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David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - Printable Version

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David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 05-31-2017

If you've ever listened to World Music, noticed Putumayo CD's at the Starbucks checkout, or enjoyed the backing musicians on popular music albums from Paul Simon to Peter Gabriel, you have Hawaii resident David Lewiston to thank for that. He provided the first exposure many of us had to non-Western music, which allowed others to bring it into the mainstream. He was a true pioneer in the field.

He started his career almost by accident when he recorded Music From The Morning Of The World in Bali back in 1966. Other people had recorded indigenous music before, but David brought a sense of joy and excitement to the songs. He loved the adventure, the musicians, and their songs.

He lived on Maui since 1982, and rarely left the island. He died on May 29th in Wailuku at age 88.

Here are a couple of good summaries that describe his life and work:

Nonesuch Records:
http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/david-lewiston-musical-explorer-dies-88-2017-05-30

Hawaiian Airlines Hana Hou:
http://www.hanahou.com/pages/Magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=425&MagazineID=26




RE: David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - mermaid53 - 06-01-2017

Mahalo for sharing this HOTPE. The article prompted me to look for his music...

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+lewiston




RE: David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - Jeremy Lutes - 06-01-2017

Another thanks for mentioning this. What a pioneer he was !


RE: David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 06-01-2017

mermaid,
David Lewiston wasn't himself a performer, he traveled the world to record local musicians, so often his name will only appear in the liner notes.

Many of the albums he recorded were released on the Nonesuch Explorer label, here are a few of my favorites:

Music from the Morning of the World: The Balinese Gamelan / Ketjak: The Ramayana Monkey Chant
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Morning-World-Balinese-Ramayana/dp/B000005IZB/ref=lp_283862_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1496344201&sr=1-1

Japan: Shakuhachi: The Japanese Flute
http://www.nonesuch.com/albums/japan-shakuhachi-the-japanese-flute


RE: David Lewiston, World Music Pioneer - mermaid53 - 06-01-2017

Mahalo HOTPE...yes, I was aware he wasn't himself performing but recording...trekking around the world off the beaten path was no easy task! But obviously no task to David Lewiston, who was passionate about discovery in travel and music.

It can be difficult enough recording music in a controlled environment such as a recording studio w/sev musicians, engineers and egos to boot...and to think what obstacles and hardships he must've encountered. Perhaps w/a smile on his face?