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Some hot, some not Bembeya Jazz disappoints, but Maria de Barros turns Kola Note into a love fest
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Gazette, Some hot, some not Bembeya Jazz disappoints, but Maria de Barros turns Kola Note into a love fest >>
Here is a roundup of notes from around the Festival International Nuits d'Afrique.
It has to be said. Le Medley is not Montreal's finest venue and it's especially tepid when the place isn't packed. That's how it was on Saturday when legendary Bembeya Jazz from Guinea performed with listless acoustics and uninviting layout. Maybe the Medley just isn't meant to be a "world music" hall. And maybe the band just wasn't "on." Whatever the reasons, the concert fell flatter than it should have. Bembeya guitarist Sekou Diabate admitted as much the following morning as the band packed up for Ottawa. How was the show? "Just OK," he said. And that must surely have been a disappointment for African music history buffs.
Maria de Barros at the Kola Note on Sunday was a Cape Verde love fest as the sensual chanteuse sang and sashayed her way into the collective heart of a beguiled audience. It's true, there were one or two moments, especially when she sang in Spanish, that de Barros seemed a bit short on the emotional depth that only comes with decades of experience - the kind her inspiration Cesaria Evora brings to the stage, but de Barros is a big star in the making. Sitting by the bar, Haitian crowd-pleaser Pierre-Michel Menard swooned over de Barros's sophisticated evening gowns. Singer Chris Combette from Guyana, tucked away at a corner table, was equally impressed by the elegance of the diva's repertoire. De Barros is scheduled to play for free this weekend at Place Emilie Gamelin.
As the 18th edition of Montreal's original African/world music festival moves into its final days, there are still some excellent potential surprises in the works. Compared to many jazz festival tickets, these indoor concerts prices are probably worth the gamble:
Tatouages, from the Congo, at Club Balattou tonight will set you back $17.39. The Angelique Kidjo-like lead singer, described as beguiling, apparently seduced the musicians of Toure Kunda, so she might also just do it to you.
Djamel Laroussi from Algeria at le Lion d'Or tomorrow fuses traditional and modern elements to create his North African party jam. Nuits d'Afrique is short this year on music of the Maghreb, so catch it while you can. Tickets cost $20.87.
Serenata from Cuba performs at Club Balattou tomorrow. It ought to be worth $17.39 just to see how they squeeze more than a dozen musicians on to that teeny-tiny stage. The bonus will be a full range of sweaty Latino grooves, from guaracha to bolero to cumbia and merengue.
Festival International Nuits d'Afrique runs until Sunday. For general information, go to www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com online or call (514) 499-FINA.
07/21/04
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