This week’s World of Music is a two-hour parade of some of the best, most festive sounds from the Caribbean, Brazil, Louisiana and of course – New Orleans.
Bo Dollis, Professor Longhair, Doctor John, they’re all coming over for the party. You better git on over too. Bring your mask. Beads are on the house.
World of Music is a boogie-down second line of blues, jazz, poetry, and world music every Monday from 3-5pm ET on the Radiator. Online, or at 105.9FM if you’re listening in Burlington, VT.
This week on World of Music we’ll hear the latest release from guitarist/singer Oswin Chin Behilia. He’s 72 this year, with a career that’s spanned the better part of the last 5 decades.
Behilia’s new recording – Liber – musically documents the social and political life of his native Curaçao, in particular the island’s uneasy relationship as a territory of the Netherlands.
We’re off to the Antilles this week with Behilia, and also pausing to remember the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall along the Gulf Coast with a lot of jazzy sounds from New Orleans.
World of Music is an expansive, winding delta of blues, poetry, jazz, and international music every Monday from 3-5pm ET on the Radiator. Online, or at 105.9FM if you’re listening in Burlington, VT.
Swing Noire: Blues en Mineur / Hot Jazz in the Tradition of Django Reinhardt & the Quintette of the Hot Club of France / http://www.swingnoire.com 2010 – (MADE IN VT) *NEW*
Lugua Centeno: Lirun Dan / From Bakabush: The First Ten Years of Stonetree / Stonetree 27 – (BELIZE)
Lila Downs: La Cumbia del Mole / La Cantina / EMI 34248 – (MEXICO)
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Shakti with John McLaughlin: La Danse du Bonheur / A Handful of Beauty / Columbia 494448 – (INDIA) * Zakir Hussain & the Masters of Percussion on the Flynn Main Stage
tomorrow night, 7:30pm *
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: Jonkoloni / Segu Blue / Out Here Records 7 – (MALI) * Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba at the Flynn Space: Weds. night, 7:30pm *
Rokia Traoré: Sé / Mouneïssa / Indigo 2524 – (MALI) * Rokia Traoré on the Flynn Main Stage: April 18th, 7:30pm *
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Domingo Bethancourt: Cobán / Chapinlandia: Marimba Music of Guatemala / Smithsonian Folkways 40542 – (GUATEMALA)
Tarrus Riley: King of Pain / Spirits in the Material World: A Reggae Tribute to the Police / Shanachie 45067 – (JAMAICA)
La Fragua: Eleanor Rigby / De los Andes a los Beatles / Antara 758 – (ARGENTINA)
Nearly a year ago now, the news circulated that Marva Wright had suffered a couple of serious strokes. Friends then came together this past fall in a benefit to help pay for her medical care: George Porter, the Wild Magnolias, Tab Benoit all turned out for a sizeable benefit concert befitting the generous spirit of the ‘Blues Queen of New Orleans’. This morning Marva Wright suffered another stroke and passed away in New Orleans.
Her outstanding auto-biographical 2007 release After the Levees Broke went a long way to relate one of the many deeply personal stories of life in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for folks along the Gulf Coast. Marva and most of her family evacuated the city before the storms hit. She watched the hurricane’s destruction unfold on television and for many days during and after the storm she was left to wonder about the fate of her son, the police officer who had stayed behind in New Orleans to help those that remained as the waters rose. (He survived.) The power of her voice and personality are inseparably fused to songs on the recording like Bruce Hornsby’s The Way It Is, and Marvin Gaye’s Change Is Going To Come.
We’ll remember the inspirational spirit of Marva Wright with a showcase of After the Levees Broke, this coming Monday on World of Music.
For the most part I still get music the old fashioned way: order a CD and wait a couple of days for it to show up. I like the suspense. I also like being able to check out the packaging and flip through the liner notes while listening. (All the more rewarding, in this case, where the artwork is a mesmerizing confusion of images that will stand up to many revisitations!) So earlier this week when Galactic’s new album Ya-Ka-May showed up, I waited until the end of the day and listened to it on the drive home. Before I knew it, I was speeding. Kind of…a lot.
The reason I picked it up in the first place is the group’s drummer, Stanton Moore. I got turned on to him years ago and I get just about everything he puts out. With a tight high-hat and kicking bass back beat he just might be the funkiest kit out there. It’s just the sound you want with New Orleans-flavored grooves. Which brings me to the real heart and soul of this recording: post-Katrina N’awlins. Blues, jazz, dixie, Creole, Cajun, Zydeco, hip-hop, soul, boogie-woogie, stride…where else in the world can claim so many native styles of music? Part of the answer here is that N’awlins has always acknowledged its special place as a confluence (geographical and musical), aggregating styles and influences and reshaping them into something wholly fresh. In the same way the mighty river itself accumulates various parts of the lands it passes through, before depositing them all at the delta – Ya-Ka-May encompasses the many unique sounds and styles of the Crescent City and delivers them anew in a wild, irresistable mix. A few of my fave tracks are Katey vs. Nobby, Do It Again, and Heart of Steel.
