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Odds, ends & catchups
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 […]
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Boubacar Traore at Hugh’s Room, Oct. 3
A show not to be missed for African music fans. The Malian guitarist/singer makes a rare Toronto appearance on Monday. Get some background about him, and read a review of a show he did in NYC earlier this week here. And watch a couple of videos of him from that show here
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Benda Bilili! documentary opens Oct 14
A highly acclaimed documentary on the remarkable Congolese group, Staff Benda Bilili will open at the TIFF Lightbox on Oct. 14. The film was the first documentary to ever open the Cannes Festival, where it received a standing ovation. The group has achieved great international success in the last couple of years (but sadly hasn’t […]
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A few video treats
Today I was browsing the readers’ forum of the late British DJ, Charlie Gillett, and came across a few video treats… Boubacar Traore The wonderful Malian guitarist/singer will be at Hugh’s Room, Oct. 3. A nice, short video clip here Kandia Kouyate An amazing clip of the Malian griot at the age of 18. She’s […]
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Twitter odds & ends
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! […]
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Griot – a documentary
The Griot, a documentary by Volker Goetze focusing on Senegalese kora master and singer Ablaye Cissoko: The Griot directed by Volker Goetze by vgoetze
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RIP, Jerry Leiber
One half of one of the greatest pop music songwriting teams ever (with Mike Stoller), Jerry Leiber died today at the age of 78. They wrote and/or produced hits for Elvis, The Coasters, Big Mama Thornton (“Hound Dog”), Peggy Lee, Charles Brown, Ray Charles, Ben E King (“Stand by me”). They don’t come any better. […]
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A musical prayer for Libya
For over 6 months, ordinary Libyans have sacrificed, fought and died in order to finally rid themselves of the terror & opression they’ve lived under for almost 42 years. At this point, victory & freedom for Libyans may finally be close. In the last week, towns and cities all over western Libya have been freed. […]
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St Louis Blues: Bessie Smith’s only movie
For no particular reason… The Empress of the Blues” in her only film appearance (what a shame!). Below are links to the full 15 minute 1929 film, built around her 1925 hit. It’s poor quality, but the opening gives you more evidence of how rotten her man is. This page has some background on the […]
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August Odds & Ends
“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 […]