音樂旅人

Music Voyager travels to Jerusalem and northern Israel to discover the sights and sounds of a region rich with ancient history and religious significance. Israel is a land of contrasts and conflicts: between tradition and modernity, war and peace, spirituality and secularism. The popular band Hadag Nahash blends hip-hop, funk and soul with politically expedient Hebrew lyrics to draw attention to the complex issues facing Israeli society. The band gives Music Voyager a stripped down performance at the picturesque Mahane Yehuda market in Jersualem, then invites us for drinks and conversation at the lead singer’s pub. We visit leading Shephardic singer Yasmin Levy at her home on the outskirts of the city, where she performs songs in the Spanish-derived Ladino language. Leading singer-songwriter David Broza invites to visit a village devoted to peace between Arabs and Jews that was founded by his grandfather. Broza performs amidst the vines of his family winery, then takes us to an informal jam session with Palestinian musicians in East Jerusalem. We travel to the Galilee region of northern Israel for a visit to Tzfat, an epicenter of the mystical Kaballah and the world’s largest klezmer music festival. Music Voyager journeys to the ancient and scenic port of Akko, before meeting up with Israeli star Mosh Ben-Ari for an unplugged performance in the magnificent Roman Theater at Caesarea. Mosh takes us to his home and farm where we learn of his love for the land and the importance of agriculture in the history and identity of Israelis.

Music Voyager travels to Israel to attend a once-in-a-lifetime concert of The Idan Raichel Project at the foot of the magnificent “Solomon’s Pillars”, a natural rock formation in the Negev Desert near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat. Our guide is Idan Raichel, an internationally renowned star of the Israeli music scene. At the technical rehearsals and sound check for the desert concert we are introduced to the artists featured on stage. Idan performs with Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade on the edge of a stunning cliff. Ravid Kahalani performs in an unplugged session with members of his side project Yemen Blues and tells us about the unique history and music of the Yemenite community. Cabra Casey, another lead voice in the Idan Raichel Project, introduces us to the fascinating story of Israel’s Ethiopian immigrants. 

Idan takes us to the Dead Sea, where host Jacob Edgar interviews Idan while they are floating in the salty waters. Idan and Music Voyager travel to Jerusalem for a visit to the Wailing Wall and a magnificent private home overlooking the Old City. The episode culminates with a song featuring the full project from the live concert in the desert.

The singer-songwriter embodies the unique and profitable symbiotic relationship between the stars of country music and the artists who work behind the scenes to create the words and melodies that power the industry. Some of most prolific and successful songwriters live in and around Nashville, Tennessee. Music Voyager invites four of the very best to trade songs in a "round" for an intimate and rare performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Revered singer-songwriters Buddy Miller, Darrel Scott, Elizabeth Cook and Guy Clark are featured in this first-ever Music Voyager special.

Nashville is known as “Music City” and this episode of Music Voyager reveals why. Famous as the capital of country music, Nashville is also home to some of the world’s top singer-songwriters, rock and pop bands. No visit to Nashville would be complete without checking out the Grand Ole Opry, and our host is non other then Vince Gill, one of the biggest names in country music. Elizabeth Miller performs for us at a funky bar in East Nashville, the bohemian district that is home to many of the city’s musicians. We check out Music Row, the epicenter of Nashville’s music business with a visit to Compass Records, and then tour Gruhn Guitars, which supplies vintage gear to the world’s top musicians. Virtuoso banjo player Alison Brown demonstrates her musical talents, then Music Voyager visits the legendary Bluebird Cafe where stars such as Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift got their start. We pass by the home of Jamie Johnson from the bluegrass band The Grascals for a moving performance of their hit song “I Am Strong”. Local songwriters Gabe Dixon and Casey Wasner, contemporary blues singer Keb Mo’ and indie rock band Those Darlins show us there is much more to the Nashville scene then country music.

