Tony Gatlif (b. 1948) is a French film maker born in Algiers of a Romani mother. This family connection probably explains why almost every film by Tony Gatlif is concerned with the social, political and cultural alienation of gypsy communities across Europe. And why music as a way of life plays a central role in his film making. ... [Continue Reading]
songwriting
Alela Diane & Alina Hardin: Matty Groves
This is another song by Alela Diane which comes from the Alela & Alina EP (2009) featuring Alina Hardin. On this particular EP, old and new songs arranged with splendid harmonies alternate seamlessly. It includes three compositions, a cover of Townes Van Zandt's Rake and two traditional ballad (Matty Groves and Bowling ... [Continue Reading]
Alela Diane: White as diamonds
Alela Diane is a young singer songwriter from Nevada City, California now living in Portland, Oregon. She is usually associated with Mariee Sioux, another Nevada City native, or with English singer Vashti Bunyan. While she has now changed over a more Folk-Rock sound with her third album, Alela Diane used to put forward the ... [Continue Reading]
Daniel Martin Moore: In the cool of the day
Daniel Martin Moore is a Kentucky-born singer songwriter who grew up immersed in the Southern Baptists' musical traditions of spirituals, hymns, gospel and choir music. In 2011, the musician set out to record In the cool of the day, a collection introducing a personal and fresh take on several of these old spiritual songs ... [Continue Reading]
Amadou & Mariam: Wily Kataso
Amadou & Mariam have been playing music together since the early 1980s and Folila, released in April 2012, is the pair's latest recording. Often referred to as "the blind couple from Mali", Amadou & Mariam have a great knack for composing catchy songs in their inimitable Afro-pop style. While a lot of their music is ... [Continue Reading]
Rasha Rezk: Mreyte ya mreyte
"Mreyte ya mreyte" (Mirror oh my mirror) is another track from the Caramel soundtrack (see previous post). Performed by Syrian singer Rasha Rezk, beautifully orchestrated and arranged by Lebanese composer Khaled Mouzanar, it is the final song of the film as the credits roll: Mirror oh my mirrorI will tell you my storyTell me ... [Continue Reading]
Susanna Wallumrød: Who by fire
Released in 2011 on the ECM record label, If Grief Could Wait is a remarkable cross-genre recording featuring indie pop and jazz Norwegian singer Susanna Wallumrød, Swiss Baroque harp player Giovanna Pessi, Italian nyckelharpa (the Swedish keyed fiddle) player Marco Ambrosini and Swiss-based viola de gamba player Jane ... [Continue Reading]