the BBC Radio Theatre. Launched in 2010, the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy aims to support and inspire young world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. The scheme targets forms of music and musical skills that are under threat to help preserve them. Tonight's programme broadcasts highlights of the event held in London two days previously. Oud player Khyam Allami and Veena player Hari Sivanesan took part in the World Routes Academy in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
23-Jan-2012
World Routes - World Routes in Madagascar: Episode 5
Lucy Duran's in Madagascar to record the island's unique traditional music. This week, she's in the sleepy seaside town of Tulear, home of musician, wrestler and magician Mandindry. Plus she takes a small boat to the remote community of Anakao where she meets a group who play mandolins stringed with fishing line, and has to kill a goat in order to visit the grave of renowned local musician Robert Rindy. Producer James Parkin. In January 2010 World Routes broadcast three programmes made on the high central plateau of Madagascar. In January 2012, Lucy Duran and the team continue the journey, moving from the plateau down to the coast in the far south. As with all World Routes on-location programmes, all the music was specially recorded in or near the homes of the musicians. This mysterious island is full of extraordinary animal and plant life - home to more unique species than just about anywhere on the planet. But for us, what makes this island of strange dreams, ancestral worship and sorcery so special is its music. And, like the natural life, its unique evolution - neither African nor Asian - makes it a wonderful melting pot of instruments and styles.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
22-Jan-2012
World Routes - 21/01/2012
For the 2011 World Routes Academy, London born veena player Hari Sivanesan, retraces his family's roots in the Northern Sri Lankan province of Jaffna, and discovers how music is faring now that the civil war is over. Making the tricky journey to Northen Sri Lanka, along the bumpy A9 highway flanked by military checkpoints and gun posts, Lucy Duran and Hari Sivanesan head to the lively town of Jaffna, where Hari lived briefly as a baby before spending the rest of his life in London. They visit a riotous Temple Chariot Festival as the country celebrates New Year, and Hari meets and plays with one of the foremost performers in the Carnatic tradition, violinist Radakrishnan. They watch a performance by a troupe of Vasanthan Koothu dancers, who have not been able to return to their village because of the strict military control over certain High Security Zones, and are now the sole custodians of this rural song and dance tradition. As night draws in, Hari and Lucy meet with a group of women who sing a disappearing lullaby tradition, and who also sing mourning songs. The painful reality is that each of the women has lost a husband or a son in the civil conflict that tore the country apart, and as they talk they perform these heart rending laments bringing Sri Lankas recent past into sharp focus. The World Routes Academy is a BBC Radio 3 initiative which aims to support and inspire young UK based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
16-Jan-2012
World Routes - World Routes in Madagascar: Episode 4
In the first of two programmes Lucy Duran travels to Madagascar to record that island's unique traditional music. Starting high on the central plateau in the musical capital, Fianarantsoa, she then travels to the seaside town of Tulear in the far south. En route, she shops in a magic market, goes Lemur spotting, and passes through the wild boom-town of Ilakaka, famed for its precious stones. All along the way there's specially recorded music from some of the island's best musicians. Producer James Parkin. In January 2010 World Routes broadcast three programmes made on the high central plateau of Madagascar. In January 2012, Lucy Duran and the team continue the journey, moving from the plateau down to the coast in the far south. As with all World Routes on-location programmes, all the music was specially recorded in or near the homes of the musicians. This mysterious island is full of extraordinary animal and plant life - home to more unique species than just about anywhere on the planet. But for us, what makes this island of strange dreams, ancestral worship and sorcery so special is its music. And, like the natural life, its unique evolution - neither African nor Asian - makes it a wonderful melting pot of instruments and styles.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
09-Jan-2012
World Routes - New World Music, Egyptian Music, Georgian Polyphony
Arwa Haider and John L Walters review new albums of world music, Banning Eyre reports from Egypt on music trends following the Arab Spring, and the Sakhioba Ensemble perform choral songs from the rich polyphonic traditions of Georgia. Presented by Lucy Duran. American author and broadcaster Banning Eyre recently spent a month in Egypt, recording music and interviewing performers and producers in Cairo, once the centre of the flourishing Arab music industry. He reports on the new interest in the music of the city's streets, as opposed to the commercially-produced sounds of the studios. The Sakhioba Ensemble is part of a new wave of groups exploring the choral heritage of Georgia. The country's rich and complex polyphony is thought to date from pre-Christian times, and the Sakhioba Ensemble are reviving ancient folk songs as well as the centuries-old repertory of church music.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
02-Jan-2012
World Routes - Bamako, Mali
Lucy Duran heads to Bamako, the capital of Mali in West Africa to explore dance band traditions new and old. Super Biton de Segou, recorded especially for World Routes on stage at the French Institute in Bamako, are one of the great dance bands from the post-independence era. Formed at the time of President Modibo Keita's drive towards Cultural Authenticity, they took the stories and rhythms of the Segou region and formed a distinctive, driving, modern sound. 50 years on they are still going strong, and although they've never performed in the UK, are one of the most loved bands in Mali. At the same time that government sponsored dance bands were being formed, other musicians were setting up their own brand of modern Malian music, inspired by the Apollo space missions, they became known as the Apollo bands. Today, there are few still performing, but the Freres Dambele are continuing a family tradition, and performing Apollo music in bars and clubs across Bamako. World Routes caught up with them in a dusty courtyard in a suburb of the capital for an exclusive session.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
26-Dec-2011
World Routes - Jerusalem International Oud Festival 2011
Moshe Morad introduces recordings made exclusively for World Routes at the 2011 Jerusalem International Oud Festival which took place in November. In today's programme there's a tribute to the so-called Queen of the Greek Blues, Rosa Eskenazi with musicians from Greece, Turkey and Israel. Plus the Petrakis-Lopez-Chemirani Trio, virtuosi musicians from Crete, Spain and Iran. Producer James Parkin. In its 12th year, the Jerusalem International Oud Festival brings musicians and audiences from across the region together. Jews, Arabs, and groups from all denominations perform side by side. Today's programme presents an opportunity to discover the music of Rosa Eskanzi, a colourful character who was born to a Ladino Jewish family in Istanbul at the end of the 19th century. Her adult life and career was spent in Greece where she was shunned by the conservative Jewish community of Thessaloniki, and went on to become the leading exponent of Rebetiko or the Greek Blues as its known. Famed also for rescuing Greek Jews during World War 2, she ended her life suffering from dementia and was buried in an unmarked grave. The Greek, Turkish and Jewish-Ladino roots of her music were represented at this tribute concert by female singers from each tradition. In 2012, World Routes will feature more highlights from the festival including, amongst other things, the Kurdish singer Aynur from Turkey, Palestinian folk music from the West Bank, Classic Arab songs performed by an Egyptian-style orchestra from the Galilee, and one of the finest oud players in the world today, Taiseer Elias.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Dec-2011
