What was the first foreign language music you ever brought?
Posted by: Roy T on 21 October 2002
Mine is a 1985 edition of Ofra Haza – Yemenite Songs, Globe Style ORB-006-A.
After listening to this on a show hosted by Charlie Gillet (Radio London ?) one Sunday afternoon and even though I didn’t understand a word I just had to rush out next day buy a copy from Our Price. I was completely captivated by the sounds and rhythms I had never experienced before and after all these years I still find myself listening to Charlie Gillet at odd times of the night on the BBC World Service. Even though the World Service reception is not of the highest quality his programs still give me pleasure and his play lists still give me ideas for other music to try.
Would anyone else like to contribute?
Posted on: 21 October 2002 by Bosh
Fooled me though (doesnt take much) with the lyrics being in English I thought I'd got an orphan version
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by gusi
Being Dutch it would probably be Moonflower, Babylon by bus or Outlandos d'Amour, I can't quite recall which came first. Single was Kung Fu fighting on my cousins advice.
If we interpret this as non english, it is the first Nina Hagen Band Album. Our german teacher even helped us translate unbeschreilich weiblich and der Spinner. He asked us to bring in some german music and this is what we brought. Not sure if he expected that but he was game enough to base a lesson on it - great man, great ablbum!
Gus
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by throbnorth
'Ya Ya' twist, by the eternally lovely Petula Clark. Wish I still had it ....
throb
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Bernard Paquet
The Beatles!
For me english is foreign langage!
Bernard Paquet
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Roy T
Bernard, many thanks for your contribution.
I sorry for not being able to reply to you in your own language and I totally agree with your choice of music.
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
About a 1/3rd of my music collection is not in English.
The first was probably Remmy Ongala 'Mambo'
If you want to explore music where the power of the voice really transcends the language then try Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. A truly inspirational and gifted performer. Lots available, RealWorld have a good selection of high quality recordings.
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on TUESDAY 22 October 2002 at 16:06.]
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by blythe
Ca Plain Por Moi - Plastique Bertrand (Single)
(Very sad I know)
PS. Not sure of the spelling and I can't be bothered to dig out the 7"
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Phil Barry
Puccini's Turandot - Callas
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Roy T
I have found this a useful starting point when hunting for new music.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/wmusic.shtml This is the latest Charlie Gillit play lists detailing music from his BBC World Service programs.
[This message was edited by Roy T on TUESDAY 22 October 2002 at 21:08.]
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by count.d
Mine was The Proclaimers
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Mike Sae
If you don't include Jamacian Patois, I think mine was Khaled's "N'issi Nissi".
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by gusi
Blythe - I liked "ca plane pour moi" it is such a cruisy song. I haven't heard the originals.
Bruce - I saw Nusrat Ali Khans nephews the other day with the rythm section from trans global underground. They were called "something Qawalli and the Temple of Sound", I forgot the full name. Their live performance was awesome. I got a couple of their CDs, the CD with Qawalli on it was great, the Temple of Sound CD was badly mixed. I don't know what those guys do, TGU and ToS sound great live but their CDs sound flat and harsh.
Gus
Posted on: 22 October 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Rizwan Qawalli I think?
I have listened to both without being inspired. Very variable quality.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan produced huge amounts of very traditional music and a couple of albums with Michael Brook with some modern backing. His voice has been mixed in all sorts of dance tracks (including one by Massive Attack) and also film soundtracks because of its other-wordly nature but buy one of the original albums for a start. I would say Love Songs or Musst Musst on RealWorld but their are plenty to chose from.
We had a thread about him in the archives somewhere-do a search.
Bruce
Posted on: 23 October 2002 by Dev B
Mine is the same as Roy T! and I still have the vinyl. Also Lem Chaheb and Dissidenten from the same label (a quite cool mix of Morrocan rock)
Posted on: 23 October 2002 by gusi
Bruce,
You're right Rizwan Qawalli it was.
I'll have a look for the Nusrat Ali Khan albums. I think I may even have one at home, called party or something similar. At the moment I am backpacking through Thailand so it may have to wait a while.
If you have a chance to see Rizwan Qawalli live have a look, I thought the life version was much better than the recording. The same with TGU I saw life and it was great but the recordings somehow dissappoint.
I saw some local music here the other day including an instrument that looked like an upside down pan flute. Just Thai sing along stuff but good fun and every one got into it. Even a few jigs that would have sounded irish on other instruments. Though no doubt 5 pound bottles of Johnny Walker affected my judgement.
cheers
Gus
Posted on: 23 October 2002 by Cheese
No Edith Piaf yet ?
Cheese
Posted on: 23 October 2002 by Dan M
quote:
Originally posted by blythe:Ca Plain Por Moi (Single)
ditto. This was all the rage in France when I was there on a grammar school trip (late 70's?). Isn't there another cover to the same tune - lyrics something like 'Jet boy, jet girl'? Anyone know who did that one?
-dan
Posted on: 24 October 2002 by David Stewart
Luis Alberto Del Parana Y Los Paraguayos 'Popular Favourites' (inc. La Bamba) Philips SBL7724 1966.
And very good it was/is too
David
Posted on: 28 October 2002 by Roy T
Has anyone used Stern's via the net?, they seem to have a pile of music from Africa and I'm tempted to give them a try when my credit card returns to health.
http://www.sternsmusicshop.com/Posted on: 16 November 2002 by JamH
Ignoring things like 'Carmina Burana' Mozart
opera etc. the first record I bought without
a translation was ...
Kraftwerk : Radio-Activity.
James
by-the-way : later albums were released in
English and German versions.
