Baro

Amazon.com
Now with his third album, Habib Koité has grown into a real triple threat. Not only is he a superb songwriter and singer, he's also a trained guitarist of remarkable style and invention, whose playing inspiration comes from native instruments, such as the harp-like kora--he often imitates its rippling runs--or the lute-like n'goni. Koité is very rooted, both in his own playing and that of his band, Bamada, but the structure and harmonies of his songs are readily accessible to Western audiences, a move away from the more bluesy idioms of, say, Boubacar Traore. Add to that a lilting, seductive voice, and Koité basically has all the goods in one package. At the same time, this is no compromise album in search of stardom in the West. This is very much the real Mali deal, as is apparent in the last few cuts, when the band switches to a more Wassoulou approach (from the south of the country, and typified by singers like Oumou Sangare), with its harsher, drier tone. But by then you've been won over. Koité is, without doubt, a major talent, and this record could well be his breakthrough to the big time. He's paid his dues and earned his status. The man is a star. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Batoumambe
Kanawa
Wari
Sin Djen Djen
Cigarette Abana
Woulaba
Baro
Sambara
Roma
Tere
Mali Sadiro
Takamba
Sinama Dehw

Amazon.com

Now with his third album, Habib Koité has grown into a real triple threat. Not only is he a superb songwriter and singer, he's also a trained guitarist of remarkable style and invention, whose playing inspiration comes from native instruments, such as the harp-like kora--he often imitates its rippling runs--or the lute-like n'goni. Koité is very rooted, both in his own playing and that of his band, Bamada, but the structure and harmonies of his songs are readily accessible to Western audiences, a move away from the more bluesy idioms of, say, Boubacar Traore. Add to that a lilting, seductive voice, and Koité basically has all the goods in one package. At the same time, this is no compromise album in search of stardom in the West. This is very much the real Mali deal, as is apparent in the last few cuts, when the band switches to a more Wassoulou approach (from the south of the country, and typified by singers like Oumou Sangare), with its harsher, drier tone. But by then you've been won over. Koité is, without doubt, a major talent, and this record could well be his breakthrough to the big time. He's paid his dues and earned his status. The man is a star. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Gold and silk, spun into sound..........2006-02-03

We first encountered Habib Koite and his group Bamada, through their song 'Sambara' on 'A Day in the Life of Africa' (which cd is another recommendation.) From there we've picked up Ma Ya and now Baro, and I will certainly continue until we own everything they have produced.

The rich sound, so wonderfully filling somehow, is like coming home. As with Thierry Cham, and Khadja Nin (two other strong yet different recommendations) the music resonates, regardless of your understanding of the language.

If you enjoy the Malian sound, give a listen to some of the Senegalese singers as well (Baaba Mal, Wasis Diop, Thione Seck and Wock.)

Sorry I missed him in concert.......2005-10-23

I bought this album as a consolation after my husband and I had to cancel out on Habib Koite's appearance last summer in Boulder. While still sorry I didn't get to hear (and see) all of Bamada's fantastic instrumentation in person, I listen to the album constantly and highly recommend it.

Some personal favorites: Kanawa (Please don't go), Woulaba (Deep in the bush) and Baro (The chat).

Beautiful!.......2005-06-05

From start to finish, each track is beautifully played and arranged. I am totally addicted to this record.

Melodic Master of Mali.......2005-03-08

Lose yourself in the soft rhythms of drums, guitar and ngoni and listen to the rich enthralling voice of Habib Koité. These beautiful melodies and their gentle beat will reach deep into your mind... One of my favourites is "Sinama Denw", about the problems of children of co-wives - it goes right under your skin.

Koité, descendant from a "griot" (storyteller) family of long tradition, has created a unique musical style - he has absorbed the different sounds and rhythms from all over Mali and harmonized them into something new. The enthusiastic response he received in his home country from the beginning is proof that his approach is sucessful. Mali, an important centre of music for centuries, has become internationally recognized and revered through artists like Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita and Oumou Sangare. Habib Koité has deserverdly joined this illustrious group. Those who know the music of Mali will discover hints of familiarity. For those new to it the fabulous "Baro" is an excellent introduction.

His songs speak of Mali, the hard work of the farmers, the musicians, and others. He laments the necessity of money these days to buy basic food. He touches on love, family, hope and the natural world. Koité has written and composed all the songs,. The arrangements are shared with his band "Bamada" of long standing. Among them is the current "king of balafon", Kélétigui Diabaté, whose virtuosity on this wooden-key African xylophone comes through without overpowering Koite's exquisite and unusual guitar work.

In the accompanying booklet all songs are translated from their original Bambara or Songhai to English and French, allowing the listener to apperciate the lyrics and get a sense of their meaning. Several instrumental tracks add to the rich diversity of rhythms and sounds. [Friederike Knabe]

A Sensation in the World Music Genre.......2005-01-31

Habib Koite is a musician straddling the past and the future. Together with his band, Bamada (which translates to - in the mouth of the crocodile - and is a nickname for the inhabitants of Bamako), Habib is creating wonders in the world music genre. He comes from a noble line of Khassonke griots, and learned his unique guitar style while accompanying his griot mother. However, Habib's passion is accredited to his Grandfather who played the djelly n'goni (a traditional instrument which is linked with the
hunters of the Wassolou region of Mali).

As I mentioned above, Habib has a unique style of guitar playing. He tunes his guitar to the pentatonic scale, and plays upon open strings. At times he sounds bluesy, at others more Latin and flamenco style, but it is a very distinctive and extremely pleasing sound which Habib has brought to light. His vocals are soothing, warm and inviting -- the perfect complement to his guitar style; and quite unlike the griot style! On this album, Habib and his band are joined by Keletigui Diabate on the balafon (a wooden-keyed
xylophone originating from West Africa).

The accompanying booklet is a delight, filled with pictures and the lyrics in three languages, one of which is English, thankfully allowing me to fully understand the meaning behind the beautiful and haunting melodies found on the disc. However, it doesn't compare with the music!

The track opens with Batoumambe which translates to - name of a woman from the Bozo fishing tribe - . The incredible rhythms in this track will not allow you to just sit still, while the lyrics tell a sad tale. Two people from different worlds find themselves in love, a love which cannot be fulfilled for neither can cross the differences between them. "Not all love ends in marriage..."

Cigarette Abana was a large (well, more like phenomenal), hit for Habib throughout West Africa. It translates to -No More Cigarettes - and tells the story of a young boy being enticed to smoke by all of his friends. He doesn't want to, but he finally gives in, and upon trying finds himself sick. The Latin flavouring is strong on this track, and again, the body is unable to resist the pull of the music.

A song which addresses what mankind is doing to their world is also included, and will be of interest to a number of people. Woulaba is an incredible instrumental. This title translates to - Deep in the Bush - ,
and the story in the liner notes is about what the animals have to say about mankind and what their ignorance is doing to the animals environment. Not only are we hurting the animals, but in the end, we will hurt ourselves... and Habib has captured this sense of gravity and loss in the melody. Underneath
it all there runs a current of hope, but it is faint.

Habib is an incredible musician, and I don't think anyone who likes African or World music will be disappointed by this disc, it is a melding of many cultures into something new, and shared through the conveyance of sound.

Review Originally Posted at LinearReflections.com

Average customer rating:

TZIGANI!
exuberant and mesmerizing musica tiganeasca
A Great Party Album!
Baro Biao:World Wide Wedding

Baro Biao: World Wide Wedding
Fanfare Ciocarlia
Manufacturer: Piranha Germany
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
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Radio Pascani
Gili Garabdi
Iag Bari
Boban I Marko Balkan Brass Fest
Queens and Kings

ASIN: B00002DEG3
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

Asfalt Tango
Manuela Oh Manuela
Sirba De La Lasi
Hora De La Monastirea
Mariana
Manea Cu Voca
Mr. Lobaloba
Tiganeasca
Doina Si Cintec
Hora Lui Pusac
Hai Romale!
Piece De Tarita
Lume, Lume Si Hora
Balaseanca De 8 Ore
Sirba Fluierate
Manea Tiganilor
Casablanca
Baro Biao (Pascani Wedding)

