Lopa's Wo3

[johncorrigan]

In my opinion, they should get Vusi Mahlasela and have him present 'Thought for the Day' every day and then play one of his tunes - that would set me up for any day. Terrific music, terrific guy - he left Lopa rather speechless. Wonderful stuff!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hrjxf

[Lateralthinking1]

In my opinion, they should get Vusi Mahlasela and have him present 'Thought for the Day' every day and then play one of his tunes - that would set me up for any day. Terrific music, terrific guy - he left Lopa rather speechless. Wonderful stuff!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hrjxf

I agree. He is a very uplifting person. The two things I find really interesting about his music - 1. Very distinctive phrasing that goes way beyond mere accent and 2. Lyrics that are unusually, for music, like the way a person speaks - very direct somehow.

This was a strong programme. The good stuff far outweighed the bad. It was varied, vibrant and interesting. Well done to Lopa and everyone else involved.

[johncorrigan]

I agree. He is a very uplifting person. The two things I find really interesting about his music - 1. Very distinctive phrasing that goes way beyond mere accent and 2. Lyrics that are unusually, for music, like the way a person speaks - very direct somehow.

In delivery he reminds me a bit of SE Rogie, Lat - he has such a moving voice. I liked what he talked about - the importance of the 'Grandfathers of Humanity' of his country as he termed Mandela, Tutu and also Gandhi - left me wondering who they might be in our society
I'm also taken by the concept of Ubuntu which he talked of: "I am what I am because of who we all are." More Vusi please.

[Lateralthinking1]

In delivery he reminds me a bit of SE Rogie, Lat - he has such a moving voice. I liked what he talked about - the importance of the 'Grandfathers of Humanity' of his country as he termed Mandela, Tutu and also Gandhi - left me wondering who they might be in our society
I'm also taken by the concept of Ubuntu which he talked of: "I am what I am because of who we all are." More Vusi please.

I will consider that comparison with SE Rogie and enjoy the experience. I too like Ubuntu. If individuality and sense of common purpose were two jigsaw pieces, Ubuntu would fit them together precisely to form a recognisable picture.

The question you ask about "Grandfathers of Humanity" in our society is a fundamental one. It is linked closely both to the values attached to history, which are diminishing, and the willingness to engage with impacts as well as tackling causes. Those are too frequently absent. We tend to think of strong and weak or good and bad. They are versions of realities which might alight on certain principal themes. However, any such pigeon holing is hardly indicative of higher education or life experience. There is a bit of everything everywhere. That is the best starting point. Then, one of the crucial commodities lost in overly-competitive environments is a universally applied positive encouragement. There really isn't a lot of it about these days and that's a pity.

Anyhow, I can't begin to do it justice, particularly in this heat. Turning then to another matter, I understand that Alim Qasimov performed at the Eurovision Song Contest. Sadly, he was a bit part player in a pompous introduction to the son in law of Azerbaijan's President. The latter sings with a voice altering thing and consequently sounds like 80% of the current world's record makers. Clearly his positional play is leading to huge endorsement but is even he getting the right sort of encouragement?

[Lateralthinking1]

..............I enjoyed the latest. Los Poseidos by the late Ástor Piazzolla (from 1961) was terrific. Liked Los Gauchos de Roldán, Ferhan Tunc, Cambodian Space Project, Samba Mapangala, Joy Nwoso and The Campbells, the latter very beautiful. In fact, most of the records played were good.

Also liked the session with R.U.T.A. A wonderfully energetic clash of instruments. I could make lazy comparisons vocally with MacGowan and Hutz but I swear it is the spirit of Helno (Rota!) at his best that has been revived.

[Globaltruth]

Again, a pretty good show from LK. Just this same nagging concern - she's safe, predictable. All the other r3 presenters who work in this area are capable of throwing in the odd stunningly different track from time to time - not Ms K. And that's a shame.

Mind you, they thought cellophane was safe for everything at one time...


And,yes, I include those dreadful 'baggy trousers' & Pogues covers in the 'safe' condemnation...

[johncorrigan]

I see Lopa's got a nice new photie up there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lt2wr

Wasn't very keen on Nation Beat - apart from the rubbish name of the band I thought the music was fairly uninspiring, and they were a bit boring. This followed a very excellent start to the show with some US/ Ethio and some fine Italian tunes. Loved the Adama Yalomba but I don't know where she got the Polish metal/gypsy thing - 'My ears man, like, my ears'!!!
Liked the Bibb/Koite and the Veloso/Byrne too. Programme was 90 mins - what's all that about?

[Globaltruth]

Not sure I'll get round to it - I've noted the playlist : that Sam Lee is flavour of the summer for these r3 presenters it seems.

Yes, I suspect I too would like Bibb/Koite & Byrne/Veloso.. And the Mahotella Queens.
But I'm pretty likely to find them on one of our random playlists.

with the added attraction of some new auditory attractions from people whose recommendations I invariably find interesting...

[johncorrigan]

Have to say that I really enjoyed Hazmat Modine with their two harmonicas and a tuba from NY on last night's Wo3 - a fine mash of music styles from across the States and well beyond - liked the lead guy, Wade Schumann, too.

Great to hear the Tibetan Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery - got to see these wonderful people on Iona in the summer - packed village hall for a fascinating performance.

Still some bizarre things in from Lopa - Jim Moray's 'Big Love' for one - bizarre - I mean it was rubbish in the original - why do anything with it? Nonetheless absolutely loved the Diana Navarro and the Koo Nimo - much better than last week's show I thought.

[johncorrigan]

Lopa's got the Krar Collective on with her tonight for a spot Ethiopia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mny85

[johncorrigan]

Lopa's got the Krar Collective on with her tonight for a spot Ethiopia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mny85

Just ahead of the Collective a crackin' tune, I thought, from the Polish singer Urna doing 'Haram Gui', with the Mongolian band Kroke (I think) - terrific.

[Globaltruth]

Lopa's seems to have hit a bit of form recently, long may it continue.

But the Krar collective were a bit variable, and that's from me, a huge fan of Ethiopique.

[Paul Sherratt]

Perhaps everything is a bit of a blur for the Krars after all that hopping on and off trains ?

[johncorrigan]

Lopa's seems to have hit a bit of form recently, long may it continue.

But the Krar collective were a bit variable, and that's from me, a huge fan of Ethiopique.

I agree, Global, though I was struck by some influences between the Italian section and Ethiopian - obvious maybe given historic connections, but surprising nonetheless.

[johncorrigan]

Some good tunes on Lopa on Friday, including another fine one from the Mexican Institute of Sound. I thought the Klezmatics did an almost anti-gospel gospel song - quite moving. But Awale, while being fine performers had me feeling that they were trying to encompass everything - North African, a bit of Ethiopian, Afrobeat, Brass among other stuff and ended up sounded a bit too mashed...for me anyway.