World Routes - World Routes in Canada: 2. Cape Breton Island
Mary Ann Kennedy makes a musical tour of Canada's Cape Breton Island, where three distinct cultures are embraced in one community. She visits a session at the celebrated Red Shoe Pub, with music from the island's Celtic tradition of folk fiddling; some of the island's Scots Gaelic speakers sing traditional songs; there is music from the Mi'kmaq aboriginal people; and she joins in a kitchen party with some home-grown music from the island's French Acadians. Featured artists include Glenn Graham, who also talks about Cape Breton's folk history; Chrissy Crowley, one of the young generation of folk fiddlers; singer Mary Jane Lamond, who invites the local Gaelic community to a 'milling frolic', a traditional Scots work-party with music; Beverley and Joel Denny, who sing in the Mi'kmaq village of Eskasoni; and French Acadians Celeste, Weldon and Delores Boudreau - none of whom are related. This is the second of two programmes from Quebec and Cape Breton, the first time World Routes has visited Canada.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Dec-2011
World Routes - World Routes in Canada: 1. A visit to the Chants de Vielles Festival in Quebec
Mary Ann Kennedy explores the rich folk traditions of Quebec at the annual Chants de Vielles Festival in the tiny village of Calixa La Vallée. Its main stage, set up in a barn, hosts a performance by star a cappella group Les Charbonniers d'Enfer; Les Chauffeurs a Pied play for a barn dance; and trio Serre l'Ecoute lead the audience in some rousing anti-English songs from the eighteenth century. This is the first of two programmes from Quebec and Cape Breton, the first time World Routes has visited Canada. The Chants de Vielles Festival takes place in the local village showground, and one of the tasks of festvial volunteers is to clear the main barn of 'dirt' to prepare for the concerts. Local people house the artists, put up the marquees and feed the festival-goers, but it's also an international event which attracts performers and audience from Europe as well as across North America. It's a festival where top performers mingle freely with amateurs, and there are improvised music sessions starting up throughout the day, and well into the night.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
05-Dec-2011
World Routes - WOMEX 2011: Episode 2
More highlights from WOMEX, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place this year in Copenhagen. WOMEX showcases the newest bands and the freshest talent in world music, and Lopa Kothari introduces specially-recorded performances by the Mairtin O'Connor Band from Ireland, the flamboyant Orquesta Tipica Fernandez Fierro from Argentina, and the Pakistani Qawaali party led by Asif Ali Khan. Plus a session by the master Iranian percussionist Mohammad Reza Mortazavi. Producer James Parkin. Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, Seamie O'Dowd & Jim Higgins have been the Mairtin O'Connor Band since 2001. Individually recognised figureheads of the Irish tradition, they have built solid reputations as master musicians with astounding skill, diversity and virtuosity. Mairtin was one of the main musical forces behind the now legendary Riverdance phenomenon. Orquesta Tipica Fernandez Fierro is a revolutionary force on the Argentinian tango scene. The formation is the typical four bandoneons, three violins, viola, violoncello, double-bass, piano and a singer but the sound they make is aggressively modern, taking inspiration from the great tango orchestras of the past and infusing it with a rock attitude. When at home in Buenos Aires, they perform every Wednesday at their own venue, Club Atletico Fernandez Fierro. Praised by the great qawaali singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, as one of his finest students, Asif Ali Khan from Pakistan, has established himself as a worthy bearer of the late maestro's torch.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
28-Nov-2011
World Routes - The Jean Jenkins Archive
Lucy Duran heads to the National Museum of Scotland to explore the archive of pioneering ethnomusicologist Jean Jenkins. Curated by the Keeper of World Cultures Henrietta Lidchi, the NMS has recently opened its Jean Jenkins collection to the public, incorporating her musical instrument collection, diaries, hundreds of field recordings and radio archive. Producer Peter Meanwell. Jenkins travelled widely throughout Africa and Central Asia between the 1950s and 1980s creating exceptional recordings, and taking detailed notes. She was a key figure in laying the ground for the contemporary world music scene, and as well as a fascinating insight into traditional music from around the world, her archives reveal a larger than life woman, who fled McCarthy, was friends with Haile Selassie and who was meticulous, packing silk handkerchiefs and girdles whenever she travelled.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-Nov-2011
World Routes - 19/11/2011
Broadcaster, writer and musician Banning Eyre embarks on his own Appalachian roadtrip to discover and record the uniquely American folk music that was born in the southern Appalachian mountains through the 18th and 19th Centuries. He visits the small town of Mount Airy, in Surry County, North Carolina, home to the Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention, where he meets the extraordinary players and singers that are keeping this music alive, and finds out how Old Time music is the direct precursor of what we now call Country and Bluegrass. In an interview with musician and field recordist Mike Seeger, recorded just a few months before he died, Banning discovers the roots of the music in the parallel histories of the European settlers and African slaves, and how post-Emancipation a distinctly American music was forged from the interplay of the African banjo and the European fiddle. Surry County musician Paul Brown explains the record companies' part in defining Old Time music as a predominantly white occupation, and what's so speacial about this part of the country. He visits local radio station WPAQ to hear how they are keeping this traditional rural music alive, and tries the festival delicacy that is deep-fried Oreos. Producer: Peter Meanwell
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-Nov-2011
World Routes - London Jazz Festival 2011
London Jazz Festival 2011: Lucy Duran introduces a concert from the Purcell Room on London's South Bank given by Iranian kamancheh virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor. Kayhan Kalhor is one of Iran's foremost classical musicians. He was born in Teheran in 1963, and studied the kamanche, a Persian bowed string instrument, from an early age. By the time he was thirteen he was performing with the National Orchestra of Radio and Television of Iran, and he later travelled to Italy and Canada to study western classical music. Now settled in the USA, he has performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kronos Quartet, and given solo concerts across the globe. For this concert he is joined by celebrated percussion artist Madjid Khaladj, with accompanying musicians Hossein Alishapoor and Ali Bahramifard.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
14-Nov-2011
World Routes - WOMEX 2011: 1. WOMEX 2011
Highlights from WOMEX, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place this year in Copenhagen. WOMEX showcases the newest bands and the freshest talent in world music, and Lopa Kothari introduces performances by Mars Melto and the Melanesian Allstars, Mexican accordion virtuoso Celso Piña, and multi-national klezmer band The Other Europeans. Mars Melto and the Melanesian Allstars is led by Vanuatu musician Marcel Meltherorong, who draws inspriation from reggae as well as Melanesian traditions, with a band featuring players from across the region. Celso Piña is a veteran of some eighteen albums, with a style rooted in cumbia, but bringing in influences from ska and rap. The Other Europeans was founded by American accordionist and pianist Alan Bern, best known for his work with Brave Old World. He teamed up with Hungarian cimbalom player Kalman Balogh to create a band which has set out to "uncover the traces of the lost world of the shared musical culture of the Jews and Roma, who lived, intermarried and played music together in pre-WWII Bessarabia.".
