Ladilikan

Three virtuoso griot musicians from Mali (xylophone and lute players with singer) teamed up with the Kronos quartet (violins, violo, and cello) to produce this beautiful album.

No FCC's; Favorite tracks: 2, 7, 9, 10

1-- Tita – (6:54) a song about breaking with the old ways in 1950's and marrying for love; lovely xylophone has a skippy beat punctuated by Kronos strings over which singer gives lyrics

*2 –Kanimba – (4:41) the teasing of sisters-in-law – strings play interval harmony with singer; xylophone punctuates here; lush sound with insistent beat

3—Eh Ya Ye – (4:52) –advises a holy man not to tell lies – strings lead off, xylophone follows, then voice; lots of sliding strings at the end

4-- Garaba Mama (3:03) – praise song for a trader named Garaba Mama – the ngoni or African lute-- ancestor of the American banjo -- is showcased here

5-- God Shall Wipe All the Tears Away (3:07) – translation of Mahalia Jackson song into Bambara – backed by strings played like a church organ

6-- Samuel (3:52) – showcases the balafon or xylophone – duet of hammered and bowed notes

*7—Lila Bambo (4:59)-- ancient Mandinka song – wonderful balafon playing

8 –Kene Bo (3:03) – the obligation to marry –pretty interplay of vocal and instrumental

**9 – Ladilikan (4:58) – title song of album – based on gospel song sung by Mahalia Jackson, 'I'm Going to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song;' inspired

*10—Sunjata (7:21) – epic story of Mande hunter-king Sunjata from the 13th century