World Arbiter 2012

World Arbiter 2012: Japanese Traditional Music
Koto and Shamisen

  1. Hien no kyoku (Ikuta-ryû)
    uta: Kikuhara Hatsuko, koto: Kikuhara Kotoji
  2. Rokudan (Shin-Ikuta-ryû)
    koto: Nakahashi Gyômu
  3. Shôchikubai (Ikuta-ryû)
    koto: Yonekawa Fumiko, shamisen: Kawase Satoko, Fukuda Eika
  4. Kogô no kyoku (Yamada-ryû)
    koto: Koshino Eishô, Onodera Tamae, shamisen: Fujii Chiyoga
  5. Chidori no kyoku (Ikuta-ryû)
    koto: Yokoi Mitsue, kokyû: Satô Masakazu
  6. Mikuni no homare (Ikuta-ryû)
    koto (low): Yonekawa Chikatoshi, koto (high): Katô Jûko
  7. Miyako no haru (Yamada-ryû)
    koto: Yamamuro Chiyoko, shamisen: Chibu Tose, shakuhachi: Nôtomi Judô
  8. Shin-sarashi (Yamada-ryû):
    koto: Imai Keishô, shamisen: Yamase Shôin
  9. Kumagai Jun'ya no dan from Ichinotani Futabagunki
    jôruri: Takemoto Oritayû , shamisen: Takezawa Danroku, Nozawa Katsuyoshi
  10. Kitsune bi no dan from Honchô nijûshikô
    jôruri: Takemoto Oritayû , shamisen: Takezawa Danroku, Nozawa Katsuyoshi
  11. Sakaya no dan from Hadesugata onna maiginu
    jôruri: Takemoto Oritayû , shamisen: Takezawa Danroku, Nozawa Katsuyoshi
  12. Nozaki-mura no dan from Shinpan utazaimon
    jôruri: Takemoto Oritayû , shamisen: Takezawa Danroku, Nozawa Katsuyoshi
  13. Sukeroku yukari no Edo zakura
    jôruri: Yamabiko Yoneko , shamisen: Yamabiko Hideko, Yamabiko Yaeko
  14. Matsu no hagoromo
    jôruri: Miyako Ichiume, shamisen: Miyako Ichihana
  15. Sekitori senryônobori
    jôruri: Fujimatsu Tsurutayû, shamisen: Fujimatsu Tsurutodayû, Fujimatsu Tsuruhachi
  16. Toribeyama
    jôruri: Miyazono Senhiro, shamisen: Miyazono Senyae
  17. Shin-utsubo
    jôruri: Tokiwazu Matsuodayû, shamisen: Tokiwazu Mojibee, Tokiwazu Yaohachi
  18. Ichikawa yamauba
    jôruri: Tokiwazu Mitosedayû, Tokiwazu Mitosedayû, shamisen: Tokiwazu Mojibee, Tokiwazu Yaohachi
  19. Kanda-matsuri
    jôruri: Kiyomoto Umejutayû, shamisen: Kiyomoto Umekichi, Kiyomoto Umesaburô
  20. Sanja matsuri
    jôruri: Kiyomot Shizutayû, shamisen: Kiyomoto Eijirô, Kiyomoto Eiji
  21. Echigo-jishi
    uta: Yoshimura Ishirô, shamisen: Kineya Rokuji, Kineya Rokushirô, fue (flute): Katada Kisaburô, taiko (drum): Katada Kisaku, sasara (bamboo whisk): Mochizuki Taijirô
  22. Aki no irokusa
    uta: Yoshizumi Kotôji, shamisen: Kineya Rokuji, Kineya Rokushirô
  23. Ayatsuri sanbasô
    uta: Fujita Shinzô, shamisen: Matsushima Jusaburô, Kashiwa Senzaemon, fue: Katada Kisaburô, Mochizuki Taigorô, kotsuzumi: Mochizuki Tazaemon, ôtsuzumi: Mochizuki Taijirô, taiko: Katada Kisaku
  24. Tsunayakata no dan
    uta: Kineya Rokuzaemon, shamisen: Okayasu Kisaburô, Kineya Rokosuke, fue: Katada Kisaburô, kotsuzumi: Mochizuki Tazaemon, ôtsuzumi: Mochizuki Taijirô, taiko: Katada Kisaku

total time: 79'18"
KBS 78 sp 25 – 36, recorded 1940 by Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai

Hear Hear Imai Keishô koto and Yamase Shôin shamisen play Shin-sarashi

Read the liner notes (English)

Read the liner notes (Japanese)

2011 Gamelan Gong Kebyar

World Arbiter 2011: Bali 1928, vol. 1
Gamelan Gong Kebyar

Music from Belaluan, Pangkung, Busungbiu
The Oldest New Music of Bali

Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Belaluan, Denpasar:
1-6 Kebyar Ding parts I-VI
7 Curik Ngaras
8 Kembang Lengkuas
9 Tabuh Telu
10 Buaya Mangap
Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Pangkung, Tabanan:
11 Gending Sesulingan
12-15 Gending Longgor parts I-IV
Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Busungbiu, Northwest Bali:
16 Tabuh Légod Bawa
17 Tabuh Cacelantungan
18 Kebyar
19 Tabuh Panyelah
20 Tabuh Gari

Hear Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Belaluan playing Kebyar Ding, part 1: Kebyar

Read the liner notes; here is the entire PDF text by Edward Herbst; an abbreviated version is printed in the booklet.