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
07-Nov-2011
World Routes - World Routes in Albania: 2. Iso-Polyphony in Southern Albania
Continuing her journey around Albania, Lucy Duran heads south to hear the unique Albanian Iso-Polyphony. She drinks raki and eats spring-onions with a group of singers in the ancient city of Gjirokaster, explores the concrete bunkers left by the regime of Enver Hoxha, and hears how the old songs of emigration are as relevant today as they were in Ottoman times.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
31-Oct-2011
World Routes - World Routes in Albania: 1. Albanian Urban Music
Heading off in the footsteps of folklorist AL Lloyd, Lucy Duran visits Albania to record the little known urban music of a country that was closed to the outside world for almost 50 years. Lucy attends a garden party in the capital Tirana, where some of the city's best musicians get together over a glass of the local tipple, raki. She visits the Skanderberg castle in the town of Kruja, where the long standing vocal ensemble The Old Men of Kruja reflect on how life has changed since the fall of communism. Back in Tirana at a bar in the Bloku area, once home to the Party oligarchs but now the party capital of the city, she meets the Folk-Hip Hop group Westside Family, who are bringing traditional music up to date. Finally she heads to the town of Korca in the South of the country to attend a rehearsal of Grupi Lira, a choir that sings the patriotic serenades that are the trademark sound of the most cultured city in Albania.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Oct-2011
World Routes - Carlos Orozco Session
Lucy Duran introduces a session by the Venezuelan harp virtuoso Carlos Orozco. On a rare UK visit, he performs the lively "joropo" dance music found in the vast central plains of Venezuela. He is joined by a 3-piece band which includes his son Caryas, a leading exponent of the Venezuelan maracas. Producer James Parkin. Carlos Orozco and his band are in London for Viva Venezuela, a major celebration of dance at London's Palladium, in aid of the British Red Cross. Joropo is one of the dance forms that will feature, and, it is performing the music that accompanies this dance that has made Carlos Orozco his name. Joropo is from the Arabic, xärop, a sweet liquid. In modern joropo the dancers mark the rhythm stamping on the floor. The man hits the floor with the full force of his whole foot, whilst the woman responds in silence, shuffling her feet in a series of intricately sweeping, high speed patterns. The man and woman never lose touch with each other. The joyful music that Carlos and his band of virtuosic musicians play is fast, infectious, and above all, uplifting.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
16-Oct-2011
World Routes - 15/10/2011
Explore music from around the world, with presenter Lucy Duran
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
10-Oct-2011
World Routes - 09/10/2011
Lucy Duran meets 'Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares', the choir of Bulgarian women who for the past three decades have brought the complexities and subtleties of traditional Bulgarian polyphonic singing to a world audience. Plus a review of new world music tracks. 'Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares' started out life as the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. In 1975 the Swiss musicologist Marcel Cellier released a compilation of their recordings with the title 'Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares', which was later picked up by the English band Bauhaus and rereleased to great acclaim. The choir won a Grammy in 1990, and have performed across the globe. Their style is influenced by Bulgarian folk singing and also by the area's Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, with modal scales, dissonant hamonies and the use of glissando. Their music has been described as ""the marriage of the avant-garde and the Middle Ages", and also as "somewhere between the Muslim call to prayer and the Beach Boys.".
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Oct-2011
World Routes - 02/10/2011
Lucy Duran presents Sufi music from around the world recorded at the recent Transcender Festival at the Barbican in London. "The Ecstatic Journey: Music from around the Sufi world" was one evening gathering together classical traditions, ascetic mediations and exultant celebrations into a single, kaleidoscopic concert showcasing the Sufi songs of Morocco, Pakistan, India and Indonesia. Features music from Pakistani minstrel Sain Zahoor.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
26-Sep-2011
World Routes - Edinburgh International Festival
Lucy Duran heads to the Edinburgh International Festival to meet musicians from around the world who have gathered in Scotland as the festival celebrates the vibrant and diverse cultures of Asia. Includes music from sarod player Amjad Ali Khan in concert, an interview with Vietnamese choreographer Ea Sola, and the sound of the Sindhi Sarangi played by Rajasthani master, Lakha Khan.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Sep-2011
World Routes - Sri Lanka
Having visited the North of Sri Lanka earlier this year for the World Routes Academy, Lucy Duran continues her journey around the island to explore its diverse musical cultures. Sinhala is the most widely spoken language in Sri Lanka, and Sinhalese music focuses on drumming and dancing. In the city of Kandy, capital of the ancient Sinhalese empire, Lucy witnesses the weekly ritual of the washing of the Tooth of the Buddha. The tooth is enshrined in seven bejewelled golden caskets, and kept within the inner sanctum of the Sri Dalada Maligawa temple where each week the caskets are washed and the perfumed water handed out to the faithful. At the other end of the spectrum, she meets an astrologer and his two sons, who perform all night Low Country healing rituals, based on Sri Lankan Buddhist horoscopes and accompanied by a haunting style of singing and virtuosic drumming. On the East coast of Sri Lanka in the city of Batticaloa the Burgher community have preserved the music dancing and language of the Portuguese settlers of the 16th century. Descended from these early Portuguese settlers, the Burghers are a small community who still speak a Portuguese Creole and in the company of Sonny Ockersz Lucy attends a party at the Burgher Union Hall, to hear their unique wedding music and learn how the community have picked up the pieces after the devastating tsunami of 2004. Batticaloa is also famous for its singing fish. A documented phenomenon, legend has it that if you head out into the middle of the lagoon at midnight on a full moon you can hear the fish sing, if you're happy to brave the alligators and a tipsy boatman that is. Back on the West coast of Sri Lanka there exists a community smaller than the Burghers, but who also trace their roots back to the 16th century. Proudly calling themselves Kaffirs, this group of musicians from Sirambiadiya are descended from African slaves brought to Sri Lanka from Mozambique by the Portuguese, as soldiers to fight against the Sinhalese Kings. With a population dwindling, the Kaffir Manja group still play the music of their ancestors, and transport a little bit of East Africa to the Indian Ocean. Lucy ends her journey round the island with a Sri Lankan national obsession. At cricket matches throughout the recent Cricket World Cup, the sound of the Pappare bands could be heard egging on supporters and players. With their cross-cultural repertoire of Tamil, Sinhala and Hindi popular songs and film hits the Kuja Pappara band are one of the best in town, and recording their session they get the whole neighbourhood dancing! Presented by Lucy Duran Produced by Peter Meanwell.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Sep-2011
World Routes - 17/09/2011
Explore music from around the world, with presenter Lucy Duran
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
18-Sep-2011
World Routes - 17/09/2011
As part of the 2011 World Routes Academy, British born veena player Hari Sivanesan travels around Tamil Nadu in South India, to learn more about the classical music of South India that he has grown up playing. Together with his mentor, acclaimed South Indian vocalist Aruna Sairam, and presenter Lucy Duran, they embark on a journey of musical and emotional discovery. Around the ancient city of Thanjavur, known as the land of temples, they visit the the shrine of Saint Thyagaraja, the venerated South Indian composer, and perform an intimate session in the confines of the shrine. They attend a Sampradaya Bhajan session of devotional singing by a Brahmin community in Aruna Sairam's ancestral village, and eat a traditional South Indian meal from a banana leaf on the floor. They discover folk music from the other end of the social scale at a village temple deep in the countryside, performed by a troupe of folk drummers and dancers, and Hari makes a pilgrimage to the world's only temple devoted to the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts, Saraswati, to pay tribute to his late teacher, Smt Kalpakkam Swaminathan. The World Routes Academy is a BBC Radio 3 initiative which aims to support and inspire young UK based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition. PLAYLIST: title: Nattai Ragam (extract) artist: Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan title: Ksheera Saagara Vihaa artist: Aruna Sairam BBC Location Recording Thyagaraja Samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu title: Samaja Vara Gamana artist: Aruna Sairam performers: Aruna Sairam (voice) Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan (veena) BBC Location Recording Thyagaraja Samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu title: Sampradaya Bhajan (excerpt) artist: Bhajana Madam Ashram Group performers: Ananda Rao (voice, harmonium) Srinivasan (voice) Hopal (kanjbbra) Sudarsan (voice) Vijayan (mridangam) Sriraman (clarinet)) BBC Location Recording Bhajana Madam Ashram, Sirugamani, Tamil Nadu title: Sampradaya Bhajan (excerpt) artist: Bhajana Madam Ashram Group performers: Ananda Rao (voice, harmonium) Srinivasan (voice) Hopal (kanjbbra) Sudarsan (voice) Vijayan (mridangam) Sriraman (clarinet)) BBC Location Recording Bhajana Madam Ashram, Sirugamani, Tamil Nadu title: Vedic recitation artist: Monks of Sirugamani BBC Location Recording Sirugamani, Tamil Nadu title: Karagam artist: Ae Gowri Amman Temple Group performers: Inbaraj (nadaswaram) Murugesan (nadaswaram) Rajendran (tavil) Chellia (tavil) Pandi (urumi) BBC Location Recording Ae Gowri Amman Temple, Vallam, Tamil Nadu title: Themmangu artist: Ae Gowri Amman Temple Group performers: Ms Gunavathi (voice) Inbaraj (nadaswaram) Murugesan (nadaswaram) Rajendran (tavil) Chellia (tavil) Pandi (urumi) BBC Location Recording Ae Gowri Amman Temple, Vallam, Tamil Nadu title: Sri Maha Ganapathim artist: Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan BBC Location Recording Saraswati Temple, Koothanor, Tamil Nadu
