“Minyo Medley” and 2 other songs (2017)

In this NPR Tiny Desk concert, we hear a unique and enchanting mix of sounds derived from the folk music of the Korean peninsula.

The Korean band SsingSsing combine the guitar, bass, and drums of a typical pop or rock group with the hypnotic vocals of “minyo” folk music. The result is a blend of fine timeless music – what journalist Heewon Kim described as “alternative Minyo rock.”

Commonly Blue

The lyrics of a typical “minyo” song express the melancholy, bluesy aspects of the life of the common people.

As for the band’s flashy looks, they are not in any way meant to imitate the shallow costumes of “glam rock.” The androgynous style reflects that of the shamans who historically performed “minyo,” and who might have had to channel female spirits. _{(Image source)} This “Tiny Desk Concert” features the following 3 songs:
– "Minyo Medley"
– "Nanbongga (Song of Beloveds)" _{(begins @ 5:20)}
– "Saseol Nanbongga (Narrative Song of Beloveds)" _{(begins @ 10:40)}

SsingSsing

The 6-member South-Korean band SsingSsing performs a mix of traditional Korean “minyo” folk music with various rock and pop sounds.

International Folk

The band has been focused on keeping alive the “minyo” of various regions of their homeland.

SsingSsing has been lauded by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs for highlighting their rural and cultural roots, and for showcasing those roots in an art form readily accessible to today’s urban dwellers – without resorting to K-pop.   _{(Image source)} _{Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – AntiqueAlive.com

Reference – KoreaDailyUS.com

Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...
          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 21–40"

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"

          Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"}