AfroPulse Concert Newsletter for July

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Jul 26 2002       AfroPulse Concert News      Volume 2 Issue 5
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Contents:
   Malian Invasion
   Soukous Smash
   Fall rumors
   
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Malian Invasion

There is a full on invasion of Malian musicians coming to LA
over the next few weeks!  The excitement starts on Saturday,
July 27 at the Watercourt at California Plaza downtown.  Grand
Performances features a double-header with Amadou et Mariam,
a married couple who together sing about life and love, followed
by the Super Rail Band.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/venues/calplaza.html

Amadou et Mariam met while attending a school for the blind.
They fell in love and married against the wishes of their
families.  They have several children and have begun to gain
recognition worldwide for their unique blend of Malian music,
danceable ballad pop and common experiences that many can
relate to. They sing of families, life, love, fate, parties,
tradition and just about anything else that is part of the
everyday human experience. Their music unfolds like life --
you can recognize the continuity from day to day, but details
change enough to make things interesting. If you don't feel
the emotion in their music you are not listening to it with
the ears of common existence. This is their first Los Angeles
appearance.

The Super Rail Band features the premiere guitarist in all of
Africa, Djelimady Tounkara. The Rail Band started in 1970
launching the careers of Salif Keita and Mory Kante, but it
was based on the earlier independence of West African nations
and a government sponsored attempt to re-embrace national
identity. Their take on music is a blend of traditional and
modern dance music with a familiar Manding flavor. If you are
the slightest bit a dancer, you will be on your feet -- if not
the lead singers provide plenty of fancy footwork to entertain
you.

Afropop Worldwide has a background story on The Super Rail Band at
http://www.afropop.org/explore/band_info/ID/105/Super+Rail+Band?lang=gb

This is a must see concert!  If you miss this free concert,
you will have to trek all the way to San Juan Capistrano to see
Amadou et Mariam on Sunday, July 28.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/venues/capistrano.html


But wait there's more!  Next Thursday, August 1 Skirball Center
will feature Rokia Troaré.  She is the new voice of Mali having
been on several Top 10 lists for her CD Wanita last year. She
uses a minimal band and includes traditional Malian instruments
and sounds, but her real talent is singing and dancing that will
mesmerize the audience.

Also come back the following week for D'Gary and some Malagasy
acoustic folk by another of Africa's great guitarists.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/venues/skirball.html

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Soukous Smash

Once again the Ford Amphitheatre hosts the annual African
Village Festival.  This year it will be on Saturday, August 3
and features the ever popular Kanda Bongo Man.  Only "Odd Job"
from James Bond movie fame has been more well known for his
broad-rimmed hat. As impeccably dressed as he might appear, there
is no question that he will risk scuffing his shoes in showing
off the Kwassa-Kwassa.  My favorite place to dance is on the
second stage behind the band during their performance.  You
don't even have to bring a partner, just jump on stage and you
are sure to have someone dancing with you in no time!  Opening
the show is LA's Taumbu International and also the Brazilian
Women of the Drum.

http://www.afrodicia.com/

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Fall Rumors

Stay tuned because next month I will reveal the details for the
latest shows coming: Antibalas in Sept at the El Rey, Awilo
Longomba in Sept / Oct, Salif Keita in October and for Calypso
fans a tribute to Kitch (Lord Kitchener) featuring the Mighty
Sparrow and Calypso Rose.

Other shows during August include Lucky Dube and Zap Mama on
two separate dates at the Hollywood Bowl, Angelique Kidjo at
the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, and The Mahotella
Queens at The Library at San Juan Capistrano.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/aug2002inx.html

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Until next month keep your feet moving and your hips shaking!

jay