Theodore Levin takes readers on a journey through the rich sonic world of inner Asia, where the elemental energies of wind, water, and echo; the ubiquitous presence of birds and animals; and the legendary feats of heroes have inspired a remarkable art and technology of sound-making among nomadic pastoralists. As performers from Tuva and other parts of inner Asia have responded to the growing worldwide popularity of their music, Levin follows them to the West, detailing their efforts to nourish global connections while preserving the power and poignancy of their music traditions.

A musical companion to "The Hundred Thousand Fools of God: Musical Travels in Central Asia (and Queens, New York) by Theodore Levin.

It Is Believed That The Only Way The Khasi People Could Learn Of God S Word Was By Passing On The Stories Of Their Forefathers. The Alphabet Of The Great Khasi Tribe Of North-East India Was Born As Late As In 1842, When Thomas Jones, A Welsh Presbyterian Missionary, Introduced The Roman Script To Form The Essentials Of The Khasi Written Word. But Long Before The White Man Came, The Khasis Knew Agriculture, Trade, Commerce And Industry. And They Were Also Masters Of Storytelling. Theirs Was A Society Of Great Wisdom And Civilized Conduct At A Time When Brute Force Held Sway. For Theirs Was A Culture That Worshipped God Through Respect For Both Man And Nature. Perhaps That Is Why Khasi Stories Always Begin With When Man And Beasts And Stones And Trees Spoke As One . . . How Did The Great Storytelling Tradition Of The Khasis Survive So Long Without A Script? Putting Together Myths And Legends Peopled By Deities And Poor Folk, Speaking Trees And Talking Tigers, The Sun And The Moon And Everything Below Bilingual Poet And Writer Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih Describes How Fables Of Love And Jealousy, Hate And Forgiveness, Evil And Redemption Inform The Philosophy, Moral Principles And Daily Activities Of His Community Even Today.

This beautiful and informative enhanced ebook—so comprehensive it had to be split into two volumes, ebook 1 and ebook 2—offers a detailed introduction to the musical heritage of Central Asia for readers and listeners worldwide. Music of Central Asia balances "insider" and "outsider" perspectives with contributions by 27 authors from 14 countries. This stunning electronic book allows readers the opportunity to deeply engage with source material through over 180 embedded audio and video, pop-up study questions, transliterations and translations of performed texts, and direct links to the companion website (www.musicofcentralasia.org). The audio and video examples include transliterations and translations of the performed texts and a follow-along feature highlights the song lyrics in the text, as the audio samples play. This generously illustrated book is supplemented with boxes and sidebars, musician profiles, and an illustrated glossary of musical instruments, making it an indispensable resource for both general readers and specialists. Ebook 1 includes part I, "Music and Culture in Central Asia," an introductory overview of the music and musical instruments of Central Asia, and part II, "The Nomadic World," which focuses on music and musical life in historically nomadic regions of Central Asia. Ebook 2 contains part III, "The World of Sedentary Dwellers," which focuses on music and musical life in historically settled regions of Central Asia, and part IV, "Central Asian Music in the Age of Globalization," which addresses "the future of the past," focusing on cultural revitalization and renewal, tradition-based popular music, and contemporary music inspired but not constrained by tradition.

A birdsong expert's poignant and beautifully illustrated memoir of a bicycle journey across America with his son Join birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma on a ten-week, ten-state bicycle journey as he travels with his son from the Atlantic to the Pacific, lingering and listening to our continent sing as no one has before. On remote country roads, over terrain vast and spectacular, from dawn to dusk and sometimes through the night, you will gain a deep appreciation for the natural symphony of birdsong many of us take for granted. Come along and marvel at how expressive these creatures are as Kroodsma leads you west across nearly five thousand miles—at a leisurely pace that enables a deep listen. Listening to a Continent Sing is also a guided tour through the history of a young nation and the geology of an ancient landscape, and an invitation to set aside the bustle of everyday life to follow one's dreams. It is a celebration of flowers and trees, rocks and rivers, mountains and prairies, clouds and sky, headwinds and calm, and of local voices and the people you will meet along the way. It is also the story of a father and son deepening their bond as they travel the slow road together from coast to coast. Beautifully illustrated throughout with drawings of birds and scenes and featuring QR codes that link to audio birdsong, this poignant and insightful book takes you on a travel adventure unlike any other—accompanied on every leg of your journey by birdsong.