Pure Dynamite!

God Won't Bring You Beer

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 02:32:00 CDT

A Quality Explosion

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:30:00 CDT

Halfway through practice, a flash from my amp followed by silence - my brand-new kt88 blew up! It couldn't stand the rock. If only top pedal made tubes!

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:16:00 CDT

Holy puppet TV Batman!

Minsato Le, Mi Dayihome

This song just rocks. Yeow!

Jupiter's Dance

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:09:00 CDT

Jupiter's Dance follows Jupiter Bokondji and his band Okwess International in his hometown of Kinshasa, the capitol of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I was really impressed with the music - Jupiter's as well as many other of the city's musicians.

The heat, poverty, and opression in Kinshasa permeates every frame of the film. Many of the musicians and those around speak their mind on their country and their lives through interviews and through their music. I'm not an expert on African history, politics, or music and could use more context to understand the people and their lives better, but I suppose this movie isn't the vehicle for that. That said, the movie is rather short - about 1:10. It definitely leaves you wanting more but the dvd apparently comes with an audio CD.

I suppose this is the latest in a string of music films the discoducks have been viewing, and definitely one of the best. The rappers have something to actually complain about, unlike the Danish rappers in Dansk Stil. I don't think the movie is going to get me to go to the Congo like Crossing The Bridge did for Istanbul, but I think it's worth having a movie night for.

on Amazon

myspace page

In Griot Time

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:17:00 CDT

I've been listening to this CD for about 5 years now. One day a couple weeks ago a live track by Lobi Traore suddenly lodged itself in my head and I decided to finally read the book.

I've been wanting to get a better understanding of the music of Africa as well as the culture and history in general, and this book seemed like a good way to get started. Banning Eyre is a guitar player who lived and studied guitar for several months with Djelimady Tonkara in Bamako, Mali. Djelimady is one of the greatest guitarists in Africa and has played with the Super Rail Band in Bamako for decades.

In Griot Time gives an intimate look at the life of one musician family in Bamako. Even though it takes place during some extraordinary circumstances (an exceptionally wealthy Malian returns to Bamako while Eyre is there and causes enormous disturbance to everyone's lives) it feels like you really get under people's skin a bit and understand their daily lives and the world they live in. Very highly recommended. I guarantee you'll want more of the music on the CD once you give the music a listen.

the cd

the book

Beat! Beat! Beat!

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 16:16:00 CDT

You're hot!

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 16:01:00 CDT

You're Hot! (A love song to the devil)

Chore Fetish

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 15:21:00 CDT

(Don't Beat) My Dead Horse

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:41:23 CDT

Quality Explosion Lost On Doremi Ridge!

Mon, 14 May 2007 01:02:00 CDT

unfortunately for you, we made it back!