Click here for a glossary of Balinese terms used in the essay.

Note: the CD contains three silent films by Rolf de Maré

Our additional silent films made in Bali, on YouTube:

2010world_japanese_cover

World Arbiter 2010: Japanese Traditional Music
Noh · Biwa · Shakuhachi

Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai, 1941

Music for the Noh theater
1 Takasago (su-utai) utai: Kanze Tetsunojô VI
2 Yashima (su-utai) utai: Kongoô Iwao I
3 Hagoromo (ban-bayashi): part I
4 Hagoromo (ban-bayashi): part II
utai: Sakurama Kintarô, ô-tsuzumi:
Kawasaki Rikichi, ko-tsuzumi: Kô Gorô
taiko: Kakimoto Toyoji, : Issô Eiji
5 Matsumushi (su-utai) utai: Kita Roppeita
6 Aoi-no-ue (su-utai) utai: Sakurama Kintarô
7 Hachinoki (su-utai): part I
8 Hachinoki (su-utai): part II
shite: Sakurama Kintarô, tsure: unknown,
waki: Hôshô Arata
9 Youchi Soga (icchô): part I
10 Youchi Soga (icchô): part II
utai: Kondô Kenzô, ko-tsuzumi: Ôkura Rokuzô
11 Teika ichiji no dai (dokugin): part I
12 Teika ichiji no dai (dokugin): part II
utai: Umewaka Manzaburô I
13 Sanekata (su-utai): part I
14 Sanekata (su-utai): Part II
utai: Hôshô Arata
Kyôgen kouta:
15 Tsuchiguruma, "Nanatsu ni naru ko"
16 "Uji no sarashi", "Fuku no kami"
utai: Shigeyama Sengorô
Biwa:
17 Môsô biwa: Jishinkyô
vocal and biwa: Kitada Meichô
18 Heikyoku: Nasu no Yoichi
vocal and biwa: Satô Masakazu
19 Satsuma biwa: Ko-Atsumori
vocal and biwa: Yoshimura Gakujô
20 Chikuzen biwa: Gishi no honkai
vocal and biwa: Tanaka Kyokurei
Shakuhachi:
21 Fuke shakuhachi: Ajikan
shakuhachi: Miyagawa Nyozan
22 Kinko-ryû: Kokû reibo
shakuhachi: Aoki Reibo
23 Tozan-ryû: Iwashimizu
shakuhachi duo: Katayama Yûzan, Sekino Shôzan
24 Miny'ô-shakuhachi: Oiwake-bushi
shakuhachi: Wakui Kogetsu

Hear Matsumushi (su-utai) utai: Kita Roppeita

Read the liner notes (English)

Read the liner notes - Japanese (pdf)

2009

World Arbiter 2009: Japanese Traditional Music

Gagaku · Buddhist Chant
1941 Recordings of the Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai

Gagaku:
Kumeuta; Azuma-asobi; Taishikichô chôshi; Koma ichôshi; Etenraku; Konron hassen;
Seigaiha; Chôgeishi; Taiheiraku no ha; Taiheiraku no kyû; Batô (kangen);
Batô (bugaku); Koromogae; Kashin

Buddhist Music:
Tendai-shû: Shichisan; Shakujô; Kyôke; Taiyô; Rongi; Rokudô kôshiki
Shingon-shû: Ungabai; Kassatsu
Wasan: Shaka nyorai go-wasan
Goeika:Reijô Nachi-san

In 1942, a set of sixty 78 rpm discs documenting the most authentic traditions in Japanese music was privately issued. Due to the War and neglect, few copies survive. This disc marks the beginning of its restoration.

japanese (pdf)

Hear Gagaku Taishikichô chôshi

Read the liner loads

2008

World Arbiter 2008: Lifting the Veil
The First Bluesmen (1926-1956)

Rev. Gary Davis & Peers
78 rpm discs from the Harry Smith Archive & private recordings

Leadbelly*: Sermon on Pancakes; The Blood's Done Signed Your Name; Gallows Pole; Leaving Blues*
Rev. Gary Davis*: Come Down to See Me Sometime; Lost John; Soldier's Drill;
Slow Blues in E; Mountain Jack; I Didn't Want to Join the Band;
Big Bill Broonzy: Starvation Blues
Leola B. Wilson & Blind Blake: Black Biting Bee Blues
Buddy Boy Hawkins: A Rag
William Moore: Raggin' the Blues; Old Country Rock
Gus Cannon & Blind Blake: Poor Boy
Ramblin' Thomas: Poor Boy; Hard Dallas Blues; Back Gnawing Blues; Sawmill Moan
Charley Patton: Mississippi Bo Weevil Blues; Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues
Rube Lacy: Mississippi Jail House Groan; Ham Hound Crave
Edward Thompson: Seven Sisters Blues
total time: 76'38"
* previously unpublished

Liner notes include excerpts from an unknown, unpublished oral histroy of Rev. Gary Davis compiled in 1951.

