The womad accordion challenge....

Date: 29th April 2012

Playlist

Recorded performance track from Womadelaide 2012. Kimmo Pohjonen @Speakers Corner.
Keko - Kimmo Pohjonen album - Kluster 2005
Uniko Pt 1: Utu - Kimmo Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen, The Kronos Quartet - al Uniko 2011
Uniko Pt 2: Plasma - Kimmo Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen, The Kronos Quartet al - Uniko 2011
Quiver - KTU - al - Quiver 2009
Purga - KTU - al - Quiver 2009
Miasmaa - KTU -  al - Quiver 2009
Blind - Directions in Groove - al Clearlight 2011
I got burned - The Bamboos - al Medicine Man 2012 (release date 1st June) Pre order on Aus Itunes now.



Article from the The Australian newspaper about Kimmo Pohjonen date: 8th March 2012

I really wasn't a huge fan of traditional German style accordion music (known in our house as zicky tic..)
Unfortunately I had lumped all accordion music into this category (mostly) before Womad 2012.

I knew what was coming before we went to Womadelaide this year. I've christened it the "Year of the Accordion." Not strictly true although I was sure my perceptions of what "rates" as music I would listen to, were about to be challenged.

And challenged they were.

Coloured by the rose tinted "musical wonderment" glasses that the womad experience seems to slip on with my 4 day pass wrist band, I moved past my original bias and arrived in a new place.

I had an epiphany that began with Eddi Reader and the clever Alan Kelly and continued with Kimmo and others it turns out....
Colourful, emotional, challenging, interesting, dramatic, thought provoking, left brain music....

Accordion? Yes please. I'll listen to that....


Moving on to the new Bamboos album out soon. A regular Global Lounge fav...
Keep an eye out for Medicine Man - due 1st of June or thereabouts.. if you have Itunes you can preview the tracks before buying. Can't wait...!

 :)

The womad marathon continues this week....

Date: 22nd April 2012

Playlist

Deka - Dobet Gnahore - album Djekpa La You 2010
Cote D'Ivoire - Dobet Gnahore - al Djekpa La You
Kokpa - Dobet Gnahore - al Djekpa La You
Life on Mars - The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - album Live in London #1 2008
Teenage Dirtbag - The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - al Live in London #1
Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll - The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - al Live in London #1
Music for a Found Harmonium - The Penguin Cafe Orchestra - al A Brief History 2001
Perpetuum Mobile - The Penguin Cafe Orchestra -  al A Brief History
4Lb - Sundog - al Insofar/Side 1 2012
Black Sands - Bonobo - al Black Sands 2010
El Toro - Bonobo - album Black Sands 2010
We could forever - Bonobo - al Black Sands 2010


I thought Bonobo was going to be huge. One performance. Stage 3... am I missing something here? Why schedule their only performance on Stage 3?
And then the group of people next to us were talking and I overheard them saying "Bonobo.. who? Nah, not going over to that.."
And I thought, cool, no need to rush over there then. I thought maybe the Womadelaide audiences may not know who is going to be on stage. We can stroll over there and get a prime spot.
Oh. How WRONG I WAS!!! Laughing now. But not at the time... sigh.

I was sure someone would have some video I could watch later on YouTube...
:)

And if you remember the Australian movie "Malcolm" you may remember this piece of music.....

Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Just for those who come over here to read the blog.....

Look, I'd play the Melbourne Ska Orchestra on air but as you can see if you watch the clip, it's not just about the music, it's about LIVE music. Not something that translates well to radio unless they're in the studio with you. Heaven forbid, the sound was just so. loud!

Plus there is no such thing as a Melbourne Ska Orchestra cd.
So I really can't play anything on air.

Being in that audience was really quite insane.
And Nicky Bomba (band "leader") is clearly a fan of audience participation so it was LOTS of fun as well.

Melbourne Ska Orchestra are not to be missed if you have the chance to see them perform.
A word to the wise.

Barons of Tang and the Bearded Gypsy Band

Date: 1st April

Playlist

Villian (Stage Left) - The Barons of Tang
The Of Of Of
St Vitus' Dance
Even if you're missing fingers you can make a fist


Hungarian Holiday - The Bearded Gypsy Band
Pirate Song
Alaskan Whaler
Bearded Gypsy Man


Julian and Annie from The Barons of Tang were kind enough to have a chat with me before Womadelaide commenced on the Friday. We recorded the chat and presented it for RoxFm listeners.
Their performances at womad were every bit as energetic as their music sounds. As were the audience. Complete with crowd surfing. At womad. Another first for me this year...!!

The Bearded Gypsy Band found themselves an equally lively audience for their only performance at Womadelaide. Based in Adelaide they are finding rapid success as an act performing live in the Adelaide Hills and at significant events around the city. 

Considering they are all at uni and school still....quite amazing musicians. 

They are: Kiah Gossner (Bass) Tom Boehm (Violin/Mandolin) Tom Kneebone (Guitar) Max Tulysewski (Drums/Percussion)

In a footnote to this show, Max Tulysewski (drummer - in Yr 11 still) has decided to leave the band. 

The band are still performing, without Max.

It's a bit sad as one audience member noted he really drives their sound in a way other drummers can only wish to.
But watch out for Max, when he starts performing again, we'll all know about it! 

Another footnote, I saw Julian from the Barons disappear backstage of the Zoo stage during the Bearded Gypsy gig....wild speculation abounds... :)