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Global Hit (Audio)
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The World (Public Radio International), Global Hit (Audio) >>
Habib is back.
The guitarist from Mali is kicking off a new North American tour. That makes five in as many years.
This year Koite and his band are visiting 33 cities in the United States and Canada in under 2 months. Koite's long tour schedule is a reflection of his popularity in the United States.
Tom Pryor, managing editor of Global Rhythm magazine says Habib Koite really delivers on-stage.
Tom Pryor: First of all Habib Koite is a great musician live, he's fantastic. But the reason that he's able to sell out these tours and make these extended tours is that he's got a lot of name recognition here in the States.
Koite's first released a CD in the States back in 1999. He got a big promotional push from the record company Putumayo. Pryor says that paved the way for Koite to be invited to take part in various film and music projects.
Tom Pryor: He was featured in Martin Scorsese's contribution to that PBS Blues series. Martin Scorsese did a film called "Feel Like Going Home" which explored the connection between Mali and American Blues and that's able to draw a lot of people who are not necessarily world music fans but blues fans. For example, I know he did a recording with Bonnie Raitt and I know that jackson Browne is a big fan, he's got a lot of start power behind him too.
According to Pryor, Habib Koite has a knack for connecting with American listeners by weaving different styles into his music.
Tom Pryor: What he does is, he plays a style that is a blend of styles found in his own community, within his own country. And because he does that, he's able to plug into global pop music and that it makes him more accessible to american audiences.
Music from Habib Koite concludes our program today. Thanks to Tom Pryor of Global rhythm magazine for his comments. 01/21/05 >> go there
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