Malagasy

1. Indosiko Anao

2. Tsy Zanakra Mpanarivo

3. Tany Tsaratsara

4. K'aza Miahiahy

5. Mahore

6. Sitraka Zanahary

7. Mahangoma

8. Malagasy

9. Mitiadavia Vola

10. Come On

11. Atera Zaho Ndeha Hoandry

12. Potiky Aminao

Tracks:

Biby Aomby
Betepotepo
Raininy
Sahira
E! Nama Inona Ny Anzaranao
Anary Tany
Tiako Ianao
Zarazarao
Antsary Helo
Tiambaly (Instrumental)
Manibili
Kabary Boketra (Instrumental)

Customer Reviews:

The first taste of a Madagascar acoustic guitar virtuoso.......2002-05-25

If you're a guitar player and into playing technique, add a fourth star. This guy is for real, and it's staggering to learn that until after this album was made, he had never owned a guitar of his own. When Henry Kaiser and David Lindley went to Madagascar with a digital recorder and recorded the "World Out of Time" albums, someone played them a tape of a guitarist who had adapted the styles used for traditional Madagascar instruments to the guitar, and played like a virtuoso despite only picking with his thumb and index finger. Dubbed "the monster guitarist from hell", D'Gary was coaxed to the capital city, Antananarivo, where during the two-week "World Out of Time" sessions, he recorded this entire album. It is all acoustic guitar and vocals, with some occasional percussion. His playing has a dream-like quality. My favorite track is "Anary Tany". This is a pretty good album, but unless you're REALLY into acoustic guitar, it's hard to call it compelling. It makes first-rate background music and would be a nice choice for relaxing late at night or using the computer headphones at work. If you're not a guitar player, I recommend you first see if you can get a hold of the "Horombe" album, which is more accessible, has better production and better songs, and provides D'Gary with a backing band and great harmonies.

Cascading beauty.......2000-09-03

I should have reviewed this cd a long time ago, it deserves all the praise that has been bestowed upon it by previous reviewers.

I was recently at Allmusic.com and I decided to see if their reviews of this cd were similar to what mine would be if I wrote one. If I remember correctly they did praise it, but what I remember most is that they compared D'Gary to Ali Farka Toure. Aside from both men being brilliant, Black, and guitarists, there isn't much musical comparison. They play very different musics. I'd consider both men to be a book in their own right, not merely different chapters.

The only way I can begin to describe D'Gary's acoustic guitar playing is that it sounds and feels like a waterfall of love cascading over me. His playing ebbs and flows in waves of beauty. From both the songwriting and playing points of view, he really is a world treasure. He doesn't have the West African tribal-blues rhythms of Toure, and truth be told, D'Gary's music probably is more difficult for some Westerners to grasp than Toure's is, but if you are willing to let go of conventional ways of hearing and thinking about music then Malagasy Guitar will reward you endlessly.

Hypnotic.......1999-03-04

I had to take it out of the CD player in my car for fear it would put me in a trance while driving. I encountered this CD in the Amazon.com interview with Bonnie Raitt who found it deep and profound. It results from a field trip to Madagascar taken by among others, David Lindley, who, I think, used to be a side man for Jackson Browne and others.

D'Gary uses 11 different guitar tunings and the liner notes state that even those musicians who watched him as he played could not replicate his music. The music is extraordinarily fascinating. I particularly recommend the 4th track.

Pure Genius.......1998-09-22

D'Gary lives in a small village that's a good 11-hour walk from the closest highway, and prior to this recording, he didn't even has a guitar of his own, achieving his technical brilliancy and astounding compositional chops by borrowing scrappy guitars from friends (that is, when he could find one). He did a impressive job transposing the vast musical heritage of Madagascar to the acoustic guitar, with results that can't be rated in words. It's heavenly stuff. I must say that he is the most amazing acoustic guitar player that I've heard in many years. Kudos for Shanachie and Henry Kayser for this release!! MORE D'GARY, PLEASE!!

Average customer rating:

My favorite album of 2004!
Mesmerizing beats from the first moment of the first cut!

Malagasy
Jaojoby
Manufacturer: World Village
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Madagascar | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar
Amassakoul
Living Like a Refugee
Dimanche a Bamako

ASIN: B00029RRV4
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Indosiko Anao
Tsy Zanakra Mpanarivo
Tany Tsaratsara
K'aza Miahiahy
Mahore
Sitraka Zanahary
Mahangoma
Malagasy
Mitiadavia Vola
Come On
Atera Zaho Ndeha Hoandry
Potiky Aminao

Customer Reviews:

My favorite album of 2004!.......2004-11-16

Jaojoby is "The King of Salegy", a 12/8 dance beat popular on Madagascar. His band includes his wife and children. I have four Jaojoby albums, and every one has better production than the one that preceded it. On this one, for the first time the bass and drums are really captured. Combined with the intensity of a (sort-of) live recording on Reunion Island, the result is a furiously propulsive album of dance music that is easily Jaojoby's best to date. The songs "Come On" and "Tsy Zanakra Mpanarivo" previously appeared on 1996's "Salegy!"album; the latter is a highlight here that blows the previous version away. "Tany Tsaratsara" starts and ends with searing metal guitar licks from Jaojoby's son Elie. Jaojoby's songwriting doesn't have as much variety as several of the other popular Malagasy musicians; the songs here are fast salegys, many with call-and-response choruses, with the occasional slow salegy thrown in. The performances on this album are so strong that you are going to have a hard time sitting still while this plays. "Malagasy" is my favorite album of 2004.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Mesmerizing beats from the first moment of the first cut!.......2004-08-30

He's proclaimed the 'King of Salegy' dance music in Madagascar and it's easy to see why: Jaojoby's mesmerizing beat starts from the first moment of the first cut and it doesn't ever let up.
If it's traditional instruments or drumming you anticipate, don't look here: Salegy blends electronic music with traditional in an unusual mode of electrified folk, and Jaojoby the band is actually a family affair with wife Claudine on vocals, son Ele on guitar, and daughters Roselaine and Eusebia signing and dancing.