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Mao Mao Yu – Li Minghui

The story of a 1920s Chinese Jazz hit and its starlet singer, which helped to promote the new national language of China.

Mao Mao Yu or ‘Drizzle’ sung by Li Minghui reflects how female singers in China in the 1920s had to do so in a childish voice to avoid accusations of lewdness. Musicologist Simon Zagorski-Thomas talks to author Andrew Jones about the golden age of Chinese jazz and the rise of nationalism which often used popular music to promote the new language of China years before the Cultural Revolution.

Produced by Rami Tzabar for 91¸£ÀûÉç World Service.

Image: Record label artwork, 91¸£ÀûÉç

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9 minutes

Last on

Mon 25 Feb 2019 04:50GMT
91¸£ÀûÉç World Service South Asia

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    91¸£ÀûÉç World Service South Asia