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
11-Sep-2011
World Routes - Oumou Sangare Session, South Sudan Report
Lucy Duran is joined in the World Routes studio by the vocalist Oumou Sangare. Accompanied by her 8-piece band, she performs songs from her recent album Seya, as well as a new track, and a traditional song from her home country Mali. Journalist Robin Denselow reports on the music of South Sudan. This new country officially declared its independence on 9 July this year after years of civil war with Sudan. The report includes music from Emmanuel Kembe, who has returned to the country recently after years of exile which saw him walk all the way to Ethiopia. There's also a chance to hear cattle song from soldier Bol Deng, music played on the adungu (a women-only instrument), and songs celebrating independence from blind singer-songwriter Gordon Koang, who built his own instrument purely by touch.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-Aug-2011
World Routes - 20/08/2011
Lucy Duran travels to rural North East Brazil, going in search of traditional Forro, a style of country music much-loved there but little-known outside. And, travelling deeper inland towards the Sertao - Brazil's wild semi-desert area - she has a chance encounter with some singing cowboys. Playlist: Luiz Gonzaga — Danado de Bom Brazilian Classics 3, Luaka Bop 7599-26323-2 Luiz Gonzaga — A Feira de Caruaru Brazilian Classics 3, Luaka Bop 7599-26323-2 Herbert Lucena — Balanca Boeiro Performers: Azulao with his musicians Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Azulão — Dona Teresa Performers: Azulao with his musicians Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Azulão — Dor de Cotovelo Performers: Azulao with his musicians Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Waldir Silva — Nesse coco eu mao brinco mais Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Waldir Silva — Improvisation for Paulo Andre Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Waldir Silva — Casa de Maroca Recorded by the BBC in Caruaru, Pernambuco on 8th September 2008 Maciel Melo — Brasil Pernambuco Volume 1 of Musica de Pernambuco: Forro Coco Raizes — Balanco da canoa Recorded by the BBC in Arcoverde on 7th September 2008 Coco Raizes — Abelha Recorded by the BBC in Arcoverde on 7th September 2008 Unknown cowboys — Improvisation about the World Routes team Recorded by the BBC in the Sertao of Pernambuco on 7th September 2008
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
07-Aug-2011
World Routes - WOMAD 2011 - Fatoumata Diawara, Savoy Cajun Family Band
Lucy Duran presents more highlights from this year's WOMAD festival. Including music from rising star, Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara and some earthy footstomping from Lousiana Cajun royalty, the Savoy Cajun Family Band.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Jul-2011
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2011: The Music of South India: 5. Hari Sivanesan in Jaffna
For the 2011 World Routes Academy, London born veena player Hari Sivanesan, retraces his family's roots in the Northern Sri Lankan province of Jaffna, and discovers how music is faring now that the civil war is over. Making the tricky journey to Northen Sri Lanka, along the bumpy A9 highway flanked by military checkpoints and gun posts, Lucy Duran and Hari Sivanesan head to the lively town of Jaffna, where Hari lived briefly as a baby before spending the rest of his life in London. They visit a riotous Temple Chariot Festival as the country celebrates New Year, and Hari meets and plays with one of the foremost performers in the Carnatic tradition, violinist Radakrishnan. They watch a performance by a troupe of Vasanthan Koothu dancers, who have not been able to return to their village because of the strict military control over certain High Security Zones, and are now the sole custodians of this rural song and dance tradition. As night draws in, Hari and Lucy meet with a group of women who sing a disappearing lullaby tradition, and who also sing mourning songs. The painful reality is that each of the women has lost a husband or a son in the civil conflict that tore the country apart, and as they talk they perform these heart rending laments bringing Sri Lankas recent past into sharp focus. The World Routes Academy is a BBC Radio 3 initiative which aims to support and inspire young UK based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Jul-2011
World Routes - 16/07/2011
Explore music from around the world, with presenter Lucy Duran
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Jul-2011
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2011: The Music of South India: 4. Hari Sivanesan in Tamil Nadu
As part of the 2011 World Routes Academy, British born veena player Hari Sivanesan travels around Tamil Nadu in South India, to learn more about the classical music of South India that he has grown up playing. Together with his mentor, acclaimed South Indian vocalist Aruna Sairam, and presenter Lucy Duran, they embark on a journey of musical and emotional discovery. Around the ancient city of Thanjavur, known as the land of temples, they visit the the shrine of Saint Thyagaraja, the venerated South Indian composer, and perform an intimate session in the confines of the shrine. They attend a Sampradaya Bhajan session of devotional singing by a Brahmin community in Aruna Sairam's ancestral village, and eat a traditional South Indian meal from a banana leaf on the floor. They discover folk music from the other end of the social scale at a village temple deep in the countryside, performed by a troupe of folk drummers and dancers, and Hari makes a pilgrimage to the world's only temple devoted to the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts, Saraswati, to pay tribute to his late teacher, Smt Kalpakkam Swaminathan. The World Routes Academy is a BBC Radio 3 initiative which aims to support and inspire young UK based world music artists by bringing them together with an internationally renowned artist in the same field and belonging to the same tradition.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
10-Jul-2011
World Routes - Sayan Ring Festival
Andy Kershaw visits the Sayan Ring Festival in Shushenskoe in deepest Siberia. Modelled on the UK's WOMAD Festival, it draws artists and audiences from across the Russian Federation and beyond. Andy meets some of the headline acts, including local boys Huun Huur Tu from nearby Tuva, Daler Nazarov from Tajikistan, and veteran German world music band Dissidenten, and he gets a masterclass in throat singing. The Sayan Ring Festival, located in Siberia's Sayan Ring mountains, is now in its seventh year. Shushenskoe was a major tourist town during the Soviet era, as one of Lenin's places of exile - and as interest in Lenin declined in the post-Soviet years, the town turned to music and culture to fill its monolithic hotel. Huun Huur Tu is the area's best-known band, having taken their Tuvan throat-singing style all over the world. Daler Nazarov started out as a rock musician, spent years as a successul film music composer, and has now returned to touring with a band, this time with music strongly based on Tajik traditions. Berlin-based band Dissidenten have been called the 'grandfathers of world beat', and had great success in the 1990s with songs such as 'Fata Morgana'. Andy's throat-singing lesson comes from Albert Kuvezin, one of the pioneers of the popularisation of Tuvan music through his work with Huun Huur Tu and Yat Kha. The programme was recorded at last summer's 2010 Sayan Ring Festival.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Jul-2011
World Routes - Mor Karbasi, New Music Releases
Lucy Duran welcomes to the studio the singer Mor Karbasi. Born in Jerusalem, but now living in the UK, Mor Karbasi sings Sephardic Jewish traditional songs, as well as performing her own material, informed by her Jewish, Moroccan and Persian roots. She has recently released her second album 'La Hija de la Primevera' ('Daughter of the Spring'). Lucy is also joined in the studio by the writers David Hutcheon and Jane Cornwell, to review some of the latest world music CD releases. These include Sï¿œndï¿œrgő: a family of tambura players from Hungary, and Fatoumata Diawara, a former actress who ran away from her home in Mali to pursue her musical career. Producer: Sam Hickling.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Jun-2011
World Routes - 18/06/2011
Lucy Duran visits Cape Verde, the windswept and dramatic archipelago off the west coast of Africa. She explores the arrival of slaves in the 15th century and the subsequent departure of generations of Cape Verdeans searching for a better life in America and Europe. With rare and specially-made music recordings, including the morna style made famous by Cesaria Evora, which longs for life back on the islands. Presented by Lucy Duran Produced by James Parkin
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Jun-2011
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2011: The Music of South India: Part 3
World Routes Academy mentee Hari Sivanesan takes Lucy Duran on a trip around London to discover how the Tamil Sri Lankan diaspora keeps their culture and language alive in the UK. With visits to the Sivan Kovil Temple in Lewisham, one of London's vibrant Tamil Hindu temples and home to a Tamil Language School, they also take a walk down East Ham high street to try and find the best South Indian lunch in town. World Routes Academy mentee veena player Hari Sivanesan is also joined in concert by North Indian sarod player Soumik Datta for a one-off collaboration at the Bhavan Centre, Hari's former school in West Kensington, London.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
05-Jun-2011
World Routes - Brighton Festival 2011: Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Max Romeo.