Customer Reviews:

TZIGANI!.......2000-07-31

This is truly intoxicating and heady music. If you imagine a brass band (usually synonomous with 'military' music), shaken hard, a rhythm section as tight as can be, playing what can only be equated to a gypsy version of speed metal - you still don't come anywhere close to describing how breathtaking this group plays. I saw them live 3 months ago in london, and the nearest description i can give is like being in a east european rhythmic earthquake. This band plays on the edge of the believable and is probably what the devil listens to when throwing a party. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...

exuberant and mesmerizing musica tiganeasca.......2000-05-03

Uplifting, tight and captivating rom music, played with anincredible speed in an upbeat tempo. The rythm, propelled by drivingpercussions, tight tuba and woven together with blazing, butoccasionally dreamy, clarinet, trumpet and saxophone solos, compells dance movement. This exuberant melange of various Balkan and Turkish styles has also elements of klezmer in it. A great follow-up to Fanfare Ciocarlia's first CD "Radio Pascani". Buy it and play it loud and often!

A Great Party Album!.......2000-05-03

It is almost impossible to believe that people can play as fast and as tight as Fanfare Ciocarlia. These twelve guys can play like no one else I've ever heard. The music is not only fast, but beautiful and uplifting. This is definitly one of the best albums of 2000!

Baro Biao:World Wide Wedding.......2000-03-21

I now have both CD's by Fanfare Ciocarlia...and I find that if you want "bouncy" upbeat brass band music in an Eastern European manner, thisx is the type of music to have.The music is addicting and once started, your feet will not stay still! There is a problem...trying to find these CD's!

Average customer rating:

"unica" por Thomas Binkley
Too much countertenor
More Thomas Binkley
Essential Collection for the Medievalist
I never grow tired of this collection

Troubadours, Trouvères, Minstrels

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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French Troubadour Songs
Dante and the Troubadours
Music of the Troubadours
Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century

ASIN: B000000SQB
Release Date: 1996-01-09

Tracks:

Baron, de mon dan covit
Leu chansonet' e vil
Salterello
Can vei lauzeta mover
Veris ad imperia
A l'entrada del temps clar
Kalenda maia
A chantar m'er de so qu'eu no volria
Retrowange novelle
Chanterai por mon coraige
Lasse, pour quoi refusai

Tracks:

De moi doleros vos chant
Biaus m'est estez
Trop est mes maris jalos
Li joliz temps d'estey
Mir hat Gerhart Atze ein pfert
Unter der linden an der heide
Nu alrest lebe ich mir werde
Meie, din liehter schin
Blozen wir den anger ligen sahen
Furste Friderich
Meienzit
Chanconetta Tedescha I
Wol mich des tages do mir alrest ist worden kunt
Chanconetta Tedescha II
Der kuninc Rodolp
Ez waent ein narrenwise
Ich warne dich, vil junger man, gezarte
Loibere risen

Customer Reviews:

"unica" por Thomas Binkley.......2002-07-09

Sonidos orientales, inspirados en la música arabo-andalusí, como clave para interpretar las monodias del Occidente europeo. No me parece lo mejor del trabajo de Binkley al frente de su Studio der frühen Musik, pero estos discos son los únicos actualmente disponibles. Las nuevas generaciones de aficionados deben, sin embargo, conocerlos, sobre todo el segmento final (CD No. 2), una bella antología de los Minnesänger, grabada hacia 1966, que sola vale oro. Hace falta reeditar de urgencia los mejores discos de Thomas Binkley en Teldec (Carmina Burana, etc.) y en EMI Reflexe (hoy insuficientemente distribuidos, solo en Alemania y en volúmenes de 6 CD cada uno).

Too much countertenor.......2001-09-20

Sorry, while I love medieval and renaissance music, I don't enjoy countertenor voice (except for Farinelli!). This CD is all countertenor.

More Thomas Binkley.......2001-06-17

I won't try to add more praise to the deserving and already lauded recording in question.

Binkley fans may want to go to amazon.co.uk for recordings not found on the US site such as Binkley's Peasant, Dance and Street Songs in Germany in the (early) 16th Century - in my view one of his finest.

Essential Collection for the Medievalist.......2001-02-27

This music is from the 12th and 13th century (to correct the previous reviewer). Studio der Fruhen Musik was one of the pioneering early music groups -- led by the American Thomas Binkley. This collection brings together three releases from the early 60's and shows the ensemble in their early days. It is a shame that the label --in this case Telefunken -- doesn't release their entire output (say in a box set, for instance). EMI Reflexe, where this group next recorded, also has failed to rerelease their archives, as well. Highly recommended, if only for their historic value.

I never grow tired of this collection.......2000-08-06

I actually don't have the CD. It is about time I buy it. I do have a 15-year-old set of 4 cheap cassettes of this very same collection. Despite their quality, they have been a prize in my medieval music collection. Amazon does not say, but you should know that the majority of the music here is from the 13th through the 15th centuries. Some of the music may borderline renaissance, but it is truly a medieval collection. Since it is music of the troubadours and minstrels you will be hearing male voices, some singing quit high creating an eerie and haunting feel to their songs. You should also note all the German songs included. I thought it was unusual and nice. As far as their performance goes, I thought it sounded "real". I mean "real" as opposed to a modern group singing old songs. They sounded like they were really troubadours and minstrels. Their music transports you back in time like reading early British literature.

For those who are interested in medieval music, I highly recommend this collection.

Swing Waltz Baro Ferret
Average customer rating:

The Thelonious Monk of Parisian Gypsy Jazz

Swing Waltz Baro Ferret
Baro Ferret
Manufacturer: Hot Club / Norway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Tziganskaia and Other Rare Recordings 1960-1978

ASIN: B0000044TU
Release Date: 1996-04-16

Tracks:

Swing Valse
Baro Bar
Reine de Musette
Chez Jacquet
Valse a Peguri
Mintch Valse
Ma Zaza
Reglement de Compte
Folle
Inattendue
Depart de Zorro
Jungle

Customer Reviews:

The Thelonious Monk of Parisian Gypsy Jazz.......2003-02-01

Pierre "Baro" Ferret was one of Django Reinhardt's favorite accompanists (recording over 80 sides) and was a guitarist of fierce and creative talent himself. The oldest of three brothers (Saranne and Matelo were superb guitarists, too), Pierre Ferret was born in 1908, in Rouen. He later moved to Paris and worked as a guitarist in the bals-musettes (dance halls), where he accompanied the great French accordionists and composed sophisticated waltzes with them. He stopped playing after WWII, opened a bar, and died in 1978.

This recording was his only LP, which is regrettable since it is virtuosic and (later) modern in the extreme. Tracks: Swing Valse, Baro Bar, Reine de Musette, Chez Jacquet, La Valse a Peguri, La Minch, Ma Zaza, Reglement de Compte, La Folle, L'Inattentive, Depart de Zorro, La Jeungle.

Tracks:

N'na
Donsoke
Fanta Gbe
Allah Kabo
Diaraby Kanou
Niamakoro
Solibana
N'koro
Koumayema
Allah Kabo (Instrumental)

Average customer rating:

A very different sort of 'early music'!

Troubadours

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000027NS9
Release Date: 1992-02-12

Tracks:

A L'Entrada Del Temps Clar
Quant Amors Trobet Partit
Vida Et Razos/Barons De Mon Dan Convit
Quand Vei La Lauseta Mover
Vida/Calenda Maia
Vida-A Chatar

Customer Reviews:

A very different sort of 'early music'!.......2005-12-27

'Troubadours' by the clemencic consort is one of the very first CDs of 'old music' I recall buying when I got my first CD player for my office. I have bought dozens since, but this one stands out from the row upon row of Latin liturgical music, Masques (dance music) and music for theatrical performances.

The most remarkable change is the appearance of recitations which, on first blush, seem to detract from the music, but one starts to sense how they fit in, even if you don't understand the French.

A more pleasant surprise is the appearance of some Medieval instruments such as the chitarra saraceina, the tintinnabulum, and the tambour a grelots.

If you can't find this particular issue, I at least can recommend this French group of performers in general.