THE BASICS WORLD MUSIC

A remarkably wide-ranging encyclopedia of the myriad styles commonly known as world music, Richard Nidel's WORLD MUSIC--THE BASICS surveys a global range of artists, their repertoires, and the musical histories of their countries, in addition to listing and recommending a wealth of recorded material. Over 130 countries are included, organized by continent, with brief explorations of their political and cultural significance and mentions of their most noteworthy artists. Weaving together music, society, and politics, the book also functions as a fascinating indirect investigation of the influences of cultures on one another throughout the centuries. Full of intriguing information (Iraq was the birthplace of Middle Eastern music, and the home of Ziryab, a preeminent ninth-century Arab musician and oudist who was the father of flamenco) and meant to inspire further study, THE BASICS also lists the many instruments common to each region, tracing their development over the course of the book. It's both a horizon-broadening lesson in international political and social history and a revealing eye- and mind-opening tour through a planet crammed with music.