Lucy Duran introduces World Routes in concert at the Brighton Festival, featuring dub reggae pioneers Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Max Romeo, together with UK producer Adrian Sherwood. Veteran, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Lee 'Scratch' Perry has become a legend of Jamaican reggae, and is acclaimed as a pioneer of dub. He is now well into his 70s, but with no thoughts of retiring - he has just completed a new album 'Rise Again'. Here he teams up with Max Romeo, whose most successful album, 'War in a Babylon', Perry produced in 1976. Adrian Sherwood has worked as producer with a wide range of successful artists, but he is best known for his work with dub music - he has worked regularly with Lee Perry since the 1980s.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
29-May-2011
World Routes - Fode Lassana Diabate
Lucy Duran presents a session with Mali's most gifted balafon player and Afrocubism band member Fode Lassana Diabaté. Born in Guinea into a family of virtuoso balafon players, Lassana Diabaté moved as a young man to Bamako in the early 1990s. He plays the 22-key xylophone of the Mandé griots, and has appeared on albums by Salif Keita, Bassekou Kouyate, and Kasse Mady Diabaté, among others, and has been a long-standing member of Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra. Lucy is also joined by writers Sue Steward and John L Walters to discuss new World Music releases and look at what's on offer at this summer's festivals.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
22-May-2011
World Routes - 21/05/2011
Lucy Duran visits the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar to discover its remarkable music. She is joined by guides Justin Vali and Paddy Bush and hears the ancient music of Madagascar's royal court as well as the extraordinary and rarely-recorded Hira Gasy. Hundreds of villagers gather to hear a variety performance which spreads news, entertains and teaches people a lesson. Presented by Lucy Duran Produced by James Parkin Music items: Rakotozafy: Tromba Tune Justin Vali & Paddy Bush BBC Recording made at the Hotel Victory, Tulear, 14th September 2009 Trad: Ariva Mody Masaondrao Malagasy Orkestra BBC Recording made at the Le Paille en queue Hotel, Tulear 10th September 2009 Trad: Afindrafindrao Justin Vali and Ensemble BBC Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009 Trad: Mahagaga Justin Vali and Ensemble BBC Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009 Trad: Miangaly Justin Vali and Ensemble BBC Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009 Trad: Blue Sky Justin Vali and Ensemble BBC Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009 Trad: Izahay sy Malala Justin Vali and Ensemble BBC Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009 Ambohimandrosao: Don’t criticize others; look at your own life first Tarika Rasoasimanga Berthine Ambohimandrosao BBC Recording made just outside Antananarivo on Friday 4th September 2009 Trad: Ory kintana anakitelo (The 3 Stars) Rakotofra Junior Ensemble Recorded by the BBC outside Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday 4th September 2009
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
22-May-2011
World Routes - Darbar Festival 2011: Episode 2
Lopa Kothari and Jameela Siddiqi present highlights from the Darbar Festival of Indian classical music, held last month at Kings Place in London. Featuring a recital by the veteran singer Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, and the extraordinary sound of the classical Carnatic saxophone, as adapted and played by Kadri Gopalnath. This is the second of a pair of programmes from this year's Darbar Festival. The Darbar Festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe: artists from both North and South Indian musical traditions were presented in fourteen concerts over the Easter weekend - a special feature of Darbar is that the concerts are held across the day from morning until night, allowing for the different ragas to be heard in their true time context. Lopa Kothari and Jameela Siddiqi will be bringing their own expertise and insights to these programmes, as well as talking to the performers themselves.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
15-May-2011
World Routes - Darbar Festival 2011: 1. Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Alam Khan
Lopa Kothari and Jameela Siddiqi present highlights from the Darbar Festival of Indian classical music, held last month at Kings Place in London. Featuring a morning raga from the powerful voice of Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, and a sarod recital from Alam Khan, who as the son of Indian legend Ali Akbar Khan, has to balance his 500-year heritage with an upbringing in contemporary California. This is the first of a pair of programmes from this year's Darbar Festival. The Darbar Festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe: artists from both North and South Indian musical traditions were presented in fourteen concerts over the Easter weekend - a special feature of Darbar is that the concerts are held across the day from morning until night, allowing for the different ragas to be heard in their true time context. Lopa Kothari and Jameela Siddiqi will be bringing their own expertise and insights to these programmes, as well as talking to the performers themselves.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
08-May-2011
World Routes - Seun Kuti, Egypt 80
Rita Ray introduces a concert given last month in Edinburgh, as part of the 2011 Africa Soul Rebels tour, featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun is the son of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and the band contains the musicians who played with his late father. Their Afrobeat sound is a fusion of brass-driven funk and traditional Yoruba rhythms.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
01-May-2011
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2011: The Music of South India: 2. Chennai
This year's World Routes Academy protégé Hari Sivanesan travels to the Indian city of Chennai for his first meeting with his mentor, the singer Aruna Sairam. He explores the roots of South Indian music at a temple festival, and talks to fellow veena player Rajesh Vaidya, who draws inspiration in his playing from Michael Jackson. He also looks at the contemporary music scene in Chennai with a visit to the city's own Radio One, and meets star film playback singer Srinivas.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Apr-2011
World Routes - Gnawa and World Music Festival 2009: Episode 2
Lucy Duran presents highlights from the 2009 Gnawa and World Music Festival in Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast, an annual free festival which celebrates the ancient tradition of trance music. With performances by Braim El Belkani, a gnawa master who once played with Led Zeppelin, and Morocco's most celebrated band, the veterans Nass El Ghiwane. Essaouira is an old stone town that is home to an even older style of music which arrived in Morocco centuries ago with the slaves who came from across the Sahara. It is a sacred music which is traditionally heard at all-night 'lilas', where animal sacrifices are made and people are healed from spiritual and physical ailments. The sound of the music is characterised by the bass thump of the three-stringed gimbri and the strident clatter of metal castanets. The Gnawa and World Music Festival was established 12 years ago to celebrate the gnawa tradition, with concerts featuring gnawa masters from all over Morocco, together with events where gnawa musicians collaborate with artists from across the globe. WORLD ROUTES Presented by Lucy Duran Produced by Roger Short Tel. 020 7765 4661 Fax. 020 7765 5052 e-mail world.routes@bbc.co.uk Saturday 5th September 2009 El Belkani: Baba l'Rouami Maalem Brahim El Belkani BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Maalem Brahim El Belkani at the Essaouira World Music Festival El Belkani: Tramin Maalem Brahim El Belkani BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Andre Azoulay at the Essaouira World Music Festival Lala Fatima Blue Mogador BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Asdin and Marwan, members of Blue Mogador Dimi Maak Blue Mogador BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Omar Essayed: Fin Radi biya Khouya fin radi biya (where are you going to take me my brother) Nass El Ghiwane BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Omar Essayed from Nass El Ghiwane Omar Essayed: Annahla Chama (the Queen Bee Chama) Nass El Ghiwane BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Essaouira is an old stone town that is home to an even older style of music which arrived in Morocco centuries ago with the slaves who came from across the Sahara. It's a sacred music which is traditionally heard at all-night 'lilas', where animal sacrifices are made, people are healed from spiritual and physical ailments, and, it is said, a good time is had by all. The sound of the music is characterised by the bass thump of the three-stringed 'gimbri' and the strident clatter of metal castanets. The Gnawa and World Music Festival was established twelve years ago to celebrate the gnawa tradition, with concerts featuring gnawa masters from all over Morocco, together with events where gnawa musicians collaborate with artists from across the globe.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Apr-2011
