Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens singing 'Umama Ithembalami' opens Joe's U session. Great bit about the influence of Jet Harris on the development of South African township music.
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A very interesting episode - especially as you say on the influence of Jet Harris and also the very early Miriam Makeba as a part of the Skylarks plus a reminder of the political position of the Zulus vis a vis the ANC. Mahlathini had an extraordinary voice.Originally posted by johncorrigan View PostComment
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He certainly did and some of this may highlight some of the extra criticism that Paul Simon got from the ANC at the time of, and after, 'Graceland', Lat. I remember when that very good documentary aired on 'Imagine' on the Beeb a couple of years back that I was confused about the continuing criticism of Simon still coming from some quarters of the ANC. I hadn't picked that up. Wonder if Joe will get his book of World Music finished ever.Originally posted by Lat-Literal View Post
By the way, Lat, I know you're a fan...did you notice that Nitin Sawney is doing Jeff Buckley as his 'Great Lives' tomorrow afternoon on Rad4?
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I picked up on his reference to the book. That should be a very good read. One day I hope to read CG's book in full too. My understanding of the criticism of Paul Simon has been focussed on where the Graceland project sat in relation to the boycott on Sun City etc so, yes, this episode from Joe provided additional information. In its defence, I have always cited the work of Johnny Clegg although the nuances were different - eg he is not American - and, of course, there is a lot to be said for a well-meaning collaborative approach. Thanks for highlighting "Great Lives" about which I was unaware. I will be listening to it. I did have one of Nitin's CDs in my collection too although I'm not sure that I still own it.Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post
Many western artists are influenced by other people. Dylan's influences are well-known but less obviously there are tracks by Bowie on Hunky Dory etc which would not have been lyrically as they were had it not been for Dylan. In vocal technique, Jeff Buckley displayed knowledge of Nusrat and I would expect that aspect to be mentioned in the programme.Last edited by Lat-Literal; 18-01-16, 13:31.Comment
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Not just western artists, Lat - Natalie Merchant was the guest playlist-picker on Songlines this issue and she chose 5 top tracks, I thought, all by women. 'Kanou' by Fatoumata Diawara was one that had me thinking that she'd had her Nusrat records out of the sleeve.Originally posted by Lat-Literal View Post
And re Bob's influence on JB, Cerys played a version of 'Just like a Woman' by Jeff from a forthcoming release. Think it was this one.
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Yes indeed, JC, on point 1.Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post
I like the link.
There is also a version of "Just Like a Woman" on JB's patchy "Live at Sin-E".
The "Great Lives" programme was quite interesting. Nusrat was mentioned in the first minute!
A shame that they didn't play any of "A Satisfied Mind" although they referred to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpfkLDLE_pU
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It's Friday and it's V on the JB AtoZ, and once again I'm in the area of the unknown. Blackgirls featuring the voice of Dana Kletter who Joe thinks will one day be discovered as he's been trying to get her discovered for years. I like that Joe talks of the things that don't work out, but he celebrates them still.
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I hadn't heard of them, JC.Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post
They sound very contemporary and apparently Dana Kletter is 56 so they may get more airplay in the future.Comment
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Haven't managed to get onto Joe's podcast so far - W seems not to be responding for the moment. In the meantime I had a look at Joe's bits of youtube surrounding 'White Bicycles' and found this video of The Monotones' Book of Love. Great stuff...always think it set the tone for the movie 'American Graffiti'.Comment
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I quite like it without the video link JC, could be a new trend?Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post
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Originally posted by Globaltruth View PostI quite like it without the video link JC, could be a new trend?
...it is a good idea innit Global!Comment
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I wonder who chose that inappropriate group name JC?Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post
Sharp suits, great moves as well as crisp vocals.
anyway, they were copied by...
(who I saw live when they performed with Captain Beefheart. They were both on Buddah records which probably had something to do with the seemingly odd pairing.)
But you do have to think about the Monotones (and many others) and their links with this kind of singing (both pretty wonderful no matter what belief system you subscribe to):
(about 14 mins in)Comment
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Incredibly, I have managed to access JB's W and X but then I listened to those gospel singers first. X is not for monotone but rather overtone as in overtone singing. Joe chooses titles for his letters so he dug out a couple of songs that start with the word "Xoomij" - or so it says on his website - which he pronounced "xoomji". That. of course, is pretty close to "xoomi" which was the word for overtone singing that we selected as the x for our list. I suspect that the discrepancies in spelling or pronunciation are merely there to obscure the sheer extent of the influence of our forum in 2016. Anyhow, it was an interesting episode and its most memorable moment was Yat Kha's version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Whether it is the best cover version I don't know but it beats that of Nouvelle Vague and it would leave Hook and Sumner nonplussed. The W was for "Willow Weep For Me" and it focussed on Dave Fathead's Newman's wonderful R and B Jazz alto sax as performed with Ray Charles and others. I loved it and I might now listen to the Ray Charles album in full.Originally posted by Globaltruth View PostI wonder who chose that inappropriate group name JC?
Sharp suits, great moves as well as crisp vocals.
anyway, they were copied by...
(who I saw live when they performed with Captain Beefheart. They were both on Buddah records which probably had something to do with the seemingly odd pairing.)
But you do have to think about the Monotones (and many others) and their links with this kind of singing (both pretty wonderful no matter what belief system you subscribe to):
(about 14 mins in)Comment
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At last, Lat, I managed to get re-connected to the A-Z. Great to hear that I was not alone in being introduced to throat singing by the great Richard Feynmann in the great Horizon doc, The Quest for Tannu Tuva.Originally posted by Lat-Literal View Post
But Y is 'Yankina Mama Dumashe' by the magnificent Yanka Rupkina, and of course Joe worked with her and offers another great insight into world music.
Next week's Z...he teases: 'Is my A-Z linear or circular?'...Hopefully the latter.Comment
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Quite simply, this is among the most beautiful music ever recorded. I hadn't realised that Joe Boyd was partially influential in making it commercially available - he really has covered a lot of ground - or that its modern origins went back so many decades. I am wondering now about the extent to which his and Peter Gabriel's paths have crossed?Originally posted by johncorrigan View PostAt last, Lat, I managed to get re-connected to the A-Z. Great to hear that I was not alone in being introduced to throat singing by the great Richard Feynmann in the great Horizon doc, The Quest for Tannu Tuva.
But Y is 'Yankina Mama Dumashe' by the magnificent Yanka Rupkina, and of course Joe worked with her and offers another great insight into world music.
Next week's Z...he teases: 'Is my A-Z linear or circular?'...Hopefully the latter.
There might be something to be said for looking into whether there are significant polyphonic etc strands in music in Romania and Moldova up to Ukraine, Russia and Georgia and also in Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro towards Italy, Corsica and Sardinia. On the surface, the historical courses of this great music and any linkages are less than obvious and geographically patchy so it would be an interesting exercise to undertake. I'm not sure what to make of the inclusion of Percy Sledge other than it highlighted the Bulgarian music is of the soul. And, of course, it was heartwarming to hear how JB had helped one of the singers if sad that her immense talent hadn't been sufficient to prevent economic hardship.Comment
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