News & Reviews
- Monday, August 1, 2011
Oumou Sangare, "Regal, Righteous and Funky" (NY Times), Brings North American Tour to a Close
Malian singer Oumou Sangare concluded her North American tour this weekend with shows in Brooklyn and Maine. "Regal, righteous and funky," exclaims New York Times music critic Jon Pareles, "the Malian singer and songwriter Oumou Sangare commanded the stage of Celebrate Brooklyn! on Friday night at the Prospect Park Bandshell." Through her music and lyrics, this longtime champion of women's rights took on "the traditional West African singer’s role as community conscience while delivering her messages with a modern kick."
- Friday, July 22, 2011
Oumou Sangare Launches North American Tour "At the Summit of Her Art" (Boston Globe)
Oumou Sangare launches a rare North American tour this weekend with a free set at the Festival International Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal tonight before heading to the States and the Caramoor International Music Festival in Katonah, New York. The tour includes additional stops in Boston, Manhattan, Maine, and Brooklyn. The Boston Globe says: "A visit from this charismatic queen of Malian music and fierce combatant for women’s rights is always an occasion, not least because, as seen on her most recent album, Seya, she’s at the summit of her art."
About this Album
‘Worotan’ is the third album from Malian singer Oumou Sangare. Recorded in the U.K. following extensive touring in Europe, the U.S. and Africa, ‘Worotan’ has already been hailed in Europe as well as in West Africa as her finest album.
Developing the Wassoulou sound that made her famous, with its inherent groove, call and response vocals and Celtic/Chinese sounding themes, this recording captures the energy of Oumou’s renowned live performances.
Her maturing talents as a composer are reflected with an impressive variety of instrumentation, rhythm and mood, moving from the sparse traditional ‘Kun Fê Ko’, through the horn-riffing funk of ‘Baba’, the long-time concert favourite ‘Fantan Ni Mônè’, the percussion-led ‘N’Diya Ni’ to the exquisite ballad ‘Djôrôlen’ featuring Nitin Sawhney on Spanish guitar. Alongside her regular band, Oumou has added the brilliant young guitarist Baba Salah, Basidi Keita on djembe drum and Abdouleye Fofana on flute, and on four tracks she has invited a horn section led by Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown, Van Morrison).
OUMOU SANGARE SPEAKING ON WOMEN AND MUSIC
“I speak of the women of Africa and of the whole world. I fight for the improvement of women’s situation, because African women do not have as many rights as men. It is the African woman who is responsible for the house, the children, everything. But if that woman wants to speak in the society, she is not listened to. So I sing her cause. I have sung and sung against polygamy and the injustice of men. This is very strong, because music is very seriously listened to in Africa. Especially if you are a bit successful you can really get your message across to everyone, because music is respected.”