World Routes - 16/04/2011
Banning Eyre heads into North East Argentina with Chamame accordionist Chango Spasiuk, to see the red earth and hear this unique accordion driven music. Misiones province in North East Argentina is a sliver of land between Brazil and Paraguay, more tropical than the rest of Argentina, it is part of the ancestral home of the Guarani people. Home to a large number of Jesuit missions in the 17th Century, during the early part of the 20th Century Misiones received an influx of European immigrants to work on the land, especially from Poland and the Ukraine. These East European farmers brought with them the accordion, which added Schottische and Polkas to an already rich cultural mix and the Chamame was born. Banning Eyre takes internationally renowned chamame accordionist Chango Spasiuk back to his roots in Misiones, to hear about how he learnt the accordion, and to meet and record local musicians. Sergio Tarnovsky is a young local talent from Apostoles who plays the 21 button diatonic accordion known as the verdulera. Lalo Doreto hails from the town of Obera, and is a local radio host, singer, and guitarist, and he puts on a special afternoon session with some friends in his back yard. As well as being the home of Chamame, Misiones is also the home of "yerba mate", the bitter green tea drunk with a metal straw from a hollowed out gourd by almost everyone in Argentina. Chango shows Banning the right, and the wrong way to make and drink it. On the way back from the North East they stop in at the Anconetani accordion factory in Buenos Aires, the first Argentine handmade accordion company, to meet its octogenarian patron Nazereno Anconetani, for a tour of the workshops and a session with one of Chamame's elder statesmen, accordionist Tilo Escobar. Presenter: Banning Eyre Producer: Peter Meanwell.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Apr-2011
World Routes - Gnawa and World Music Festival 2009
Lucy Duran joins 400,000 Moroccans at the 2009 Gnawa and World Music Festival in Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast, an annual free festival which celebrates their ancient tradition of trance music which is thought to have the power of spiritual healing. With music by Berber singer Braim Assli and an improvised collaborative concert by New Orleans jazzband Congo Nation and local musicians Agadir Gnawa. Essaouira is an old stone town that is home to an even older style of music which arrived in Morocco centuries ago with the slaves who came from across the Sahara. It's a sacred music which is traditionally heard at all-night 'lilas', where animal sacrifices are made, people are healed from spiritual and physical ailments, and, it is said, a good time is had by all. The sound of the music is characterised by the bass thump of the three-stringed 'gimbri' and the strident clatter of metal castanets. The Gnawa and World Music Festival was established twelve years ago to celebrate the gnawa tradition, with concerts featuring gnawa masters from all over Morocco, together with events where gnawa musicians collaborate with artists from across the globe. Playlist Raouf Bekkari: Baniya Agadir Gnawa BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Neila Tazi, Director of Essaouira World Music Festival Assli: Yan gir Isagsan Assli: Awdi Ayahbibawa Assli: Ghar sigl Maghtssat Rais Braim Assli & Ensemble BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Braim Assli Assli: Irbi Ayasyakh Assli: Wim nga Wink Rais Braim Assli & Ensemble BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Interview with Donald Harrison Improvised piece Congo Nation & Agadir Gnawa BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009 Improvised piece Congo Nation & Agadir Gnawa BBC Recording by Marvin Ware, at the Essaouira World Music Festival 2009
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
10-Apr-2011
World Routes - Raf Vilar, CD Review
Lucy Duran is joined in the studio by the Brazilian singer Raf Vilar, performing with his band. Raf's debut album Studies in Bossa consists of the songs he has been writing since his early teens, and draws on the influences he absorbed growing up in Rio de Janeiro, particularly the 1960s bossa nova of Tom Jobim. He now lives in London's East End, where he has assembled an international group of musicians to realise these intricate recordings in a live setting. Raf talks to Lucy about his inspirations, and also performs a solo version of one of his favourite Jobim songs. Lucy is also joined by the musician and broadcaster Monica Vasconcelos, and the writer David Hutcheon, to review some of the latest recordings of World Music. Under consideration are Portuguese fado singer Mariza, Italian superstar Vinicio Capossela, and Brazilian vocalist Mariana Aydar, as well as a new compilation of 'African Guitar Legends'.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Apr-2011
World Routes - Women of the World Festival
Lucy Duran presents a performance by fadista Claudia Aurora and Algerian Arab Andalusian singer Nassima, in concert at the Women of the World Festival from the South Bank, London. Claudia Aurora is a fadista from Oporto in Portugal. She is now based in Bristol and has recently released her first album called Silencio, written in the UK. Nassima is a fervent ambassador of the ancient tradition of Andalusian music of Algeria known as the san'a tradition. She has played an important role in preserving this classical genre that was traditionally associated with men. This is Nassima's debut performance in the UK.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
27-Mar-2011
World Routes - World Routes Academy: 2011: 1. Hari Sivanesan
Lucy Duran and World Routes Academy protege Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan unpick the roots of South Indian classical music. As the 2011 World Routes Academy shifts its focus to South India, Lucy Duran is joined by young British veena player Hari Sivanesan and his Guru Smt. Sivasakthi Sivanesan to discuss what makes Carnatic music unique. Using recordings from the BBC archive they discuss the rich traditions of classical music in South India and Northern Sri Lanka, and its religious and social contexts. Features an extended performance in the studio by World Routes Academy protege, veena player Hari Vrndavn Sivanesan.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
20-Mar-2011
World Routes - Argentina: 3. Chamame
Banning Eyre heads into North East Argentina with Chamame accordionist Chango Spasiuk, to see the red earth and hear this unique accordion driven music. Misiones province in North East Argentina is a sliver of land between Brazil and Paraguay, more tropical than the rest of Argentina, it is part of the ancestral home of the Guarani people. Home to a large number of Jesuit missions in the 17th Century, during the early part of the 20th Century Misiones received an influx of European immigrants to work on the land, especially from Poland and the Ukraine. These East European farmers brought with them the accordion, which added Schottische and Polkas to an already rich cultural mix and the Chamame was born. Banning Eyre takes internationally renowned chamame accordionist Chango Spasiuk back to his roots in Misiones, to hear about how he learnt the accordion, and to meet and record local musicians. Sergio Tarnovsky is a young local talent from Apostoles who plays the 21 button diatonic accordion known as the verdulera. Lalo Doreto hails from the town of Obera, and is a local radio host, singer, and guitarist, and he puts on a special afternoon session with some friends in his back yard. As well as being the home of Chamame, Misiones is also the home of "yerba mate", the bitter green tea drunk with a metal straw from a hollowed out gourd by almost everyone in Argentina. Chango shows Banning the right, and the wrong way to make and drink it. On the way back from the North East they stop in at the Anconetani accordion factory in Buenos Aires, the first Argentine handmade accordion company, to meet its octogenarian patron Nazereno Anconetani, for a tour of the workshops and a session with one of Chamame's elder statesmen, accordionist Tilo Escobar. Presenter: Banning Eyre Producer: Peter Meanwell.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
