Music....

Although we're somehow unable to stay up past about midnight, we've managed to check out the following live music so far on the trip :

I've forgotten his name, but we saw a great group @ Just 4 U in Dakar. The band consisted of a lead acoustic guitarist, drums, bass, trombone, & bongos. The lead singer didn't come out for a few songs, and the band played some great stuff - mixing is some covers we recognized with some senegalese music. The band was great, and I really enjoyed listening to the guitarist. Later the lead singer came out and played some great songs as well. I only recognized a Fela song (Mama Africa), but they all sounded wonderful.

In Saint-Louis, we caught a local band playing what I think is more straight-up Senegalese music, with a similar instrument selection. The guitarist was again very very good, and it was great fun watching this group as the venue was filled with locals who were really enjoying themselves and the music. A few songs in guys from the audience got up and switched with some members of the band for a few songs as well, which added to the vibe a bit. After this place, we went over to a jazz bar and listened to some more standard jazz played by a trio - drums, bass & keys.

Night before last, we caught some wonderful music here in Bamako at La Savanna. Lead guitarist, backup guitarist, bassist, drums, 1 guy on a single bongo-style drum, and another who would alternate between a couple stand up bongos and a tranditional percussion instrument, which erica described as playing a pumpkin with chopsticks... the lead guitarist was really impressive, and we had a great time listening to these guys.

Finally, last night we caught an extremely informal guy playing a kora who was later joined by a guitarist at another restaurant here in Bamako. We were basically the only people in attendence, and I'm not sure if they continued once we left, but the music was really cool. It was fun to watch and learn a bit about the kora as an instrument, as I wasn't very familiar with it previously.

All for now...