Africa - A Journey into Music

[ardcarp]

Anyone watching this?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5hjt4

Tonight's episode had a mixture of 'harmony singing' which was probably influenced by Christian missionaries (though this wasn't mentioned on the programme) and of traditional monody with indigenous drone instruments. I found the latter absolutely fascinating, especially sung in Xhosa, a click language.

[johncorrigan]

Anyone watching this?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5hjt4

Tonight's episode had a mixture of 'harmony singing' which was probably influenced by Christian missionaries (though this wasn't mentioned on the programme) and of traditional monody with indigenous drone instruments. I found the latter absolutely fascinating, especially sung in Xhosa, a click language.

There's a bit of comment on 'A quick glance around the schedules', ardcarp, but thanks for starting a thread. I loved the Nigeria programme last week. Rita's a fine tour guide. Loved the Miariam Makeba clip from Wogan, tonight; and some of the dancing was epic. Great programme...Mali next week.

[ardcarp]

Mali next week.

Yes really looking forward to it. Mali (along with Senegal and Gambia) is reputed to have a tradition of quite complex music, possibly less influenced by Europe. I don't know much about it, so am eager to learn......

[johncorrigan]

Yes really looking forward to it. Mali (along with Senegal and Gambia) is reputed to have a tradition of quite complex music, possibly less influenced by Europe. I don't know much about it, so am eager to learn......

Looking forward to it, ardcarp. Here's Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko from the wonderful record 'New Ancient Strings', called that after their fathers had recorded together the first kora record, I seem to recall, called 'Ancient Strings'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqyWdUpGJ4o

There is also a fair bit of music from Mali on the World Music Archive from Duran and Kershaw's various journeys.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1QYgDsWdg6pfC7gSf3VCSD7/world-music-archive

[Bryn]

Anyone watching this?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5hjt4

Tonight's episode had a mixture of 'harmony singing' which was probably influenced by Christian missionaries (though this wasn't mentioned on the programme) and of traditional monody with indigenous drone instruments. I found the latter absolutely fascinating, especially sung in Xhosa, a click language.

I wasn't, as I knew not of it. Thank goodness for the iPlayer, and get_ . . .

[ardcarp]

And I knew not of the BBC World Music Archive. Wow. Lots to explore there.

[Globaltruth]

Rita Ray was hosting Global Beats on the World Service from time to time.

You may wonder why there is no dedicated thread for Global Beats.
I think we should ask the host.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/search?filter=programmes&q=global+beats

There are podcasts too:

https://soundcloud.com/eugene-oppong-ampadu/bbc-global-beats-kyekyeku-and-other-ghanaian-artists-interviewed-by-rita-ray

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cswhwj

Her enthusiasm and deep knowledge transfers v well to the screen I think...why has she never presented World on 3?

[johncorrigan]

That was one fab programme tonight...best of what has been a terrific series for Friday Night is Music Night.
Here's a spot of non-griot giants, Boubacar and Ali Farka:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4-uq8cTF7o

[ardcarp]

That was one fab programme tonight...best of what has been a terrific series for Friday Night is Music Night.
Here's a spot of non-griot giants, Boubacar and Ali Farka:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4-uq8cTF7o

Agreed. What a wonderful programme. Incredible that an age-old tradition is still embedded in Malian society. The dexterity on those apparently flimsy instruments just beggars belief.