“I put a spell on you” by Nina Simone
You will fall in love with Nina Simone, not because of her vocal brilliance, but because of the intensity of the passion she exhibits in her songs. There is nothing subtle about her artistry. Her messages are usually as dramatic as they are extreme.
That being said, this song isn’t just about Nina Simone’s emotional outburst. It is also about its beautiful instrumental arrangements: lush strings, piano jabs and “shy” but very present drum patterns.
“I put a spell on you” was originally written and recorded by Jay Hawkins in 1956. This version is the most famous of about a dozen remakes, all by prominent Jazz and Blues artists.
Hats off to the “High Priestess of Soul”.
Title: I put a spell on you
Artist: Nina Simone
Album: I put a spell on you, 1965
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“Canto de Ossanha” by Vinicius De Moraes
The original version of “Canto de Ossanha” was collaborative effort between two Brazilian icons of their time: Baden Powell the master guitarist and Vinicius de Moraes who was nicknamed “O Poetinha” (the little poet). Both men had an incredible impact on the samba/bossanova landscape, with Vinicius de Moraes penning perennial classics like “Garota de Ipanema” and Baden composing standards like “Samba Triste”.
I can say without a doubt that “Canto de Ossanha” is the song that made me pick up the guitar. The melodies and energy in Powell’s composition are simply irresistible. Songs like this make wonder whether I was born in the right era. What I would give see these two perform this song live………….Maybe in another lifetime.
Title: Canto de Ossanha
Artist: Vinicius de Moraes, Maria Creuza, Toquinho
Album: Vinicius de Moraes con Maria Creuza y Toquinho, 1970
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Loading ...Jatropha Field – Missirikoro – Sikasso Region
* Click on picture for full quality image.
** This is a picture of a Jatropha grain I took while working on a Bio-Diesel project in Southern Mali. Jatropha is a plant of Latin American origin, which is now widespread throughout arid and semi arid tropical regions of the world. It is an inedible shrub that can be grown along side other crops (in Mali, it is traditionally used as a natural fence to protect other crops from livestock). The incredible feature of Jatropha is its resistance to drought which can give it a lifespan of over 40 years. Malian authorities should pay attention to Jatropha cultivation because:
- It contains a high-quality oil that can be refined into high grade Bio-Diesel
- It has the ability to grow in poor quality soils, even wasteland, with little rainfall
- It can be used to re-cultivate eroded soils, preventing soil erosion and shifting of sand dunes
- Its uses will create local income and employment
“Diaraby” by Ali Farka Toure
“Diaraby” is another song that cements the status of Ali Farka and Ry Cooder’s “Talking Timbuktu” as a classic recording. The 1994 album propelled Mali’s leading guitarist onto the international limelight while at the same time providing a sort of confirmation that Blues music most likely originated from West Africa and reached American shores via slaves who brought their oral traditions with them.
The genre commonly employs the “call and response” technique (often between vocals and a guitar), which is a typically African musical feature. It is unfortunate that the recording industry often refuses to categorize this type of music as “Blues” and instead opts to give it the generic “World Music” tag, which doesn’t really mean anything if you ask me……Politics….Politics.
The interplay between the two guitars is beautifully offset by the rhythm created by the percussive instrument. The vocals tell the story of a couple fighting to overcome obstacles to their love, the biggest of which seems to be their respective families (and yes I do speak the language).
R.I.P King Toure. You are forever.
Title: Diaraby
Artist: Ali Farka Toure and Ry Cooder
Album: Talking Timbuktu, 1994
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Loading ...“Glory Box” by Portishead
Most would agree and with good reason, when I state that Portishead sits at the apex of the Trip-hop/Electronica genre. You want a reference? How about the fact that their debut album “Dummy” was named on Rolling Stone’s top “500 albums of all-time”. You want evidence? I give you “Glory Box”: the crown jewel of the “Bristol” sound.
“Glory Box” is undoubtedly Portishead’s reference song. A gloomy, melodramatic reworking of Isaac Hayes’ “Ike’s Rap II” which features Beth Gibbons (the lead vocalist) in a state of self-doubt, as she desperately tries to rationalize a relationship she’s in. Her initial message towards her lover is one of reproach, before she finally succumbs to her emotions, pleading:
“Give me a reason to love you/ I just want to be a woman.”
Between Beth Gibbon’s tortured voice and Geoff Barrow’s scratches and samples: this song is simply………………….legendary.
Title: Glory Box
Artist: Portishead
Album: Dummy, 1994
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine...