Notes on Ethiopia's Sayat Demissie's Kene Gar New ("It's With Me")

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Released in 2011 (ከኔ ጋር ነው in Amharic, translated as "It's With Me") is one of the best music videos to come out of Ethiopia in 2011. Sayat is a talented up-and-coming artist who burst into the Ethiopian music scene in 2009 with her single Tew Maneh, a few years after she won the 2004 Miss Ethiopia pageant. We remember commenting on the Tew Maneh video when it was released: amazing.

The song:
(1) Crank up your base and you'll enjoy an awesomely fluid baseline, especially until about 1:29' and back at 2:04'.
(2) The subtle electric guitar in the background also caught my attention - check at 1:26' and 3:03'. The equally subtle percussion and electric piano accompaniment provides a terrific rhythmic harmony to the song.
(3) Sayat shows versatility with her voice - she hits both high and low notes flawlessly. There something breathy and soulful about her voice.

The video:
(1) Including what seems like an outtake at 2:37', which attempted a crying scene but resulted in laughter, was brilliant. It added levity to the over-dramatized intro and story line;
(2) Ditto at 2:52';
(3) Sayat surrounded by discarded letters at 2:24' and 3:33' - the Al Gore in me forced a cringe but the camera work at 2:59', well, ahem, is creative;

The takeaway shots of this photogenic sister must be at 1:26' and when she delivers the kalcho at 3:29'.

This is one of Sayat's best videos. Her vocal dexterity, the musical arrangement, her superb looks, and the video's ethereal feel and overall presentation get high marks. This is a lesson for Ethiopian videographers - yes, less is absolutely more.

CREDITS: Directed by Sayat Demisse; Music arrangement by Wendimeneh Assefa; Camera Editors Sedakyal Ayele and Leul Abadi. A production of Abiy Films.

I welcome your comments but ask for civility. Ke mesgana gar (with gratitude).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sayat Demissie Kene Gar New
• Africa
• Ethiopia