Ya-Ka-May is a party album, with unrelenting bounce beats and more guest vocalists (Allen Toussaint, John Boutté, Irma Thomas, Cheeky Blakk, Bo Dollis) than any previous Galactic project. Add to that gumbo harmonicas, cellos, accordions, and a generous overlay of samples from sources as diverse as traditional Hungarian and African music. It’s intense, it’s hardcore, and it’s a wholesale celebration of the continuing evolution of music from the special city that is New Orleans. Here’s a bit more on the album’s background:
(PS – what, no Parental Advisory sticker here? Um, OK…)
Pgm #103 – Black History month with the sounds of Africa, change, and revolution
Catch the show on Mondays 3-5pm EDT – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
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Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
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Chuck Bernstein: Kindred Spirits / Delta Berimbau Blues / CMB Records 102844 – (USA) Nikki Giovanni: A Greater Love of God and Country / In Philadelphia / Collectables 6508 – (USA) Mahalia Jackson: I’m Going to Wait Until My Change Comes / Amazing Grace / MCA 20489 – (USA) Keb Mo’: America The Beautiful / Yes We Can / Hidden Beach Recordings 70 – (USA) Guelel Kumba featuring John Sinclair: Njulli (Fulani Journey) / Afrissippi: Fulani Journey / Knock Down South 11 – (SENEGAL / USA) Gil Scott-Heron: Me & The Devil / I’m New Here / XL Recordings 471 – (USA) *NEW*
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Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective: Amuñegü (In Times to Come) / Wátina / Cumbancha 3 – (BELIZE) Chabuca Granda: Callecita Encendida / Lo Mejor de Chabuca Granda / CD-DIS 26040 – (PERU) Chiwoniso: Rebel Woman / Rebel Woman / Cumbancha 8 – (ZIMBABWE) Gil Scott-Heron: New York is Killing Me / I’m New Here / XL Recordings 471 – (USA) *NEW* Les Amazones de Guinée: Demembalou / Wamato / Sterns Music 1106 – (GUINEA)
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Perú Negro: Taita Guaranguito / Jolgorio / Times Square Records 9035 – (PERU) Black Uhuru: Freedom Fighter / Now / Mesa Bluemoon Recordings 79021 – (JAMAICA) Nina Simone: Revolution (Parts 1 & 2) / Forever Young, Gifted and Black / RCA 74413 – (USA) Nas: America / Nas / Def Jam 115050 – (USA) Marvin Gaye: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) / What’s Going On / Motown 3746353392 – (USA)
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Mahotella Queens: Masibambaneni / Mahotella Queens / Label Bleu 2571 – (SOUTH AFRICA) Madagascar Slim: Take Me Home / Good Life Good Living / MS 901 – (MADAGASCAR) Novalima: Chinchiví / Afro / Mr. Bongo Classic Recording 41 – (PERU) Sly & The Family Stone: Poet / There’s A Riot Goin’ On / Epic Legacy 82876759112 – (USA) Ram: Marassa Elu / The Rough Guide to the Music of Haiti / Rough Guide 1067 – (HAITI)
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Rokia Traoré: Sara / Bowmboï / Nonesuch 79852 – (MALI) *Coming to the Flynn Main Stage on 4/18* Ali Farka Toure: Okatagouna / Ali Farka Toure / SonoDisc 8448 – (MALI) Langston Hughes: The Weary Blues / The Voice of Langston Hughes / Smithsonian Folkways 47001 – (USA) Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars: Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock the Poor) / Rise & Shine / Cumbancha 18 – (SIERRA LEONE) *NEW – coming out on March 23rd *
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Marva Wright: Change is Gonna Come / After the Levees Broke / AIM 5015 – (N’AWLINS) Omara Portuondo featuring Jorge Drexler: Gracias / Gracias / World Village 479021 – (CUBA)
Pgm #102 – Mardi Gras time, we’re serving up a down South gumbo of zydeco, cajun, dixie, mambo, and more…
Listen to the show on Mondays 3-5pm EDT – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
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Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
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James & Troy Andrews: Bourbon Street Parade / New Orleans Brass / Putumayo 270 – (N’AWLINS) Louis Armstrong: Basin Street Blues / Blueberry Hill / Milan 35617 – (N’AWLINS) Jim Cullum Jazz Band: Down By The Riverside / Deep River: The Spirit of Gospel Music in Jazz / Riverwalk Jazz 8 – (SAN ANTONIO, TX) Kermit Ruffins: Drop Me Off In New Orleans / Every Day Is A Holiday / Basin Street Records 703 – (N’AWLINS)
