Karaoke Around the World: Global Technology, Local Singing but at $160 I’d rather experience a few nights of debauchery instead. Like this one:
However, the very global chapter titles include “Karaoke in Italy,” “Swedish forms of karaoke,” and “Karaoke and Middle Aged Woman in Japan.” Dying to know!
February 4th, 2010 - 11:30 am
haha! that picture is awesome!
oh john…
xo p
February 4th, 2010 - 4:19 pm
While I haven’t read the book, I’m guessing that the “Swedish forms of Karaoke” might touch the subject of “Allsång”, which is basically big outdoor sing-a-longs in parks and such, enjoyed mostly by the elderly.
Also, I loved your book! I read it during my stay in LA, and it made my commute by bus a lot more fun.
February 4th, 2010 - 5:10 pm
hi p! john is a pimp in this pic.
hello Tilde! Allsång sounds delightful. Why is it only enjoyed by the elderly? Why shouldn’t everyone partake is such fun? And thanks for reading the book! hope public transit in LA wasn’t too traumatic.
r
February 7th, 2010 - 2:29 pm
Thanks for replying to my comment!
And I think younger people are discouraged from participating in allsång mostly because of the songs that are typically sung are old folk songs or from the earlier part of the 20th century, which means they are less likely to know the lyrics.
There is however one exception, the biggest Allsång (called Allsång på Skansen) and the best known one is in a zoo in Stockholm every summer and it’s aired on tv. For that one they try to invite young celebrities and what not to bring a younger crowd, but they don’t actually show the lyrics on those performances, so the sing-a-long aspect is a little lost then. Here’s an example from last year’s show, where they sing a fairly old song; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWly8E2kwBo
Oh and, public transit in LA isn’t too bad, it gave me plenty of time to read.