13-Mar-2011
World Routes - Aurelio Martinez, South Pacific Music, Egypt
Lucy Duran presents Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez in session. With his new album Laru Beya, Aurelio Martinez is bringing the music of the Garifuna people of Central America to the world. A marginalised but culturally distinct people, the Garifuna are descended from African slaves and Caribbean Indians, and the music is an intriguing blend of African, Caribbean, Indian, and Latin influences. The album is inspired by the late great Garifuna musician Andy Palacio, and Aurelio Martinez worked with Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour on the recording. Lucy is also joined by journalists Jane Cornwell and Reda El Mawy to discuss new World music releases from the South Pacific, and the role that music has played in recent events in Egypt.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
19-Dec-2010
World Routes - Tenth Anniversary: Episode 2
In the second of two programmes, Lucy Duran celebrates ten years of World Routes with highlights from a special event recorded at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. There are performances from Senegal, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Peru and Turkey, as well as recordings from around the world taken from the Radio 3 World Music Archive. Producer Roger Short. World Routes was first broadcast on Radio 3 in the autumn of 2000 - then on a Sunday night, it proved popular and was soon moved to Saturday afternoon. Presenting the programme since the beginning, is its anchor, the Grammy-winning record producer, teacher and world music expert Lucy Duran. In 10 years, World Routes has broadcast sessions and live concerts with a complete "Who's Who" of world music artists from Youssou N'Dour, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Khaled, to Mariza, Caetano Veloso and Ravi Shankar. Not just interested in the stars of world music, World Routes is on a mission to travel to the most far-flung corners of the planet to document and - in its own small way - preserve endangered musical traditions. In the past 10 years World Routes producers and sound engineers, along with Lucy Duran and a team of guest presenters, have left the comfort of Broadcasting House in search of real roots traditions. To date, the programme has visited some 51 countries, including 15 in Africa, 15 in Asia , and 9 in the Americas - countries as diverse as Haiti, Iraq, Belize, Vietnam, Georgia, China, Madagascar and Cape Verde. World Routes has recorded at festivals throughout the world including WOMAD (in the UK, the Canaries and New Zealand), the Jerusalem Oud Festival, the Fez Festival of Sacred Music, the Sayan Ring Festival in Siberia, and, in 2010, had its own residency at the Abril Pro Rock Festival in Recife, Brazil.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
12-Dec-2010
World Routes - Tenth Anniversary: Episode 1
In the first of two programmes, Lucy Duran celebrates ten years of World Routes with highlights from a special event recorded at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. There are performances from Senegal, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Peru and Turkey, as well as recordings from around the world taken from the Radio 3 World Music Archive. Producer James Parkin World Routes was first broadcast on Radio 3 in the autumn of 2000 - then on a Sunday night, it proved popular and was soon moved to a Saturday afternoon. Presenting the programme since the beginning, is its anchor, the Grammy-winning record producer, teacher and world music expert Lucy Duran. In 10 years, World Routes has broadcast sessions and live concerts with a complete "Who's Who" of world music artists from Youssou N'Dour, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Khaled, to Mariza, Caetano Veloso and Ravi Shankar. Not just interested in the stars of world music, World Routes is on a mission to travel to the most far-flung corners of the planet to document and - in its own small way - preserve endangered musical traditions. In the past 10 years World Routes producers and sound engineers, along with Lucy Duran and a team of guest presenters, have left the comfort of Broadcasting House in search of real roots traditions. To date, the programme has visited some 51 countries, including 15 in Africa, 15 in Asia , and 9 in the Americas - countries as diverse as Haiti, Iraq, Belize, Vietnam, Georgia, China, Madagascar and Cape Verde. World Routes has recorded at festivals throughout the world including WOMAD (in the UK, the Canaries and New Zealand), the Jerusalem Oud Festival, the Fez Festival of Sacred Music, the Sayan Ring Festival in Siberia, and, in 2010, had its own residency at the Abril Pro Rock Festival in Recife, Brazil.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
05-Dec-2010
World Routes - Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal, FELA!, Samy Ben Redjeb
Lucy Duran with kora and cello duo Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Ségal in session, Rita Ray discusses the new musical FELA!, about the life of Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and Lucy talks to Analogue Africa founder Samy Ben Redjeb about his latest musical discoveries in Angola and the challenges of working in Angola.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
28-Nov-2010
World Routes - London Jazz Festival 2010: AfroCubism
AfroCubism: the legendary 'lost' project that became the Buena Vista Social Club is finally realised. In this concert from the London Jazz Festival, musicians from Mali and Cuba come together for the collaboration that was the original Buena Vista idea. Introduced from The Barbican by Lucy Duran. It was in 1996 that record producer Nick Gold planned a project involving veteran Cuban musicians with virtuoso performers from Mali, to be recorded in Havana. In the end, because of passport problems, the Malian musicians were unable to come, so the recording went ahead with just the Cubans - resulting in the classic Buena Vista Social Club album. Now Nick Gold has finally realised the original project for a new recording and concert tour. The musicians include Cuban singer Eliades Ochoa, one of the Buena Vista veterans, together with Malians Toumani Diabate on kora, Bassekou Kouyate on ngoni, and Djelimady Tounkara playing guitar, all now 14 years older, but still top performers. This London Jazz Festival concert was recorded at The Barbican on 21st November.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
21-Nov-2010
World Routes - London Jazz Festival 2010: Hugh Masekela, The Mahotella Queens
A London Jazz Festival concert featuring some of South Africa's biggest stars. Hugh Masekela has been a master of South African jazz since the 1960s, becoming an international celebrity with his hit 'Grazin' in the Grass'. The Mahotella Queens are of a similar vintage, and can still excite audiences with their high-energy township dance music. This concert was recorded on the opening night of the 2010 London Jazz Festival. Hugh Masekela learned the trumpet at the age of 14, and by the end of the 1950s was recognised as a top player. In 1960 following the Sharpeville massacre, he left South Africa and settled for a while in the USA. After his 1987 song 'Bring him back home' came true with the release of Nelson Mandela, he returned to South Africa. Now 71, he is still recording and still touring the world. The Mahotella Queens are young in comparison, forming in 1964. They had a string of hits with the 'King of the groaners' Simon Mahlatini Nkabinde, combining the energy of township 'mbaqanga' music with tight vocal harmonies. The current band members - Hilda, Nobesuthu and Midred - were all in the original 1964 line-up.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
14-Nov-2010
World Routes - 13/11/2010
