World Music Gift Ideas for the Hard to Shop For

Holiday shopping for me is always pretty easy: I'm pretty up-to-date on the best in obscure music, and I'm pretty good at matching a person (or personality) with a CD that they'll love. Give this list a try: it includes ideas for several of those hard-to-shop-for folks.

The Foodie: Putumayo Presents Music from the Wine Lands

I admit that I fall into the foodie category. However, while I'm preparing absurdly large and overly-elaborate meals, I often find myself forgetting to pick a CD to play while I serve them, and just asking whoever is closest to the stereo to put something on. The problem was solved when I found this Putumayo CD, which covers a range of countries, presenting a song or two from each major wine-growing region. It pairs nicely with any meal. (Compare Prices)

The Frequent Flyer: Global Minstrels by Elijah Wald

The majority of people who travel regularly, for work or pleasure, know the value of a good airport read. These books should be captivating, but not too difficult, easy to get back into after an interruption or distraction, and full of excitement. It's not quite The DaVinci Code, but Elijah Wald's book, a collection of vignettes and interviews with some of World Music's greatest stars, is an absolute page-turner. The reader learns about more than music, but also the cultures from which many of these musicians came. (Compare Prices)

The Exerciser: KAL

I try not to be friends with too many of these people. They're always trying to get me to go to the gym and they give me funny looks when I eat a pound of bacon in one sitting. However, a few of them have made their way into my inner circle, so I need to pick up a holiday gift for them. Kal comes from Belgrade, and moves far forward with ancient Roma and Balkan traditions. The sounds are pure Gypsy, but they're layered over thick beats. It's far more interesting than the generic exercise music that always plays in the gym. (Compare Prices)

The New Mom: Putumayo Presents Asian Dreamland

I'm getting to be that age where many of my friends are beginning to turn to the dark side, carrying strange little noisemaking humanesque beings on shopping trips and to coffee dates. I'm not entirely sure of the appeal, but I do know that the fair-to-middlin' (at best) offerings in the realm of children's music can't possibly be part of it. So get that new Mom (or Dad) a copy of Putumayo's Asian Dreamland. They'll actually enjoy the soft but stunning Asian lullabies, and the baby will go to sleep... perfect! (Compare Prices)

The Teenager: Balkan Beat Box

Teenagers hate everything. There are two strategies to dealing with this issue: the first one is to buy them something that you want, so when they discard it a few minutes later, you can help yourself. The other strategy is to get them something that they actually might like Balkan Beat Box is certainly worth an attempt, especially if they're into hip-hop or electronic music. You'll broaden their worldview without them even noticing and they'll have a new CD that they love. (Compare Prices)

The Rock Snob: Golem - Fresh Off Boat

He hasn't shaved in a week. Most of his clothing is meant as an ironic statement. He likes to wax poetic for hours on end about the Smiths. You like to look at him funny, but since he's your relative (why else would you keep one of these around?) you are required by family law to purchase a gift for him. Try Golem, a band that has been getting a great deal of buzz on both the world music scene (they play souped-up klezmer) and the punk music scene. Again, the coolness factor comes into play here, but the quality is there as well. (Compare Prices)

The Girlfriend: - Putumayo Presents Paris

What she really wants is a trip to Paris, but as budgets and time constraints come into play, that might not be possible. Why not give her this glamorous collection of Paris Cafe music with a coupon for one homemade French dinner (or Chinese takeout, but make sure there are candles, at least). Wow her with your sense of classic romance. I promise I won't tell her that it was actually my idea. (Compare Prices)

The Sophisticate: Mamadou Diabate - Heritage

You know the ones: their idea of a bangin' concert involves a string quartet and they spend more money on one tie than you do on rent. Their taste in everything is flawless, thus making them the hardest people to shop for ever - especially on a budget! This CD, from Malian kora master Mamadou Diabate is deeply traditional, yet will find devoted fans in both jazz and classical music listeners. It's incredibly refined and elegant, and still totally fresh and listenable. (Compare Prices)

The New Ager: Loreena McKennitt - An Ancient Muse

You will undoubtedly receive healing crystals or a chakra therapy kit from them for the holidays. Finding something for them can be a nightmare, though, especially if you are not fully read up on their specific belief system. The latest CD from Loreena McKennitt, An Ancient Muse, might just do the trick, though. It's meditative and intense, but it's still darn good music and they'll love it. (Compare Prices)

The Dude: Borat Soundtrack

Okay, if your Dude is anything like the Dudes I know, he listens almost exclusively to the same exact bands he's been listening to since high school. However, when I went to see Borat the other week, my sister and I were the only females in the packed theatre. The rest were all Dudes. The Borat soundtrack is surprisingly impressive, with several Central Asian folksongs, as well as Kazakhstani versions of American pop songs. While it might not become a regular fixture in your Dude's CD rotation, he'll appreciate the humor, and maybe actually get turned on to a totally different genre of music. High five! (Compare Prices)