Pitchfork Interviews Orchestra Baobab Guitarist Barthélemy Attisso

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Orchestra Boabab is on the road in Europe, playing a number of the Continent's biggest summer festivals. Pitchfork's Joe Tangari spoke with Barthélemy Attisso, one of the Baobab's founding members, whose distinctive guitar work helped create its unique sound during its heyday as, writes Tangari, "one of the world's greatest bands." Now with new recordings from the group, including this year's Made in Dakar and 2002's Specialist in All Styles, Tangari says, the world has caught on.

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After a highly successful US tour earlier this summer in support of their latest album, Made in Dakar, Orchestra Boabab is on the road in Europe, playing a number of the Continent's biggest summer festivals. Pitchfork's Joe Tangari spoke with Barthélemy Attisso, one of the Baobab's founding members, whose distinctive guitar work helped create its unique sound during its heyday as, writes Tangari, "one of the world's greatest bands." Now with new recordings from the group, including this year's Made in Dakar and 2002's Specialist in All Styles, Tangari says, the world has caught on.

He and Attisso discuss the guitarist's early days studying the law and learning to master his instrument, as well as the evolution of the band over the decades.

"The difference between then and now," says Attiso, "is then all these people came from around the world to us, and now we go out to see them. At the time, we weren't known much outside of Dakar."

"The thing that's important to us," he continues, "is the enthusiasm of the audiences, because we play off that enthusiasm—it gives us energy."

To read the interview, visit pitchfork.com.

featuredimage
Orchestra Baobab vertical w/chandelier
  • Wednesday, August 6, 2008
    Pitchfork Interviews Orchestra Baobab Guitarist Barthélemy Attisso
    Youri Lenquette

    After a highly successful US tour earlier this summer in support of their latest album, Made in Dakar, Orchestra Boabab is on the road in Europe, playing a number of the Continent's biggest summer festivals. Pitchfork's Joe Tangari spoke with Barthélemy Attisso, one of the Baobab's founding members, whose distinctive guitar work helped create its unique sound during its heyday as, writes Tangari, "one of the world's greatest bands." Now with new recordings from the group, including this year's Made in Dakar and 2002's Specialist in All Styles, Tangari says, the world has caught on.

    He and Attisso discuss the guitarist's early days studying the law and learning to master his instrument, as well as the evolution of the band over the decades.

    "The difference between then and now," says Attiso, "is then all these people came from around the world to us, and now we go out to see them. At the time, we weren't known much outside of Dakar."

    "The thing that's important to us," he continues, "is the enthusiasm of the audiences, because we play off that enthusiasm—it gives us energy."

    To read the interview, visit pitchfork.com.

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