Comments on: 10 Most Influential Musicians for Travelers Over the Past Decade

By: Darrin

Darrin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:22:58 +0000

Great list. This piece makes me want to travel AND visit a music shop (while they still exist). I'd recommend Ruben Blades for anyone traveling the Panama – NYC conduit and beyond. I like how on his myspace page, he includes some of his older salsa tracks side by side with his recent work with bagpipe musicians.

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By: Claudio88

Claudio88 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:55:36 +0000

Music and traveling go sooo well together. The right music at the appropriate place can definitely enhance the experience of any trip, and I think music is the most powerful window into a particular culture. For example, a trip to Portugal is only complete with listening to music from Madredeus. Iceland would only make sense with Sigur Ros. I have music from the majority of the artists in this article, but not from Bajofondo and Johansen. And as luck would have it, im studying abroad in Buenos Aires next semester. Jackpot. They were a great find. And David, you should check out Federico Aubele and Natalia Clavier, who are also Argentinian (and married) and signed to Thievery Corporation's Eighteenth St Lounge label. And since we are talking about Thievery, I think they are the ultimate global music ensemble. Their eclectic music encompass anything from bossa nova to afrobeat to jazz to funk to reggae…I feel like they would be the perfect fit for this article. They are phenomenal live as well, since they bring with them singers from all reaches of the globe.

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By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:23:54 +0000

Seriously, thanks so much for posting! I don't get to hear much music randomly, so I have to be kind of selective about what I listen to, but the bands from this list I do know rock, so I can't wait to listen to the others!

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By: Wendy Wong

Wendy Wong — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:39:49 +0000

As well as Xavier Rudd, I'd recommend The Cat Empire (Australia), John Butler Trio (Australia), Salmonella Dub (NZ), Shapeshifter (NZ), The Black Seeds (NZ), and, of course, Michael Franti and Spearhead. World/acoustic/dub/d'n'b (I hate genre-lising; and I just made that word up. I hope you like it). I have yet to see John Butler live, but the rest of the bands are all phenomenal performers, and very easy to listen to on the road. As for what I've actually been forced to listen to while I'm travelling, I think the most overplayed artists in Asia in 2006 were Jack Johnson and Bob Marley. I've only recently regained the ability to stomach a Jack Johnson song in its entirety. 2002 in Edinburgh will always be invoked by the White Ladder album by David Gray, and Lovage (Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By) by Nathaniel Merriweather. I think these days the kids are all about the Arcade Fire.

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By: Señor Oz

Señor Oz — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:07:37 +0000

Nice one! One more to look out for is San Francisco own Sila and the Afrofunk Experience. Check out his website for a free download of his new song Black President! ” target=”_blank”>http://www.afrofunk.net

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By: David_Miller

David_Miller — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:33:43 +0000

thanks for the bigups everyone. i'll have to check out Xavier. I've heard of him before actually, but still haven't heard him. a couple honorable mentions i'd add too: diplo, zizek, and also old-school r.e.m. (murumur, fables) when i'm feeling lost.

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By: Eve

Eve — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:23:03 +0000

hey, superb writing on a topic obviously close to heart. thanks for sharing! you turn a phrase with flow right on the clave. manu chao def my number one too, without clandestino and estación esperanza, i doubt i´d be living in buenos aires today. my list would include gogol bordello, jose gonzales, the clash, ben harper, lila downs, nortec collective, and definitely ghostface killah. nothing like ghostface on a foreign subway to link you back to nyc. old dirty works too. good travel partner when you need to break up a dysfunctional situation with some humor.

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By: Tracy Grooters

Tracy Grooters — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:36:53 +0000

Nice list David! I personally like Xavier Rudd- he's from Australia and has some awesome songs with a digeridoo and slide guitars. Amazing musician. Check out some youtube videos to see what I mean! ” target=”_blank”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzsU5bJNRxE&fe...

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By: Nicole Lerner

Nicole Lerner — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:23:54 +0000

This list is awesome. Just reading through it brought me back to so many travel memories! My faves: Manu Chao, Bajofondo Tango Club and Daft Punk.

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By: tom

tom — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:38:23 +0000

Really well rounded! I'm going to take your tip and spend time checking out Bajofondo next month.

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