Indonesia World Music And Indonesian Folk Music CDs

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An immense (and immensely populated) archipelago, Indonesia has given birth to some of the most popular and recognized music in all of Asia.

Foremost is the country's signature style, the gamelan orchestra, a percussive, clanging music that lends itself both to wild celebrations and solemn ceremonies. Its haunting drones and organic, hypnotic qualities speak to the myriad, hidden possibilites of music itself: it wrests surprising emotions from simple instrumentation.

Aside from their groundbreaking percussion work, Indonesian musicians also use various flutes, zithers, and many other instruments. Modern artists like SambaSunda look to the country's past to guide them as they create new music for the future, forging a style that is very accessible to international ears.

Indonesia folk CDs for sale

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Articles (world folk music CDs)

Luk thung is the country music of Thailand

Thai: ลูกทุ่ง Also: plen luk thung; luuk thung; loog thung; look thung; luk tung Generally described as Thai country music, luk thung is a style of music that has become quite popular in Thailand since the 1960's. It is generally slow paced (although there is a livelier variety), and the lyrics often deal with the plight of poor people in rural...

Newari folk music of Tibet

The Newars, an indigenous group in the Kathmandu valley of central Nepal, create a unique form of music in which percussion plays lead, and wind instruments provide incidental color. The musical direction is dictated by nature, particularly time and seasons. The style of music from this region consists solely of percussion and wind instruments - no strings...

Ranad ek and ranad thum, the xylophones of Thailand

Thai: ระนาดเอก (ranad ek); ระนาดทุ้ม (ranad thum) Also: ranat ek/thum; ranad thume The ranad ek is a kind of high-pitched xylophone from Thailand with either 21 or 22 bars made of bamboo or other hard wood. The lower-pitched ranad thum is based on the ranad ek, but has longer, wider keys. In both, the bars hang together on...

Khene, the bamboo reed flute from Laos and Issan

Thai: แคน Also: khaen; kaen; khen The khene, a long bamboo reed instrument, is the most beloved musical instrument in Laos, and the Lao instrument most familiar to the rest of the world. Often a common part of daily life, in some families as indispensable as chairs and tables, the khene is revered worldwide for its highly unique buzzing sound. The...

Indonesia folk CDs