Local band in Niafounke, Mali

We were on a tour in West Africa, the itinerary called for a night of desert camping, but instead we stayed in a hotel in Niafounke. The guide tried to keep expectations low by calling this "hotel camping", but there was no way to prepare us for how truly grim and depressing the roach infested rooms actually were. No one wanted to stay in their room any longer than necessary, and we soon congregated in the courtyard and broke into the liquor supplies. While we wiled away the afternoon, a band set up in front of us for our evening entertainment.

Electric guitar, bass guitar, casaba percussion and a chewed up drum set with cymbals that looked like they had been used to chop wood. The musicians were young - just kids really - but they played with real musicianship, earnest enthusiasm, and soon attracted an audience from around the neighborhood. I'd describe the sound as a rock and rap inspired fusion with West African traditional music. One song sounded familiar, but I could not quite identify it. Then it hit me. Lynyrd Syknyrd's "Simple Kind of Man". Really. No shit. Lynyrd Skynyrd. We were listening to a young Mali band playing a 1973 Southern Rock hit on the banks of the Niger River in Niafounke, Mali in 2007.

As I sat there in an advanced state of cultural cognitive dissonance listening to the Mali band play a tune from my college days, I realized I had to record this and ran into the room for the camcorder.

Missed "Simple Man" but recorded a couple of songs from my camcorder, balanced on a glass serving as tripod on our table. During a break, I asked the lead singer the name of the band and if they had any CD's. Language got in the way, but the next morning one of the guys from the band showed up with a cassette tape. This is what is written on the tape: Abdoulaye Cisse' (Guitar) Rec. at Niafounke' 2.01.07 prise de Son- mixage - mastering Yoan Jaunequo

That's the best I can do for credit. No idea what this song is, it might be original, it might be a cover. I'd be interested if anyone recognizes it.


More on our blog at:
http://eatarf242.blogspot.com/2007/11/african-river-runs-through-sweet-home.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mali
• West Africa
• world music

[DaVeedeo]

Dudes, This song is certainly inspired by famous song writer and singer Ali (Farka) Toure, who passed away a couple of years ago, the former mayor in NiafunKé (Mali).

I was there about six years ago and lived with these people 3 months. The images and voices are not clear enough to be sure that is the Abdoullaye Cissé I know, but could be.. if that's the case, I would address him a message: ROCK ON adulator ;)

[pinickityme]

If only I could regularly go down the "local" here in the UK & see a band that swings & grooves like this lot. Bloody great!!

[soadjt]

yea man, i cant figure it out, but it does remind me of the artist "pink" song called "so what" i think thats what i heard, and possibly, they copied the melody from something, check that out n tell me what you think

[DWSUWF]

Thanks for the comment. If you figure it out, stop back and let us know. Thanks.

[soadjt]

the music in the background is from a song i do recognize it but cant call it just yet, k.i.t. ill figure it out