Dutch Music

Today’s entry is a cultural extravaganza into the world of Dutch music. Now that I have been spending more time in the car (yes, I am back at work), and speaking more Dutch, I’ve been listening to a radio station called “100% NL”. Most other stations play music from around the world, and of course the USA is a juggernaut in music so we hear all the latest from the states. But 100% NL only plays music from Dutch artists. I got to thinking that folks back in the states might never have heard Dutch music (or at least realized that they were hearing it), so I thought that I’d put together a little compilation from YouTube of some fairly representative music out of Holland.

We’ll go in a little bit of a chronological order, so I’ll start with one that you all will know, but maybe didn’t realize was Dutch. Yes, it’s old, but this band was to the Netherlands what ABBA was to Sweden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGdSmNnz2ZA

Of course the Dutch also had the classic rockers who didn’t survive, yet are a time honored memory for those of us over 35. Herman Brood was one of these classic rockers and also a fairly renowned painter…until he swan-dove off a balcony of a hotel in Amsterdam. I’m curious if any of you older readers have ever heard of him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mEjmWnihrc&feature=related

And then there were the 80’s. This band was very popular in the “new wave” genre and their music is still played by cover bands over here today. Doe Maar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhSbaiUF3OQ&feature=related

The Dijk is a more traditional band out of the late 70’s/80s, kind of a mix between Jimmy Buffet and The Eagles. We’ve seen them in concert over here and people go crazy.
De Dijk – groot hart - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVa8JIZ-lik&feature=related

Marco Borsato is the Niel Diamond/Billy Joel of The Netherlands. This song is classic Borsato and if played, really, really loud is actually very good. It’s a love song, with the title “Red”. By the way, for those of you who asked about the last post in my Venice blog entry - this Borsato video is filmed in a concert venue in Amsterdam called “Paradiso”. It’s an old church that was converted to a music hall back in the 60’s. The stained glass windows still frame the stage. This place has hosted the likes of The Doors and The Rolling Stones among others. It’s a fantastic, intimate venue for a concert. Beth just asked me to add that "Rood" is her favorite Dutch song.
Rood - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCti-yENAG0&feature=related


And then there is contemporary pop…lot’s of it. This is a great little number by the band Leaf. Are they playing it in the states? It’s simple, and not very deep, but very catchy and is getting a lot of air-time over here. Notice the quality difference in the video production….just can’t compete with Hollywood…but the tune is great. One of my favorites currently playing on the radio’s here. Leaf - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDFTlw3BfTM


Dance/DJ music is also wildly popular over here and The Netherlands hosts some of the largest/wildest dance festivals in Europe. Our friend Barry is really into that scene and has produced this little clip on YouTube. BTW – the festival in this film is held in one of Sage’s favorite parks where we trained with her for the Amsterdam Marathon. Barry – maybe you can post a link to a well-known Dutch artist in this genre? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sftu73mOsqc