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South Froggies: Basin Street Blues remix 07 / Nu Jazz Factory / Blue Flame 39850942 – (GERMANY) Chris “Candyman” Ardoin: Good Good / Alter Ego / NuStep4Lyfe 87066 – (N’AWLINS) Cedric Watson: La Vielle Chanson de Mardi Gras / Cedric Watson /Valcour Records 4 – (N’AWLINS) Ramsey McLean & The Survivors with Charmaine Neville: Drink Jax Beer / City of Dreams / Rounder 11661-2196 – (N’AWLINS) The Meters: Jambalaya / Good Old Funky Music / Rounder 2104 – (N’AWLINS)
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Rick Trolsen: The Original Dixieland One Step / Sunrise on Bourbon Street / Lort Records 403 – (N’AWLINS) Ingrid Lucia & The Flying Neutrinos: Some of These Days / Hotel Child / Ao! Records 33 – (N’AWLINS) The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now / Ears To The Wall / Mammoth Records 142 – (N’AWLINS) Professor Longhair: Mardi Gras in New Orleans / New Orleans Piano / Atlantic Jazz 7225 – (N’AWLINS)
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Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas: I’m In Love / Zydeco / Putumayo 160 – (N’AWLINS) Irma Thomas: Sweet Touch of Love / City of Dreams / Rounder 11661-2196 – (N’AWLINS) Russell Batiste & the Orkestra from da Hood: Greetings from the Orkestra / The Clinic / RBJ 71944 – (N’AWLINS) Gumbo: Alligator / Never Tell Me To Quit / Wild Rose 2009 – (OREGON)
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Fats Domino: Walkin’ To New Orleans / The Genius of Dave Bartholomew / EMI 80184 – (N’AWLINS) Otra: Con Otra in New Orleans / Todo Pa’La Gente / Otra 2004 – (N’AWLINS) Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball and Tracy Nelson: Sing It / Legends of New Orleans / Blue Marble 2 – (N’AWLINS) Johnny Adams: Body and Fender Man / Room With A View Of The Blues / Rounder 2059 – (N’AWLINS)
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Los Hombres Calientes: Carnival (Havana) / Vol. 5 – Carnival / Basin Street Records 206 – (N’AWLINS) Los Vecinos: A-Train Mambo / P’Aqui P’Alla / Category Seven Records 2002 – (N’AWLINS) Dr. John: Goin’ Back To New Orleans / Goin’ Back To New Orleans / Warner 26940 – (N’AWLINS) Nueva Manteca: When The Saints Go Marching In – Cuban Comparsa / Congo Square-Tribute to New Orleans / http://www.jwajazz.nl (demo CD) – (N’AWLINS) The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring the Hot 8 Brass Band: I’ll Fly Away / Down In New Orleans / Time Life 9548 – (ALABAMA)
Mardi Gras comes once a year, and while that’s hardly the only reason for partying in the Crescent City these days (go, Saints!) it’s reason enough for this week’s World of Music to join the fun!
Like we need an excuse.
On the eve of the big event we’ll take a second-line stroll down Bourbon Street with N’Awlins natives Kermit Ruffins, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. We’ll stop off for visits with the Nevilles, the Marsalises, and the Flying Neutrinos, and hear from Germany’s South Froggies in a hip new mix of the Basin Street Blues.
World of Music is a krewe-hopping, bead tossing, Quatuor Français jambalaya of blues, poetry, and world music every Monday from 3-5pm ET on the Radiator. Online, or at 105.9FM if you’re listening in Burlington, VT.
Neville Brothers & Les Freres Parents: San Nou Ki La (My Blood) / Konbit! Burning Rhythms of Haiti / A&M 5281 – (N’AWLINS / HAITI)
Emeline Michel: Moso Manman / Cordes et Ame / Cheval de Feu 1 – (HAITI)
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Chick Corea & Gary Burton: Children’s Song / Crystal Silence / ECM 1024 – (USA)
Langston Hughes: Mother and Son (Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair) / The Voice of Langston Hughes / Smithsonian Folkways 47001 – (USA)
Nina Simone: Why? (The King of Love is Dead) / To Be Young, Gifted and Black / RCA 74413 – (USA)
Soweto Gospel Choir: In the Name of Love / In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 / Shout Factory 10608 – (S. AFRICA)
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Wyclef Jean: President / Welcome to Haiti Creole 101 / KOCH 5783 – (HAITI)
Bill Summers & Irvin Mayfield: Yayiti Kongo, Petwo et Nago (recorded live in Port Au Prince, Haiti) / Los Hombres Calientes vol. 4 / Basin Street Records 204 – (N’AWLINS)
Black Kold Madina: Amazing / Trouble the Water / BKM 1 – (N’AWLINS)
There’s been a lot of great music happening down South recently, with both the Festival International de Louisane and the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
