59 Comments

What a lovely selection, Nadia. I'm always down with broadening my music horizons. I don't know any of these, but the first two I've listened to just now whilst reading your post are most soothing and grounding. Thanks so much for sharing.

Ulaanbaatar is one of my favourite place names. The word has such a great selection of letters 😆

It's not folk music (but it is music virtuosity), but I've found myself listening and watching a lot of Polyphia. Tim Hensen (think that's his name) is a god.

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Such a special place name indeed. Haha! Thank you so much, Nathan. I hope the rest will prove to be soothing or revitalizing for you as well. I will be checking out Polyphia soon. My apologies for being behind on reading your wonderful work. I will correct that soon!

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Don't be silly, nothing to apologise about. 🤗

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🙏🫶

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Love the reflection at the beginning. My preview of the music was so fun! I’ll listen properly this evening. I love the range of cultures. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Nadia!

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Thank you so much, Kathleen! There was so much I had to cut down on as I did not want to overwhelm the readers or myself lol. I may do a part deux. I hope you will like their music. Learning about their life stories, tribulations and triumphs, has been quite fascinating and illuminating.

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Ps: I am so sorry for being behind on my reading of your lovely work. I will rectify that asap!

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No need to apologise :)

I’m way behind myself but was happy to catch this one today!

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I so appreciate you and hope your travels have been wonderful. May your move go smovely! (Get it? Lol)

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😁

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Part deux please! But all

In good time :)

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It will be a while for sure. This took me a month to write. 🤪

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Lovely list! Have you come across the videos of Farya Faraji? I enjoy his music and his video essays. Cheers!

https://youtu.be/LR511iAedYU?si=CeBu6nMWrqC8EPXS

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I have not, but can’t wait to dig in. Thank you so much!

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Thanks for this wonderful list! I've enjoyed Tinariwen for many years, and am now looking forward to getting to know these others.

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I’m elated to know you know them! Their music is amazing. Thank you, Wendy!

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I need to spend time listening to each and every one of these! Loving the rooting and folks-ing connections. Thank you for this nourishment!

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Thank you so much, Kimberly! My apologies for being behind on your work, I’ll be reading ASAP!

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What a list! The breadth of your music knowledge is impressive, my dear - thanks for bringing these, every one unique and rich. (Love to see Elisapie again too!) 🩷

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Thank you, dearie. I always make a point to mention Elisapie. You may have noticed I’m a fan! lol

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Wow, you put a lot of effort into this! Love it, don't know any, like Nathan, but am always happy to discover new artists! Thanks, Nadia!

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Thanks so much, Alexander! It took a month to write. Hah! I hope you like the music, especially the Cowboys and their fabulous joual!

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Yeah, I love it, makes me feel good, something that has been in short supply as of late. So double thanks! ;)

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*Hugs* Stay strong, cowboy!

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Music has so much power. I found myself with real tears in my eyes, slamming around in the mosh pit at my first live show after COVID. I was a little embarrassed but, at the same time, just happy.

Thanks for the essay and for sharing these artists.

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Thank you for sharing your experience. I know what you mean. The COVID pandemic was such a ruthless time for everyone globally, and just enjoying a music show finally can bring anyone to tears. I’m glad you got to finally experience live music and I hope you get to do more of that soon.

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Thanks for this wide variety of folk music selections. I picture myself in these countries when listening.

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I’m so glad it has that effect on you!

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What a great selection, Nadia! Most of these are new to me and I’m looking forward to broadening my music horizons!

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Thank you so much, Priya! I’m delighted to hear that.

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Nadia, love the way you opened this post, with ruminations on the meaning of the words "root" and "folk, or folks." And thank you for sharing this inspired collection of folk music and musicians — looking forward to rooting around through listening.

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Rooting around through listening - I so love that! Thank you so much for your support, Jeffrey!

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Wonderful Nadia. Loved that Romanian, almost gypsy sound. My grandmother was from some remote part of northern Italy and her people were sedentary gypsies, and she still spoke Romansh.

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That is so cool, Weston! Yes it does have a balkan, romani sound to it!

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With your name you must be from somewhere in that region, Ukraine maybe?

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I am part Ukrainian indeed! But I was born in Kazakhstan.

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Wow. I knew that it was a big country but I didn't know that it's bigger than all of western Europe.

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Hah! A little but, huh? :)

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The 9th largest country in the world!

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This is so good. I don't think I've heard of any of these groups. So excited to dig in!

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I’m so excited for you! Their music is wonderful.

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This is a really nice selection! I especially like the Otyken music video. It reminds me of having met some Kyrgyz people 15 years ago that performed with a mouth harp or a similar instrument.

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That is so cool! I love the sound of it. Thank you so much for popping by!

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I like the idea of music grounding us with Base level, vibrations bubbling up from the Unified Field that resonate deeply with all human beings. We're like tuning forks that can't help tapping our feet or dancing or singing when we hear music that resonates with us. Maybe that's why I've never really found mumble rap very appealing but to someone somewhere it's the best thing ever. There are plenty of videos on YouTube with binaural beats etc that produce an instant effect in those who maybe need some balance but others feel nothing so it's a very subjective and interesting area of research getting back to the roots of why musical vibrations have such a powerful impact on our physiology and our mental state that affects everything in our environment.

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So well said, Tsubion! I have that effect with 80s new wave music. I just have to sing and dance to it! My husband gets cringed out but feels on top of the world with trance. Indeed, it is different for everyone. I like some binaural beats and brain waves, they can be quite soothing or revitalizing. But others feel so disharmonious. Indeed, an interesting subject to explore.

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I love this. Singing, dancing, drumming!!! You nailed it.

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Thank you, Hudson! That does bring us closer to our humanity and happiness.

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I firmly believe that! I just appear a respectable citizen with my short hair nowadays. Behind that fake middle class for siders a Court in Road dirty hippie super kind, a veggie burrito, eating drum circle Deadhead….😉

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Haha. Well you sound like a charming hoot!

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LOL I have my days. 😉

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