Por Por: Honk Horn Music Of Ghana

La Drivers Union Por Por Group
Smithsonian/Folkways
World | Jun 2008

Reviews

Decca
Reviewed 2008-06-12
You gotta love Smithsonian Folkways. This music comes from the roads of Ghana. Honking bulb horns, beating on wheel rims, thumping tires (and vocals). Por Por stated as a way to ward off animals when vehicles broke down on country roads and as a way to encourage drivers pumping up flat tires. This is street music, not studio, so sound quality isn’t perfect, but very cool. (Por Por: pronounced Paaw Paww).

1. Horns honking in a midtempo rhythm, light percussion.
*2. A capella intro, then crazy percussion, then more vocals.
*3. A capella Ghanaian nat’l anthem then upbeat perc w/faint vocals.
4. Midtempo vocals & percussion. Warm and lively.
*5.Slow solo voice Griot-style then a loud & busy tour de force.
6. Shakers & female chorus then upbeat & wild percussion & horns.
*7. Crazy horns/perc chorus, it just snakes on and on…
*8. Shakers & tinny perc plus co-ed chorus. Midtempo.
9. Leader/chorus vocals, w/extra honking towards middle/end.
10. Call-response into a lively sqeak-honk fest.
11. Truck noises, traffic, then people shouting, horns going wild…crazy.

Recent airplay

Otsokobila
I once was CanadianJan 20, 2009
Kpanlogo Por Por Medley
Trotro Tour Of Ghana
Shidaa, A Song Of Praise And Tribute To Elders And Union Leaders, Otsokobila
Otsokobila
At The Café BohemianAug 12, 2008

Charting

2008-06-15 — 2008-08-17 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
Aug 17 3
Aug 10 2
Aug 3 2
Jul 27 2
Jul 20 2
Jul 13 3
Jul 6 4
Jun 29 3

Track listing

1. Por Por Akwaaba
2. Otsokobila
3. Trotro Tour Of Ghana
4. Trotro Drivers We Love You So
5. Shidaa, A Song Of Praise And Tribute To Elders And Union Leaders
6. Driver Take Me, The Train Has Left Me Behind
7. Kpanlogo Por Por Medley
8. Aayoo Samiah, "Today I Got You"
9. Lakpa Festival Song Of The People Of La
10. M.V. Labadi
11. Por Por Horn-To-Horn Fireworks