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Jane Cornwell's rating
, Baaba Maal makes beautiful music
By
Jane Cornwell
16 Jun 2009
Baaba Maal in a natty gold lamé suit, strutting Chuck Berry-style across the stage? A line-up featuring African musicians in traditional robes, an avuncular Irish guitarist and two of New York’s Brazilian Girls (the two who are actually men) on percussion and keyboards? Maal has built a career on defying expectations. Last night the Senegalese superstar started in the West: a fair cultural exchange given the number of Western musicians currently looking to the Motherland for inspiration.
An acoustic guitar duet with Barry Reynolds came with washes of electronica; the title track of Maal’s new album Television was buoyed by special effects, hypnotic guitar lines and Wolof-language vocals. Coiffed special guest V V Brown added glamour to Djarabi. A horn section filed on for Dakar Moon. Maal reappeared in a blue boubou for Percussion Storm, a crowd-pleaser that saw drums call-and-respond then simmer to allow Maal space to speak.
“Africa’s young generation need love and education,” he said, before breakdancing on the floor to cheers.
Blind griot Mansour Seck added good-natured backing vocals. There was a rap duo, a drum face-off, some party tricks. And Maal, back in his gold suit, bringing Africa and the West together to make simply beautiful music.
Meltdown until 21 June (www.southbankcentre.co.uk/meltdown).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
I have to say that from the first row of the gallery the bassist sounded terrific! But I do agree with Mr Francis' comment. Although Laye Sow was on stage for barely a couple of minutes, his soaring voice and joyous enthusiasm added a further dimension to what was already a great evening.
- Michael Hill, Walton, 19/07/2009 23:12
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"Africa and the West together to make simply beautiful music" would have been appropriate if the mix hadn't contained an excess of very deep bass at painful levels. In my opinion this was the reason for the audience being noticeably subdued, to the visible perplexedness of the musicians seeking to whip up feedback and participation. Shoot the sound engineer!
- David C, London, 19/07/2009 22:12
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I agree with David, I was only 5 rows from the front and literally had to beg a staff member for some earplugs. Bless her, she found me a pair though. I go to quite a lot of gigs and always take earplugs - but I didn't think I'd need them at a quality venue as the RFH, Moby however was brilliant.
- Claire, Brixton, 19/07/2009 22:12
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Why wasn't there more of Laye Sow? When he came on at the end he was a perfect balance for Baaba's voice and came on with energy like to substitute in a football game he raised the bar. They should do more together.
- John Francis, Teddington, 19/07/2009 22:12
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