Photographer: David Harris
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Angelique Kidjo at Melbourne Recital Centre – April 10, 2015
Tag Archives: Angelique Kidjo
Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2015 – Day 4
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2015 – Day 4
Live Review: Angelique Kidjo @ Melbourne Recital Centre – 5th April 2012
Review by Ben Connolly
It’s not often that an accomplished artist of the calibre of Anglique Kidjo is in danger of being overshadowed at her own headline gig. But early on the evening at her East Coast Blues and Roots sideshow in Melbourne recently, that was clearly on the cards, with both the support act Vusi Mahlasela and even the venue itself, the Melbourne Recital Centre, proving to be highlights on what was to become a magical night.
TheMelbourne Recital Centre seemed a strange choice of venue, with the architecturally intriguing concert hall tucked away in a corner of the cultural precinct usually playing host to staid chamber pieces and sober recitals. High-energy, percussive-intense gigs of the type Kidjo has become famous for seemed an incongruous mix for the plush, sit-down hall – a round peg trying to squeeze into its obtuse, honeycombed exterior, if you will. This is not to detract from the venue itself – far from it, in fact, as many of the full house took the opportunity to marvel at its plush interior. The warm foyer invited curious exploration, with wide, flowing stairs leading to the stalls above. The hall’s walls were etched with flowing designs, like that of a wood-worm snaking its way throughout and invited child-like wonder as patron after patron failed to resist the urge to run their fingers along its entrails. Once seated, the vaulted ceiling and angular facias all spoke of its acoustically-pleasing design – the proof of which was highlighted time and again throughout the performances.
Continue reading Live Review: Angelique Kidjo @ Melbourne Recital Centre – 5th April 2012
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2012 – Day 4 – John Butler Trio, Blue King Brown, The Pogues, Josh Pyke, The Audreys, Angelique Kidjo, Round Mountain Girls, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Seasick Steve, Maceo Parker, Eagle and The Worm, Watussi, Busby Marou, Mama Kin
Photographer: Chris Dornan Photography
Photographer: Chris Dornan Photography
Continue reading Byron Bay Bluesfest 2012 – Day 4 – John Butler Trio, Blue King Brown, The Pogues, Josh Pyke, The Audreys, Angelique Kidjo, Round Mountain Girls, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Seasick Steve, Maceo Parker, Eagle and The Worm, Watussi, Busby Marou, Mama Kin
Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa [LP Review]
Review by: Ben Connolly
Buy the CD here |
I’ve always been fascinated by the anthropology of musical styles – the evolution of a distinctive style and sound based on many factors, but often described easiest by geographic boundaries. Take, for example, Memphis blues with its jug-band country feel, as opposed to the Detroit blues and it’s altogether grubby and gritty undertones. While both evolved from the same musical stirrings (and both served as underpinning styles of modern blues and rock n roll), their sounds are geographically distinct and unmistakable. You can hear the swamps and sandflies in Memphis blues, and you can almost sense the grease under the fingernails plucking the Detroit blues guitars. |
Heck, there’s no musical style so underpinned by geography than slow, languid, feisty and hot reggae which, no matter where it’s played, evokes the Jamaican countryside to a tee.
Continue reading Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa [LP Review]