World Music: The Rough Guide, First Edition

Growing up, I would check out nearly any unusual recording from the public library, just out of curiosity. Learning about far-off lands and cultures via record labels like Folkways and Lyrichord, I was into "world music" ages before that phrase was used to pigeonhole any sort of ethnic folk or pop. This book, initially checked out from the library with an equal degree of curiosity, opened my eyes and whetted my ears' appetite for armchair world travel. Reviews of regional music and culture (from dancing to politics), photos of artists and obscure album covers, and discographies of mostly vinyl and audiocassettes, all combined to create an intoxicating, seductive overview of much of the world's musical contributions. So fifteen years have passed, and newer, expanded editions of this guide have hit the bookshelves. But I still appreciate having all of this information in one volume, and will refer to it first, even before doing online research. The essays and photos still enchant, and the discographies now contain geuinely rare recordings for which I will eternally quest. If you are curious about world music, and don't wish to invest in heavier (both in weight and content) volumes, this book is an ideal place for bith study and browsing. The writing is informative while remaining funny, and the whole package will answer many questions before sending you into the world for any further information.