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Walking the boards at the Womex While many artists programmed at the Womex opt for the ‘play as much as possible in forty-five minutes’ approach to their showcase, yesterday’s line-up included some notably theatrical performances, charged with emotion and intensity, by artists not afraid to leave the audience suspended in silence for greater effect. The master of ceremonies par excellence, Serbian Boris Kovac accompanied by his LaDaABa Orchest, staged the last party on earth before the apocalypse to the sound of the plaintive clarinets, swaying accordion and romantic violin of the Balkans suddenly transformed into free jazz folly behind Kovac’ wild dancing, spoken word and inspired saxophone solos. Other highlights of the evening were provided by Portuguese Mariza singing her Fado in an almost cabaret atmosphere and the long-awaited return of the Guinean kings of ‘Mandingo swing’ Bembeya Jazz, who had also almost been refused their Schengen visas in the same way as Kasse Mady Diabate from Mali whose tardy arrival was warmly hailed by the delegates at the end of another excellent evening. Marushka

A rare occasion indeed, as Timo Väänänen is the only artist in the world who plays the electric 39-string kantele   Impossible to resist Boris Kovac’s invitation to dance on this, possibly the last night on earth   The great Afghan singer Ustad Mahwash in deep meditation before joining the Ensemble Kaboul on stage                       Mariza, the femme fatale of power Fado   Mandingo swing in full force with the return of Guinea Conakry’s legendary Bembeya Jazz   A figurehead for Berber women, Najat Atabou’s strong voice and heart-felt lyrics stole the show               The Mondomix team in Essen (Germany) : Journalists Marushka, Benjamin MiNiMuM Video Morvan Frangeul, Elise Kamm Multimedia & Design Hugues Boucry, Elise Kamm Production Marc Benaïche, Catherine Zbinden   WOMEX 2001 in ROTTERDAM Les interviews et les vidéos sont au format: Real Player  [Téléchargement Gratuit]