As I have written about I always jump at the chance to do reviews and interviews about world music and children’s music. Thus this is the first of several planned interviews in the next few weeks regarding albums of world music and children’s music.

I interviewed, by email, Randy Armstrong and Genevieve Aichele about their album A Mosaic of Stories and Music from Around the World – World Tales Volume 2

Scott: What was your goal with this project? Did you accomplish it?

RANDY: Our goal is to produce high quality storytelling and music CDs based on traditional and original stories with music and sound effects from around the world. To give insight and awareness to young listeners, educators and families of the common themes shared by all cultures and traditions.

GENEVIEVE: Our goal is also to inspire an interest in the magic of storytelling and music shared by all cultures, all human beings on this earth. By encouraging both children and adults to delight in this magic, we hope to also inspire tolerance and respect.

Scott: How does this album differ from the first album?

GENEVIEVE: We wanted to use stories from different cultures than those on the first album. We also wanted to begin a process of collaboration with guest artists, and were fortunate to be part of a cultural exchange program with Northern Ireland. We had originally asked Billy to record “Fergus Fionnliath” with us, but when he performed “What’s in There” as part of our collaborative production, we asked him to record that as well.

The first album was recorded in a sound studio but Randy recorded this second album himself. Personally, I think the audio quality is much higher - partially due to improved technology, but mostly due to Randy having both artistic and technical control over the sound. We also separated the music and stories into individual tracks which was due to feedback from our first album.

Scott: How did this album come about?

RANDY: Genevieve and I began recording this sequel in the series in 1999 when we worked with Irish storyteller Billy Teare as an international artist in residence in the state of New Hampshire. The voices and storytelling were recorded at that time and due to many professional and personal commitments, the project was put aside for many years. After setting up my recording studio, I made a commitment to resurrect the project and completed the recording in the spring of 2007.

Scott: How did you choose which songs to include on the album?

GENEVIEVE: I am half Irish, and wanted to record a story from my personal heritage. Many stories about the Irish heroes are full of blood and darkness; I love the humor of “Fergus Fionnliath” and Billy’s voice was perfect for it.

Billy Teare, as I explained, taught us the traditional Celtic poem “What’s in There.” When Billy was here in the States, we were asked to do a radio commercial using this poem. Randy added the Scottish melody he had recorded on his “Dinner in the Diner” series for PBS and it all worked so well we decided to include it on the album.

I had already adapted the story of “La Hormiguita” for a creative drama program and thought it would be fun for us to include in our repertoire. Randy had the idea of adding her song.

“The Sparrow” is another story I have liked for a long time, because I particularly like the lesson it relates. Randy also wanted to do a story using the traditional Japanese koto.

The story of the taxi driver in Washington DC telling me about his “Red Bird” is absolutely true. When he finished telling it, my sister whispered to me: “That should be on your next album.” Randy had just returned from a trip to Africa and was particularly excited about the Kpanlogo rhythm – it suited the story perfectly.

Scott: Which one is your favorite and why?

RANDY: I personally cannot chose a favorite. Each story and musical theme is unique cultural setting and theme, but I have to admit that every time I hear Billy Teare’s Irish brogue I get a big smile on my face.

GENEVIEVE: I, too, would have trouble making a choice. I always enjoy telling “La Hormiguita” because I love the language and the repetitive music. But I think I would vote for “What’s in There” because it is so simple, and yet so full of beauty and mystery.

Scott: What are you working on now?

RANDY – Genevieve & I are working on at least three additional volumes with hopes to put out a box set in the near future. I am also working on the Five CD Box Set and Booklet by Do’a – Randy Armstrong & Ken LaRoche entitled LEGACY: Complete Works that has 24–BIT Mastering from the Original Recordings. Also, a new solo meditation album and a new world wusion album with my ensemble featuring Volker Nahrmann – Germany / Jose Duque – Venezuela / Theo Martey – Ghana / Shamou – Iran / Henrique Almeida – Brazil / Marty Quinn – USA . All of these releases are scheduled for 2008.

GENEVIEVE: We have all sorts of ideas for educational products that could complement our World Tales albums – including books, scripts and workshops. This past fall, I performed a beautiful Chinese story for the Moon Festival with some amazing Chinese dancers and singers; I hope to incorporate them into our next album. I am always working on several projects at the same time. Currently, I am in rehearsal for an original musical based on New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation primary, I am writing a play based on the Arthurian legends, and I’m preparing to direct Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage & Her Children” with my Youth Repertory Company.

Scott: Randy, Do you really have more than 200 instruments? How do you keep track of them all?

RANDY - I actually have over 250 instruments from around the world. I have been collecting, playing and studying music from around the world for well over 30 years. You should see my studio and house!! I also teach West African Drumming and North Indian sitar and tabla at Phillips Exeter Academy and Plymouth State University.

Scott: This is your bonus question. This is where you ask yourself the question you were hoping I’d ask but didn’t.

Randy: Our Highest Hope is that our Stories and Music will contribute in some small way to Peace on Earth.

TRACKS:

1. What’s in There, a traditional Celtic poem
2. La Hormiguita’s Dance
3. La Hormiguita (The Little Ant), a story from Mexico
4. How Fergus Fionnliath Acquired a Dog, a story from Ireland
5. Ode to Fergus Fionnliath
6. Kpanlogo, a traditional rhythm from Ghana
7. The Red Bird, a story from Cameroon
8. The Sparrow, a tale from Japan
9. Song of the Sparrow

© Scott Butki 2008 for Listen In. Some rights reserved.

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