More highlights from WOMEX, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place for the second year running in Copenhagen and showcases the newest bands and the freshest talent in world music. This week Lucy Duran introduces performances by the New York-based, Peruvian-inspired retro rockers Chicha Libre, and the Malian dancer, actress, and singer-songwriter, Fatoumata Diawara. Plus, the ambassador of Congolese Rumba, Papa Wemba, is in town celebrating his 40-year career. Producer James Parkin. Chicha Libre were inspired by the Amazonian music craze that shares its name with the liquor favoured by the Incas and still very popular throughout Peru. The Brooklyn-based band mix Latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop, drawing inspiration from chicha, a form of Peruvian music that emerged in the early '70s, loosely derived from Colombian accordion-driven cumbias but incorporating Andean melodies and Cuban son, amongst other things. Fatoumata Diawara was born in the Ivory Coast of Malian parents, and achieved local fame as a dancer before moving to Bamako in her early teens and starting an acting career. Moving to Paris in her early twenties, she began recording and touring with Oumou Sangare. She soon developed her own music, composing, arranging and playing her own material, blending Wassalou traditions of Southern Mali with wider influences.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
07-Nov-2010
World Routes - WOMEX 2010
Highlights from WOMEX, the annual gathering of the world music industry, which takes place this year in Copenhagen. WOMEX showcases the newest bands and the freshest talent in world music, and Lucy Duran introduces performances by Finnish accordion virtuoso Maria Kalaniemi, the leading singer of the Reunion Islands Danyel Waro, and Welsh band Mabon, named after the stormy winds of the autumn equinox. Producer Roger Short. Maria Kalaniemi is a leading figure in the extraordinary Scandinavian accordion movement, playing music rooted in folk styles as well as contemporary music in bands such as Accordion Tribe. Danyel Waro grew up singing his local style called 'Maloya', which combines influences from across the Indian Ocean. Maloya was once banned by the French colonists, and became a symbol of the Islands' struggle for independence. Mabon are based in Wales, but draw their influences from across the celtic world. They are led by Jamie Smith on accordion, with fellow Welshman Oli Wilson-Dickson on fiddle, Scottish musician Calum Stewart on wooden flute, and Jamie's dad Derek on guitar.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
31-Oct-2010
World Routes - Afghan Music, World Routes Academy 2011
Lucy Duran explores the music of Afghanistan in a session with young rubab player Wahid Delahang and tabla player Wahid Wahidi, and talks to writer Simon Broughton about his new compilation of music from across the country's rich musical landscape. Looking ahead, Lucy launches the World Routes Academy 2011, with a session from the new mentee.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
24-Oct-2010
World Routes - WOMAD Unheard
WOMAD unheard: a look back at last summer's festival, with highlights not broadcast before, including the Radio 3 Stage's memorable closing act, Kanda Bongo Man. Introduced by Lucy Duran. .
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
17-Oct-2010
World Routes - Argentina: 2. The Humahuaca Valley
Banning Eyre heads into northwest Argentina, travelling through the provinces of Salta and Jujuy to hear the songs and carnival music of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a mountain valley in the foothills of the Andes. Away from the Europe-centric metropolis of Buenos Aires, the northwest of Argentina is characterised by a history of invasion, where indigenous groups such as the Aymara and Coya were conquered first by Incas from the Altiplano, then by the earliest Spanish conquistadors in the 15th Century. The music of the Humahuaca valley is a mix of pan-pipes and end-blown flutes, frame drums and cow horns, mixed with guitars, accordions and mandolins; songs are sung in Spanish as well as Quechua, and the Virgin Mary is venerated alongside Pachamama. In the fertile Humahuaca valley Banning meets local musician Tomas Lipan, who tells stories of his childhood embarrassment at eating local foods and playing indigenous instruments, rather than eating spaghetti and playing guitar, and the cultural pressure he felt not to express his indigenous heritage. He sings with immense love of his hometown Purmamarca. Fortunato Ramos, poet, teacher, restaurant owner plays carnival music with his band in the town of Humahuaca, as well as the spectacularly long horn, the erquencho. Michaela Chauque is a young quena (end blown flute) player, who draws heavily on the ancestral music, and performs a song about the Pucara de Tilcara, a pre-Incan fortress, as well as singing Coplas from the Tilcara Carnival. Banning also discovers a mechanical Saint that delivers clockwork benedictions.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
16-Oct-2010
World Routes - Argentina: 1. Tango
In the first of a series of programmes recorded earlier this year in Argentina, musician and writer Banning Eyre travels to the country as it celebrates the 200th Anniversary of its independence from colonial rule, to discover the rich musical cultures that span this vast nation. Banning starts his journey in Buenos Aires, a teeming city that feels like a crumbling turn-of-the-century European capital, but with the colour and vibrancy of Latin America. Modern Argentina was built upon waves of European immigration in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, and it was the music of these immigrants, mixed with the milonga of the Argentine countryside, the habanera of Cuban sailors, and the candombe rhythms of African slaves, that formed a potent new form, one that stood for the passion, the grit and the hardships of this new city - Tango. Tango's origin as a music is complex, born as it was in the brothels and cabarets on the fringes of society, yet it is intimately connected with the identity of urban Argentina. Stepping past the cliches of the dancer with the red rose, Banning meets musicians who explore the rich history of the music, both as a key to its future, but also to their place in modern Argentine society. As well as the music, Banning takes a visit to the decorated grave of singer Carlos Gardel and samples the famed Dulce de Leche ice cream, that the inhabitants of Buenos Aires believe is the greatest in the world. Featuring on-location sessions and interviews with: Adriana Varela: one of the foremost female tango singers in Argentina today, accompanied by 3 guitarists and a bandoneon, evokes the song of the early immigrant tenements in the Rio de la Plata. El Arranque: a septet who play every Friday in Buenos Aires, and for the last fifteen years have been slowly documenting the music of the golden era of Argentine tango, the 1930s and 40s. Founded by double bass player Ignacio Varchausky, who also runs the organisation Tango Via, they discuss how in contemporary Argentina tango is a potent mirror to reflect on the often turbulent history of the country, and asks difficult questions for today. Cristobal Repetto: a singer with an international career, has a voice that recalls the earliest days of Tango Cancion, a form popularised across the world by singer Carlos Gardel. He draws on both the urban song as well as the milonga styles that preceded Tango. Ramiro Gallo: a young tango composer, who with his quintet draws on the music of the past to create a tango sound whose roots are solid but treads a clear path to the future. Especially for World Routes he brings together a 14 piece tango orchestra, which for many is the "true" sound of the music.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download)
03-Oct-2010
World Routes - Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
Lopa Kothari and Jameela Siddiqi introduce a recital by the Indian santoor virtuoso Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, accompanied by Anindo Chatterjee on tabla, recorded earlier this year at the Darbar Festival in London. This is the last of three programmes from the 2010 Darbar Festival, which took place over the Easter weekend at Kings Place in London. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma is a revered maestro of Indian classical music: he is based in Mumbai, but he regularly performs across the world - he first played in London back in 1968. The santoor is a hammered dulcimer which was originally a Kashmiri folk instrument - it was Shiv Kumar Sharma who reinvented it as an instrument suitable for playing Indian ragas, adding strings and developing a new delicate but powerful style of playing.
 (top)   (home)   (stream)   (stream (direct))   (download) \