I went to see Baaba Maal last night, a very famous west-african musician from the North of Senegal. Still in my memory I had the calm style of his album „Baayo“ released in 1991. Only the first songs were calm and quite, himself singing accompanied by his guitar, sitting dressed in his majestic boubou. Then more vibrant music came up and the senegalese style dansers amongst the public went each on stage to give their brief performance. The audience was invited to come to stage and Baaba himself went down from the stage through the audience with one of his drum players. He said that sharing the music, sharing the joy, celebrating together is important.
The music was great but even more impressive was the type of concert Baaba Maal performed with his musicians. It was not only him holding the forefront, again and again he put every single one of his musicians to the forefront to perform their solos, to honor them and have them honored by the audience, including the old blind man, the background singer. It looked like he took serious himself what he was saying, also performing the music is about the team, doing it together. I never realized a famous musician on stage who was seeking to stand less in the spotlight than him! He came across like a calm, wise person who is a good maybe natural leader!
On his official webpage you also find his tour dates and locations. It is really worth it!
Notes from Babylon 