Hear Leola B. Wilson & Blind Blake in 1926 (Black Biting Bee)

Read the liner notes

Dancers of Bali: Bamelan of Peliatan, 1952

World Arbiter 2007: Dancers of Bali

Gamelan of Peliatan, 1952

Gong, angklung and gender wayang of Peliatan under the direction of Anak Agung Gedé Mandera

Kapi Radja
Angklungan
Tumulilingan
Baris
Gambangan
Kebyar
Gender Wayang: Angkat - Angkatan
Legong: Lagu Condong · Pengipuk · Garuda
Legong: Lagu Condong · Bapang · Pangkat · Garuda

Hear Kapi Radja

Read the liner notes

Recordings made in London & New York, 1952
Published with the permission of Sony Music and the John Coast Foundation

Blind Lemon Jefferson: Long Lonesome Blues

World Arbiter 2006: Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897-1929)

Long Lonesome Blues: Lemon's Texts Revealed
Recorded 1926-1929

Rabbit Foot Blues; Shuckin' Sugar Blues; Booster Blues; Dry Southern Blues;
Long Lonesome Blues; Got the Blues; Black Horse Blues; Corrina Blues;
Old Rounder's Blues; Beggin' Back; That Black Snake Moan; Stocking Feet Blues;
Bad Luck Blues; Broke and Hungry; Chinch Bug Blues; Deceitful Brownskin Blues;
Electric Chair Blues; See that My Grave is Kept Clean; Low Down Mojo Blues;
Jack o' Diamond Blues; Chock House Blues; Change My Luck Blues;
Lemon's Cannon Ball Blues; Lemon's Worried Blues; Prison Cell Blues; Long Distance Moan;

A monumental artist amongst the earliest recorded bluesmen, Blind Lemon Jefferson was a master guitarist and lyricist. While his recordings have been re-issued, often in poor sound, World Arbiter's restoration is the first publication of Jefferson to include transcriptions of the song texts and bring greater clarity to these classic vintage discs.

Hear Blind Lemon Jefferson play Bad Luck Blues

Read the liner notes

Rev. Gary Davis: The Sun of Our Lives

World Arbiter 2005: The Sun of Our Lives

Rev. Gary Davis. recorded 1955-1957

In a private archive lay home recordings of works never recorded on LP or CD by this master bluesman, ragtime guitarist and gospel artist, second to none as a musician, who influenced Blind Boy Fuller, Brownie McGee, Bob Dylan, Bob Weir & the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal and so many more. These unique documents, in excellent sound, capture a full cross-section of a remarkable musician who brought to culmination so many traditions. Included is a fiery sermon by the Rev.

1. improvisation: Fast Blues in A
2. improvisation: Slow Blues in E
3. West Coast Blues (Blind Blake)
4. improvisation: Rag in A minor
5. Two-step
6. Horse Thief's Blues
7. Candy Man
8. cigarette break
9. improvisation: Hills and Valleys
10. Seven Sisters
11. Crucifixion
12. I Decided to Go Down
13. Sun is Going Down
14. My Heart is Fixed
15-18: hymn, prayer, song, sermon (church service)
19. improvisation: Coco Blues
rec. 1955-57, licensed from Labor Records.

Hear Rev. Gary Davis perform Improvisation: Fast Blues in A

Read the liner notes

Lo Ka Ping

World Arbiter 2004: Lost Sounds of the Tao

Lo Ka Ping, guqin. recorded 1970, 1971

The guqin was Confucius' instrument, used by scholars and nobles for self-purifiation. Lo was a Taoist priest (1896-1980) who lived in the remote lands of the New Territories behind Hong Kong, recorded by a pupil in 1970. These rare archival tapes were assembled after an extensive hunt in Hong Kong, New York, California and Taiwan.

Hear Lo Ka Ping performing the traditional work Teals descending on the level sand.

Read the liner notes

World Arbiter 2003: Ancient Court Raga Traditions

World Arbiter 2003: Ancient Court Raga Traditions

Pandit Ashok Pathak, surbahar
Ragas Malkauns, Bageshree
Recorded in 2000

Read the liner notes

2002 Dances and Trances

World Arbiter 2002: Dances and Trances

Taroudannt, Morocco, 1994-1995:
Adhan for early morning prayer
Three Guerreras
Combined Adhans for Salat as-Soubh
Egyptian style Oud song
Two Berber songs
Hadra

Sufi Brotherhoods and Street Musicians

Read the liner notes

The Roots of Gamelan

World Arbiter 2001: The Roots of Gamelan

bali, 1928:
gong of belaluan
pelegongan of kuta, directed by i wayan lotring
gong of busungbiu
gender wayang of kuta, directed by i wayan lotring
janger group of abian timbul
angklung of sidan

new york, 1941:
colin mcphee's transcriptions
colin mcphee & benjamin britten, duo pianists
georges barrere, flute

 Read the liner notes