sounds of Niger
Mdou Moctar, “à la maison,” live, Niger (Ingall), 2013
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lagniappe
reading table
Neither question nor assertion makes sense / when truth is a tone of voice.
—Karen Solie, “Interior” (The Road In Is Not the Same Road Out)
sounds of South Africa
Fantasma, “Basbizile,” live, London, 2015
***
Another take (Free Love, 2015)
sounds of Malawi
The Very Best with Mafalika, “Let’s Go,” live, Malawi (Kumbali Village), 2/15
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Another take (Makes a King, 4/15)
sounds of Ghana
Prince Buju (vocals, kologo), “In the War,” live, Ghana (Accra), 2014
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lagniappe
reading table
[W]hat counted was how you behaved while death let you live, and how you met death when life released you.
—Edith Pearlman, “Blessed Harry” (Honeydew)
These guys I could listen to all day.
Kelin-Kelin’ Orchestra (with Brice Wassy, drums, vocals), “Me Feeh” (B. Wassy), live, Paris, 2013
more sounds of Mali
Toumani Diabate (kora), live, India (New Delhi), 2011
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lagniappe
random thoughts
If today is the answer, what is the question?
*****
taking a break
I’m taking some time off—back in a while.
sounds of Mali (day four)
Tinariwen, live, Paris, 2011
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lagniappe
reading table
It was what it might have been to be alive, but tenderly.
—Lucie Brock-Broido, “A Meadow” (Stay, Illusion)
sounds of Mali (day three)
Ballake Sissoko (kora) and Vincent Segal (cello), live, Washington D.C., 2011
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lagniappe
random thoughts
Perpetual astonishment is one plausible response to being alive in this world. Abject despair is another. The list goes on.
sounds of Mali (day two)
Trio Da Kali and Kronos Quartet, “Diaraby,” live, University of Maryland, 2014
sounds of Mali (day one)
Africa Express, “Terry Riley’s in C Mali,” 2013-15
I am overwhelmed and delighted by this CD. I was not quite prepared for such an incredible journey, hearing the soul of Africa in joyous flight over those 53 patterns of ‘In C’. This ensemble feeds the piece with ancient threads of musical wisdom and humanity indicating to me that this work is a vessel ready to receive and be shaped by the spontaneous feelings and colours of the magician/musician. I could not ask for a greater gift for this daughter’s 50th birthday.
—Terry Riley (1935-)
music clip of the day 