event
Baaba Maal
-
Thu Apr 8
8 pm
Baaba Maal at Wisconsin Union Theater
Even in the 20-plus years that Senegalese singer Baaba Maal's been around, it's a tall order to progress from traditional West African music to a sound heavy on modern electronics. For Maal, this isn't a cut-and-dried choice: The meditative Afro-blues of Djam Leelii (an '80s collaboration with Senegalese guitarist Mansour Seck) still linger on Maal's most recent album, 2009's Television (a collaboration with New York's world-tronic-pop collagists Brazilian Girls). The word "eclectic" tends to imply that some elements work at the expense of others, but Maal's incredibly patient command over a melody encourages companionship, not compromise, between traditional warmth and modern polish. Those who prefer the free-floating effect of koras and group vocals will still prefer 2001's Missing You. Still, for all his reach, Maal's never lost his way. For a chance to win a pair of tickets to this show, email rsvpmadison@avclub.com with "Baaba Maal" in the subject line.
Wisconsin Union Theater 800 Langdon St., Madison, WI
Even in the 20-plus years that Senegalese singer Baaba Maal's been around, it's a tall order to progress from traditional West African music to a sound heavy on modern electronics. For Maal, this isn't a cut-and-dried choice: The meditative Afro-blues of Djam Leelii (an '80s collaboration with Senegalese guitarist Mansour Seck) still linger on Maal's most recent album, 2009's Television (a collaboration with New York's world-tronic-pop collagists Brazilian Girls). The word "eclectic" tends to imply that some elements work at the expense of others, but Maal's incredibly patient command over a melody encourages companionship, not compromise, between traditional warmth and modern polish. Those who prefer the free-floating effect of koras and group vocals will still prefer 2001's Missing You. Still, for all his reach, Maal's never lost his way. For a chance to win a pair of tickets to this show, email rsvpmadison@avclub.com with "Baaba Maal" in the subject line.
Updated 03/30/2010
