October 26, 2007

Womex 2007 Day 2

With so many people, activities and events, it is difficult to know where to begin when trying to sum up a day in the life of Womex 2007. From Jean Cook’s very enlightening conference on “Understanding Radio in the USA” to “Three Kings of Belize”, the documentary film by Katia Paradis to name but a few, Womexers were once again kept very busy while working at the Palacio de Congresos.
Interestingly, just two out of the many women whose work in different branches of the World Music industry was deservedly applauded today.
Others that caught the attention and imagination of those present were Tara Fuki, or rather Dorota Barova and Andrea Konstankiewicz and their cellos from the Czech Republic, who created a dreamlike, hauntingly eerie yet strangely soothing atmosphere as one of the afternoon’s showcases.
Also on offer during the day, Badila. A project led by French percussionist and intrepid traveller Bastien Lagatta, bringing together musicians from India and Iran in a sumptuous musical celebration.
As for the evening’s performances, Malian diva Mamani Keita stole the show with her beautiful vocals and generous stage presence, wonderfully accompanied by Moriba Keita on the n’goni and Nicola Repac on the guitar.
Spain’s representatives, La Shica (former dancer turned singer) and the arabo andalous ensemble Aman Aman were also led by charismatic women.
A change of mood with Turkey's Taksim Trio and their clarient, electro baglama and quanunlgor. Inspiring the audience to new sensorial heights, the virtuoso command of their instruments and subtle artistic sensitivity conjured up rich ambient mental images and emotions. Just in case anyone was still unsure, the standing ovation (a rarity in showcases with typically hard-to-please audiences) left no doubts that this was a gem amongst gems. Sublime.
While the Plaza de España heaved to the Congotronics of the Kasai Allstars and their improbable tribal theatrics, the well-polished Afrobeat of Seun Kuti & Eygpt 80, and the Southern Mexican jarocho fandango of Mono Blanco, back at the Teatro Lope de Vega, the audience was in for a treat thanks to Argentinean Melingo. Backed by a traditional band of bandoneon, guitar, contrabass and violin, his highly dramatic and theatrical rendition of late 19th century Tango was without a doubt one of the evening’s highlights.
No rest for the wicked, they say, and so it was that the theatre’s magnificent interior began to sway and then to rock to the sound of the world beats laid down by German DJ Dunkelbunt under the gaze of a glorious full moon.
Marushka


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