Tag Archives: NPR

Roots of rock & roll: “hillbilly & blues/R&B”

  October 19, 2012 - 11:51 pm | , ,
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I came across this 1951 video of the great Western Swing Band, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys on Twitter recently (posted by Afropop Worldwide no less!), singing their 1930’s hit “Ida Red”  — a song first recorded a decade earlier (by Fiddlin’ Powers and Family), and has roots back to an 1878 popular song, “Sunday Night”. The video is a terrific capture of one of the seminal bands that pushed country music boundaries in the pre-World War Two era. Wills was known as the “King of Western Swing” and recorded over a 40 year period. But the song made … Continue reading →

Bombino: Nov 29 concert archived online & interview

  November 29, 2011 - 6:50 pm | ,
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Update: Full audio of this concert is archived here The excellent new Tuareg guitarist, Omar Moctar, known as Bombino, played a blistering set this past July at the Lula Lounge, to a highly enthusiastic, but much-too-small audience. He’s touring again, but unfortunately will miss Toronto this time around. Catch him live online though, in a concert webcast by NPR from New York club, Le Poisson Rouge tonight at 8pm. Link & article here Also read an interview and catch some of his album, Agadex, plus some video on Okayafrica here

Odds, ends & catchups

  November 23, 2011 - 4:29 am | , , , ,
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As noted previously, I haven’t been able to post updates or newsletters recently. The events page (www.events.to-music.ca) now has extensive updates through the new year. Below are a few scatttered items that have been accumulating recently, in no particular order: “Music for Peace” Steve Paikin, on TVO’s “The Agenda” interviews David Buchbinder (Flying Klezmer Bulgar Band, Ashkenaz and the new organization, Diasporic Genius) and Bassam Bishara (oud player and musical director of Arabesque Dance Company). The guests discuss (to a rather naive Paikin, in my view) their thoughts on Israeli/Palestinian conflict and connections, politics and music. They had collaborated on … Continue reading →

Twitter odds & ends

  September 8, 2011 - 2:08 am | , , , , ,
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Some odds & ends,I’ve tweeted or re-tweeted recently….  I’m at @TOMusicPix nprmusicnprmusic    Happy 75th Birthday, Buddy Holly. Hear the story of one of his biggest hits, “Peggy Sue.” http://n.pr/n6OX2D   myworldmusicMyWorldMusicFriends CD Review: Rwanda’s Mighty Popo: Mighty Popo  Gakondo Borealis Records read more http://bit.ly/qsDJHG   » FelaMusicalFELA! on Broadway    An early feature of Fela! on NPR — includes a dance number from the show! http://fb.me/103gqEhkg » SmallWorldNotesSmall World Music    Announcing The 10th Annual Small World Music Festival! http://conta.cc/oMXpTY » ARCMusicProdARC Music    The Queen of Fado – Amália Rodrigues – NEW ALBUM BY ARC MUSIC http://arcmusic.co.uk/shop/thequeenoffadoamaacuteliarodrigues-p-992.html   » … Continue reading →

Event notes: Aug 7

  August 8, 2011 - 2:32 am | ,
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A few items to watch for. See www.events.to-music.ca for more about these and many other upcoming shows: Stella Chiweshe is the big news in African music here, with performances Aug. 13, 20 & 21 and workshops. See elsewhere on this page for details Aug. 11-14: Two festivals: The Brampton Global Jazz & Blues Festival featuring a concert with Dr John & Jane Bunnett, plus performances by Bobby McFerrin, Rita Chiarelli and more. http://www.artofjazz.org/index.cfm African Dance Festival with performances & workshops at various locations. (The big concert is Aug. 14 at Nathan Phillips Square) Aug. 16: Fighting Against Famine benefit for … Continue reading →

August Odds & Ends

  August 8, 2011 - 2:15 am | , ,
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“The Strange Alchemy of Fool’s Gold” on NPR A radio feature on the LA-based indie rock/African sounds/Hebrew lyrics band. They’re just about to release a new CD (lyrics in English this time), and will be coming to Toronto this fall for the Small World Music festival. (Sep 22-Oct 2). More from NPR: “The Music of Louisiana’s Angola State Penitentiary” “It’s been called the “Alcatraz of the South.” Locals call it “The Farm.” The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola has been synonymous with brutality, suffering and executions for much of its 110-year history. There was a time when even the most … Continue reading →

Newport Folk & WOMAD festival: audio, video, photos online

  August 5, 2011 - 4:34 pm | ,
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Two major music festivals were held last weekend: The Newport Folk Festival and in England, WOMAD.  Some info, audio, video and photos from those events: NEWPORT Most concerts are archived online on the NPR website. Last night, I enjoyed Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s performance (with Pete Seeger guesting). One of a kind, and a true treasure. Ramblin’ Jack will be at Hugh’s Room on Sep. 24. A quote from Seeger at the Festival: “When kids get older, they realize that a lullaby is a propaganda song” WOMAD From The Guardian: a review and some photos (Featuring a couple of my favourites: … Continue reading →

Newport Folk Festival: live (& archived) webcasts, Jul 30-31

  July 29, 2011 - 6:14 pm |
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NPR (National Public Radio) is webscasting this weekend’s Newport Folk Festival, starting at noon on Saturday & Sunday. A terrific lineup (see below). Details on the NPR website, along with links to archived webcasts from 2010   Saturday, July 30 All Times ET 6:00 pm: The Decemberists 5:50 pm: Pokey LaFarge 4:45 pm: Gillian Welch 4:30 pm: Delta Spirit 3:25 pm: Earl Scruggs 3:00 pm: Freelance Whales 2:00 pm: Gogol Bordello 1:45 pm: Typhoon 12:40 pm: The Felice Brothers 12:00 pm: Wailin’ Jennys More online later: The Devil Makes Three, Ramblin Jack Elliott, River City Extension and more. Sunday, July … Continue reading →

Notes: Mapfumo, Bombino, Ragovoy, Congotronics &…

  July 21, 2011 - 3:42 pm | , , , ,
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Shows at the Lula last week As noted in another post, Thomas Mapfumo closed out Afrofest, but because some of his band members didn’t get visas for Canada, filled in with some local musicians (including guitarist Larry Lewis & Tich Maredza on bass).  Mapfumo wasn’t happy with the struggles to get the tightness he wanted, but those who were at both shows agreed that the whole band was much better with another day under their belts on the Monday night at the Lula, and the dance floor was busy. The next night, Bombino (Omara Moctar), the Tuareg guitarist/singer and his … Continue reading →