The Weekend Ends Here

[Jamie Renton]

Sounds to soothe our collective savage breast and ease us into the forthcoming week.

First up, because I still haven't seen the doc on her life, Nina Simone sings Bessie Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCTP5zjQTWE

Any fellow of any gender want to share something mellow, cool and tender?

[allears]

That song, with its delicate doublé-entendre lyrics, reminded me of Maria Muldar's invitation: Let's slip off to a sand dune, real soon, and kick up a little dust :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IrKa8ZZwFw

[Rob Hall]

Listening to a blues mix tonight, and this came up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14rWnMsvyBw

Not exactly an advert for speed dating.

[Jamie Renton]

Well the weekend's certainly over as far as I'm concerned. It's raining & I just had the commute from hell.

But there's no problem in the world that this won't put right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB1XXb408qU

[Jamie Renton]

The Kafala Brothers were once described as "Angola's answer to Simon and Garfunkel", but don't let that put you off. This wistful little wonder has been a favourite Sunday evening soundtrack of mine for nigh on three decades now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu_QZPvRVRU

[allears]

I like that gentle Kafala Brothers song, Jamie; very relaxing, but with a little zing to the singing about three minutes in.

I wonder if you know the group Abyssinia Infinite, with lead singer GiGi Shibabaw ? Here's a highlight from their Zion Roots album, guaranteed to melt that stress away:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNj3XSCqEeI

[Jamie Renton]

Thanks Allears, Glad you liked the Kafalas.

That Abyssinia Infinite track is a gem. 10 years ago, when their album came out and record companies could afford to pay for such things, I flew over to New York to interview Gigi for fRoots magazine. We sat in her apartment, drinking tea and putting the world to rights, while her husband Bill Laswell (who was ill at the time) and their one year old baby slept in the next room.

Please excuse that dewy eyed reminiscence from my all to brief brief jet setting lifestyle.

[AndyM]

Well, let me tell you about the time I flew to Jersey to interview Gilbert O'Sullivan........

Maybe not!

[Chris P]

that GO'S interview sounds potentially interesting, but then again, maybe not.

Gigi made some very good music (is she still releasing music? maybe motherhood or something intervenes?) imo, and even from before the Laswell connection. There's a Laswell dub-like album of her music called Illuminated Audio which I remember liking, saw its spine just today somewhere amongst the cds

[Jamie Renton]

Andy: given that he was a UK entertainer in the 1970s, I do hope you didn't ask G O'S any awkward questions about the lyrics to his song "Clair".

[Jamie Renton]

Chris: Gigi appears to be currently residing in the "Where are They Now" file. According to Wiki, her last album was released in 2010, although I never got to hear it.

[Chris P]

Chris: Gigi appears to be currently residing in the "Where are They Now" file. According to Wiki, her last album was released in 2010, although I never got to hear it.

the last one I heard was 2006's 'gold & wax'. 2010's 'Mesgana Ethiopia' is listed on that Wiki entry, but has passed me right by So fah (mi ray doh tea la)

[allears]

Please excuse that dewy eyed reminiscence from my all to brief brief jet setting lifestyle.

^ No, that's an interesting snippet about Gigi and about yourself.Congrats on even briefly being part of the jetsetting elite of the international music scene!

I should apologise for underestimating the extent of knowledge that you regular posters have. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm just an enthusiastic dilettante - no inside knowledge, no musical skills. :(

P.S. Do you still work with fRoots?

[Jamie Renton]

I'm just an enthusiastic dilettante - no inside knowledge, no musical skills.

Me too, but please don't tell anyone, I've been getting away with it for a while now.

I still write regularly for fRoots. In the latest issue I've got a roundup of favourite world music artists based in the UK.

[Jamie Renton]

The Dramatics - In the Rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxIPhbNbBCI