The theme for this month's Random Gems selection was inspired by Susana Baca, who was recently appointed the Peruvian Minister of Culture.

Politics and social commentary have inspired songs like Strange Fruit and We Shall Overcome. Many musicians have influenced and driven social commentary from an anti-establishment soapbox (not to trivialise their contribution). These days its Bono and Chris Martin. Thirty years ago it was Bob Geldof and John Lennon, not to mention Fela Kuti [1].

With more celebrity attention on them, an increasing number of musicians are making (or at least trying to make their mark) on politics [2].

Here are some of my favourites.

The player: Susana Baca

Susana Baca [3] has been the Peruvian Minister of Culture since July 2011, but more importantly she has been an amazing muscian and a stunning live act that I was lucky to see at WOMAD Singapore in 2006. The YouTube clip below is a poor substitute for watching and listening to her live.

Where to buy:  or on Amazon

The player: Dana Scallon

A lifetime prior to running in the 1997 Irish presidential elections [4], Dana Rosemary Scallon won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest [5]. According to www.dana-music.com, she campaigned on protecting the Christian family values and life enshrined in the Irish Constitution [6], something apparently the Irish didn't want. In 1999 she was elected to the European Parliament.

The song: Fairytale

I first heard this song in a Sri Lankan nightclub, where it was quite popular for a short time. Fortunatly Fairytale isn't a comment on the Theory of Evolution.

Where to buy:

The player: Ignacy Jan Paderewski

Paderewski (as I refer to him) had a successful career as a pianist in the first half of the 20th century. At the same time, he managed to hold on to several part time jobs as composer, diplomat and the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland [7]. He even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Anyone who studied the piano (or had a neighbour who did) will instantly recognise his charming Minuet in G.

Where to buy: 

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fela_Kuti#Political_views
2. http://stlouis.metromix.com/music/standard_photo_gallery/top-15-musicians-turned/2120661/photo/all
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susana_Baca http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Rosemary_Scallon
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1970
5. http://www.dana-music.com/about-dana-catholic-music.html
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignacy_Jan_Paderewski