How does music tastes differ from country to county?

I was in Turkey when Bob Dylan received the Nobel Price for Literature and mentioned it to some people I chatted with one evening, asking what they thought about it. They all had to google him, having never heard the name before.

So yeah, musical tastes vary widely and Western music is very, very far from being as universal as many appear to believe.

"So yeah, musical tastes vary widely and Western music is very, very far from being as universal as many appear to believe."

I for one am relieved to hear that, as I’m glad other cultures may have largely escaped the force-fed diet we have here of pop culture. And, yes, I fully appreciate that that is not really at all what you were trying to imply - that we should export it wholesale...nor do I think Dylan is so much pop-culture noise by any means.

But, if other cultures, written and oral can largely escape that kind commercialism, then all the better for the world, I’d say. I’d certainly hate for the entire world to know only one kind of music.

The JVC World Sounds CD series has been a joy to collect and listen to for me, I have more than 30 discs and counting. For the curious type audiophile that I am, it’s been great for me to see how the other half rolls in this grand ol’ world.

'...it's been great for me to see how the other half rolls in this grand ol' world."

An insensitive figure of speech, given the moment - (I hope that can be pardoned). 

But, I keep placing my faith that this, too, shall pass.

An Indian raga speak to the heart like a Muddy Waters blues when you learn to listen to it with an unknown part of your heart dedicated to it....Different music, same heart.... The heart is too complex to beat on the same rhythm forever....

Amen to that.