Rough Guide to the Music of China

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B0000AQORM
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,578 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > China

Track Listings

1. Yi Wu Suo You (Nothing To My Name) - Cui Jian

2. Silaihuar - Urna

3. Jiu Kuang 'The Drinking Song' - Yao Gongbai

4. Wo Yao Hui Jia (I Want To Go Home) - Bai Hong

5. My 1997 - Ai Jing

6. Stone Forest Nocturne - Min Xiao-Fen

7. Hong Niang Hui Zhang Sheng - Zheng Jun Mian

8. Shanaxi Air - Silk Road Music

9. Yellow Banana - Hang On The Box

10. Nocturnal Light - Kin Tall

11. Li Xiang Lan - Lan Guei Ji Ji

12. The Green Brook Running - Tse Chun Yan

13. Tirik Bostan - Sinkiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Song & Dance Ensemble

14. Bo - Wu Xing

15. Chiang Wei Cu Cu Kai - Gong Chio Xia

16. Autumn Moon - Tats Lau

17. The Night Of Bonfire - Liu Fang

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of Chinese music, August 1, 2004

By 

Z. Crook "Zeng Bo" (Las Cruces, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of China (Audio CD)

This CD is great. I have given this as a gift to one of my friends and she enjoyed it. It does a great job of showing music from mainland China. Most music collections are just traditional Pipa or erhu or contain pop from HK, this CD showcases some of the best songs and best and influential bands of modern China. Both classic and modern styles have been represented well, but I want to talk about three artists in particular: Of course Cui Jian's song "Yi Wu Suo You" is a must for anyone who wishes to understand modern Chinese music, but even more interesting is the addition of two other artists. Ai Jing, probably the most underestimated modern folk-rocker was a great influence in the late 90's, and still has a large underground following in China. Even more amazing to me was the addition of my personal friends from the Fem-Punk Band "Hang on the Box" These girls are at the leading edge of Chinese music today. Their song "Yellow Banana" (from their cd of the same name)is a pretty good example of their music.
This is a great album to have if you want a crash course in Chinese Music. ^_^

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the music of"the other superpower", August 27, 2003

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of China (Audio CD)

An excellent selection, covering a wide range of modern and folkloric Chinese music. The album starts out on a shaky note, with a long rock song by Cui Jian that sounds kinda like Sting and The Police -- not my cup of tea, but it certainly lets you know that this is a collection that's going to break up our stereotypes of what "Chinese music" sounds like... And indeed, this set runs a gamut of sound, from the traditional twangy lute music we know and love so well, to many other styles -- folk-rock, anthemic children's choruses reminiscent of the Maoist years, operatic pop, etc. It's an impressive collection representing some of the best music to come from this once-closed society. Informative and thought-provoking, as well as often simply beautiful... This disc is definitely recommended for anyone eager to learn more about the world around us.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and accessible, November 14, 2005

By 

KeithSF (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of China (Audio CD)

I've heard several Rough Guide CDs that I've enjoyed, and I bought this one out of curiosity (I'm planning a trip to China next year).

I hadn't really even expected to like this-- in fact I thought it would just remain a curiosity-- but I have to say that it's my favorite of the Rough Guide series. It's very exotic yet somehow remains accessible, and I'm impressed at how diverse the selections are yet it still maanges to be fairly cohesive.

If you're at all interested in Chinese culture, or if you're interested in exploring world "pop" music, you'll be charmed by this CD.