Memphis has played an important role in the history of blues, rock and roll and soul music, not to mention being the hometown of one of popular music’s greatest icons: Elvis. We experience the meeting of young and old generations of the blues when veteran Bobby “Blue” Bland jams with young guitar wizard 17-year old Will Tucker. The elder statesman schools the young Tucker in the finer points of the blues, before a scorching performance at the B.B. King nightclub on Memphis’s famous Beale Street. Brandon Bailey shows us how blues is heading in new directions, with his unique blend of harmonica with beat boxing, and the North Mississippi All Stars give us a down and dirty blues-rock jam at one of Memphis’ hippest record stores. Music Voyager arrives in Memphis during “Elvis Week”, an annual remembrance of the King of Rock and Roll that takes place around the anniversary of his death. We visit Sun Studios, where Elvis made his first recordings, and discover that the studio’s current sound engineer has a great band himself, the Bluff City Backsliders. We attend the candlelight vigil in front of Graceland, and interview some of the thousands of Elvis fans that travel hear from around the world to find out why The King is so special to them, followed by a gospel tribute by the Spirit of Memphis Gospel Ensemble. Music Voyager also explores the sound of Memphis soul music with The Bo-Keys and a visit to the Stax Museum. Young singer-songwriter Amy Lavere demonstrates the diversity of the contemporary Memphis music scene, while up-and-coming hip-hop stars Freesol, who were just signed to Memphis-native Justin Timberlake’s label, discuss the local urban sound.

Music Voyager starts its Tennessee journey in Bristol, a city in the northeast corner of the state that proudly claims to be the Birthplace of Country Music. We visit Georgia Warren, who at 96 years young is the last surviving participant of the legendary “Bristol Sessions” of 1927, which introduced the sounds of Appalachia to a wide audience and set the foundation for the growing popularity of country music across the nation. While in Bristol, we catch a street performance by musical nomads Megan Jean & the KFB and check out the Knoxville band The Black Lillies performing at one of Bristol’s many outdoor concerts. We explore Bristol’s other sites, including the Bristol Motor Speedway, as our host Jacob Edgar tests out a pace car on one of NASCAR’s most exciting tracks. From Bristol, Music Voyager heads to Knoxville for a visit to the legendary “Blue Plate Special”, a live radio program that features the best in local music. Singer-songwriters Scott Miller and R.B. Morris show us around their hometown. We also learn how far Appalachian music has evolved with an unplugged performance by up-and-coming country stars The Roys. Finally, we pass through the revitalized city of Chattanooga, home to the New Binkley Brothers who reveal that old time music isn’t just for old folks. We also meet local dulcimer wizard Dan Landrum who performs with the country rock band Yarn. 

The beautiful Caribbean coast of Colombia is the birthplace of the iconic Colombian rhythm, cumbia, which has gained popularity across Latin America. The Music Voyager team visits Cartagena, filming acclaimed artist Totó la Momposina performing with her band on the beach as local children join in the dancing. Cartagena is also a hub for champeta music, which blends contemporary African styles with Latin and Caribbean influences. The team interacts with local stars like Louis Towers, producer Lucas Silva, and sound engineer Charles King, exploring the historic yet vibrant city from the old town to the beaches of La Boquilla.

Music Voyager journeys through Colombia, visiting Valledupar and Barranquilla. In Valledupar, they meet superstar Fonseca and the "King of Kings" of accordion, and join the "Little Vallenato Children" for a performance. In the port city of Barranquilla, the team tours the carnival rehearsals with singer Erika Muñoz, and legendary artist Joe Arroyo performs in a library. This trip showcases the rich geography, culture, and music of Colombia.

Colombian music embraces fusion, blending traditional rhythms with electronic beats. Music Voyager explores this trend in Bogotá, starting with an energetic street performance by La Mojarra Eléctrica. We meet DJ Richard Blaire, a pioneer of electrotropical music, and experience Systema Solar's funky sound at Andrés Carne de Res. Bomba Estéreo's founder, Simon Mejia, introduces us to their popular electrotropical style at Gaira restaurant, which doubles as a Colombian music museum.

Medellín, infamous as Pablo Escobar's home, is now a thriving city in a beautiful mountain valley. We visit a local hip-hop school and community center, witnessing a freestyle display by Crew Peligroso. J. Balvin invites us to his penthouse for a private performance, followed by a visit to El Cielo restaurant. We explore Discos Fuentes, a pioneering record label, and perform with Puerto Candelaria, a unique jazz band bringing creativity to Colombian cumbia.