Programa #127 – Flute Thing

Every now and then I’ll focus on a particular instrument (the harmonica) or series of related instruments (strings). But in order to create as much diverse interest as uncommon sense would bear, I typically reach to the far corners of the globe. This program, dedicated to the flute, is no different, touching on the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the US of A. There are big flutes, little flutes, simple and complex flutes, jazz flutes, classical flutes and folk flutes, solo flutes and group flutes. A profound example of this latter style is the Bolivian tarqueada [LEFT], played on the tarka, a hefty, rudimentary instrument. On occasion dozens of flautists and drummers join in for a music perhaps best described as cacophonous, a complete community event with participation by an army of musicians and legions of dancers. It’s an egalitarian approach to the status of “musician” where almost anyone can master the basic note pattern, repeated over and over, and become a full-fledged member of the group. As a frustrated musician myself, I appreciate the concept of inclusivity. Another flute style worth examining is Southern African-American fife and drum music, sometimes known as Hill country blues. It’s a vanishing tradition, in its inception related to military fife and drum corps before the Civil War era. The flautist and singer here is Shardé Thomas, granddaughter of Othar Turner (1907-2003), one of the last well-known fife players to keep the genre alive in the hills of Northwest Georgia and Northern Mississippi. As discouraging as it is to see a people’s musical expression go extinct, one can only hope the revival movement carries on. -JH

Al compás del mundo, programa #127, 5-9-24 – Flute Thing

First broadcast 5-9-24

01 Husam Mohammed - improvisation (Egypt)

02 Gasba Chaoui - Laswed magrouni (Algeria)

03 Hill Boys & Gurkha Band - Resham firiri (Nepal)

04 Sunil Avachat - Dhani raag based (India)

05 Ravi Shankar - Fair (India)

06 Aoki Reibo y Miyagi Kiyoko - Haru no Umi (Japan)

07 Balkan Ethno Orchestra - Kaval Sviri (Bulgaria)

08 Los Folkloristas - El Torito (Mexico)

09 Unión San Pedro de Totora - Tarqueada (Bolivia)

10 The Chieftains - March from the Vannes Country (Ireland)

11 Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker & John Doyle - Leaving Uist, Lochaber Badger (Scotland)

12 Rising Star Fife Drum Band - Sitting on Top of the World (USA)

13 Charles Lloyd - Tagore on The Delta (USA)

14 Yusuf Lateef - The Golden Flute (USA)

15 Roland Kirk - It‘s a Grand Night for Swinging (USA)