The 2011 CD features 14 tracks covering a wide range of musical styles. If you were there, you will want a copy to remind you of the good times and great music. If you were not, then you will want a copy to remind you to go next year.
It opens in lively fashion with the energetic and vibrant singer, Calypso Rose, with Israel by Bus, a swinging number to get the feet tapping. From Trinidad she is a terrific performer and one must keep reminding one’s self that she is 70. A complete contrast follows with the light pop sound of Angus and Julia Stone with And the Boys. Fans of the Australian duo were out in force for there performance.
Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars are next up with Addimu A Change, back to lively Latin dance music with an infectious beat and some blues and jazz riffs running through it in the solos.
Jamaican, Horace Andy, brings some fine Reggae with Fire A Go Burn Dem, with the distinctively strict rhythms and open harmonies in the instrumental lines and call and response in the vocals.
Nitin Sawhney Days of Fire (featuring Natty) opens with poetry over a simple, and strongly rhythmical, musical line. The poetry subtly hovers between spoken word and sung lyrics and draws the attention to the inner meaning.
From China came Hanggai with Togur Gin Mountain, a fascinating piece featuring his remarkable vocals and the sounds of the erhu, the Chinese fiddle.
An old Irish favourite, the traditional song, Black is the Colour (of My Tue Love’s Hair), was next, sung by that popular and regular visitor to Australia, Luka Bloom, in his own arrangement for guitar and voice.
The Creole Choir of Cuba, who were a big hit on the weekend, are next up with Edem Chanté, another piece in call and response style. This is a joyous performance that is hard to resist.
Bob Brozman is next with N’oubliez pas La Réunion a gentle and hypnotic piece that exposes his great skill and musical taste in a captivating performance.
From Egypt and the Sudan came Rango with Holeela, another in call response style with some fine harmonies and a rich percussion score underpinning it.
The Afro Celt Sound System get two tunes in on their track, Urban Aire and Big Cat, opening with the Uillean pipes prominently displayed on the air that opens the track, before the complex percussion begins, leading into the blisteringly fast reel, featuring strings and whistle then reintroducing the pipes.
Faiz Ali Faiz brings a spiritual element to the CD with Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (The Red Falcon), presenting the traditional sounds of Pakistani devotional music. His voice soars, supported by a rich harmony of voices and traditional instruments.
New Zealand’s Trinity Roots were next with The Dream, a rhythmic. guitar led gentle blues piece with much use of wordless vocal harmonies. It gradually builds in intensity, getting a strong response from the audience at this live recording.
The blind duo, Amadou and Mariam, on guitar and vocal respectively, close the CD with Welcome to Mali, a song of their homeland. This is a great toe tapper to end on
The CD represents a good cross section of the music on offer but this is only a fraction of what a WOMADelaide weekend is about. There is constant entertainment on various stages, all sorts of activities for the whole family and lots of socialising. Get the CD and relive the weekend all year.
Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.
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