Day 6: The Studio @ Traveller’s Rest Hotel, Kisoro Story
…ns with Francis, but we love this one, with Jessie and Francis singing together in the gardens of the Traveller’s Rest hotel in Kisoro. Please listen before reading the blog: https://youtu.be/c1XBVlNQL6E We also recorded a beautiful version of Amahoro with Jessie, Francis and the ladies. Francis and the ladies are happy to pose for a series of formal photos (each woman with her baby either cradled or on her back). Tabu and one of our hosts from…
Day 5 (much later): The Micyingo Group – guitar and bass! Story
…lead vocalist… https://youtu.be/pZzgr2PXZ3s https://youtu.be/gt4_CaZNN2c Then the guitar and bass took to the stage….if you are wondering where the bass is, the plastic bag turn out to be significant. We were bemused by this magic plastic bag, but it turns out it was covering a clay pot that supplied the song. The musician simply ‘beat boxed’ into the pot. And we soon figured out how to mic it (note the green cable). Also, take a look at the sha…
Gary Barlow, Ayub Ogada and our very own global song News
…o The Constant Gardener. So, Ayub is one of the many musicians from around the world who performs on the Diamond Jubilee song. It’s a collaboration of many different musical styles, instruments and vocalists – you could call it a truly global song. And talking of truly global songs, here’s one of our very own… The track is called 71 Hours to Monday, an original song from Abubilla Music which tells the story of a girl who hates her job and counts d…
Day 5 (PM): The ‘Togetherness Group’ from Kanyabukunga Story
…, here to watch some wonderful dancing and singing. As we unload the vans, the ‘Togetherness’ group are waiting to greet us on the ‘stage’….. The performance is fantastic… here the group are singing ‘Waratsinze Sikota’ in praise of God, but lamenting that the Batwa people had lived in the forest under grass huts, but now live near the streets under tin roofs…. The crew worked hard in the blazing sun – getting close to the action to make sure we ca…
Day 5: Recording the Mperwa Dancers Story
…n morning and there’s a patten emerging. Morning sunshine, afternoon rain, then the power goes out. Then the locusts attack. But let’s focus on the morning. This morning we recorded the Mperwa Dancers – the lead singer had a beautiful voice and we did an ‘Influences’ sessions with her. Until the music is ready, with think this village is best described through pictures: We arrived, greeted by lots of men and boys going back and forth to market, in…
Congratulations Singing Wells! News
…ly are so important. I met Tabu Osusa and Bill Odidi while doing some training on audiovisual archiving in Kenya as part of a British Library World Collections Programme initiative. It was a great pleasure and it is wonderful to see these fruits of their expertise and enthusiasm. Janet Topp Fargion, Lead Curator World and Traditional Music, British Library website: http://www.bl.uk online gallery: http://sounds.bl.uk main catalogue: http://cadensa…
Day 4 (later): Recording for ‘Influences’ with the Birara Dancers Story
…to sing. When we come to record them, we come to honour them, to listen to them as they tell their stories. But that is not enough. We said when we started this project that we weren’t fossil collectors. Our goal wasn’t to shove the music on to hard drives and store them in some museum. Our goal was to also bring that music to the next generation of artists and encourage them to incorporate the music traditions of East Africa into modern music. Wi…
Day 4: UOBDU and the Birara Dancers Story
…f the many views of Lake Chou – 15 of our 23 kilometre drive which took us around the whole lake. Our second introduction to ‘Batwa Fitness’ was on arrival at the village. The road stopped and we were told we’d need to take our equipment ‘up the hill’ another 1,500 metres to the top. It was at least 500 metre rise in elevation. We told you about ‘our gear’ but forgot to mention that it is NOT light. There were 10 of us and 7 heavy bags, plus the g…
Day 3: From Nairobi to Kigali to Kisoro Story
…rrible 1994 genocide that was launched from its capital. Rwanda is roughly the size of the US state of Maryland, or Wales in Great Britian and has a population of 11.4 million. It’s econony was devasted by the genocide but is recovering; a major source of its recovery is the tourist industry, centred on the famed mountain gorillas. Uganda: Known as the ‘pearl of Africa’ – it too is covered with hills and lakes. Like Rwanda it has the mountain gori…
Day 1 & 2: Preparing to leave for Kisoro, Uganda Story
…e look like ‘loaded up’: Pelicases bottom left (one behind), cable bag on top, mic stands on right. That’s all we need for full field recording So, that’s the team and the kit. Tomorrow we head for Kisoro, Uganda. The Singing Wells Team …
Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle News
…involving dancers, musicians, military and equestrian displays from around the world to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It starts tomorrow in the private grounds of Windsor Castle and will be attended by Her Majesty. The show consists of seven acts drawing displays from different parts of the world, reflecting the countries which The Queen has visited during her reign. Representing Kenya, the show will feature: Performers from the Masai, Sambu…
Photos from the pilot phase Story
…We promised a final set of pictures and some further reflections. And we deliver. …
Kenya (Coast): Day 4 – the road back to Nairobi Story
…all. It wasn’t easy leaving my bag in the car. I started quite formal, but then the team got some Tuskers in me and things got far better, more relaxed. The second time, coming here for the pilot phase I was excited. I know the team and was quite confident I could get myself around Kenya. Jimmy talks to the whole car now… Q: So guys, we’ve finished the pilot phase… how do you think it went? AP: I’m pleased with the quality of sound and equipment….
Kenya (Coast): Day 3 – our final recording day Story
…ack of the truck as the studio as often as we set up the tent. Folks are gathered around for the second group. Birds were pretty much everywhere….. Folks are intrigued with Pro Tools 9…. …and life went on as we recorded… Zigidigi Cultural Troupe The group is led by Matano Mwachiti, featuring the Kivolti, a lovely flute. The leader of the social centre and a key member of the Zigidigi Cultural Troupe.. https://youtu.be/KSzaveOB7SA https://youtu.be/…
Kenya (Coast): Day 2 continued…. Story
…r, brought the house down, with wonderful dancing. Led by Munyaka Chimega, they danced in the style of Sengenya (which bears their name). Non-stop dancing, multiple songs and they didn’t want to stop (but we ran out of video!). Fantastic energetic dancers that we’ve only captured on video…. …and all the kids joined in… https://youtu.be/m0eG1EcIpNM The kids By now you know, we are surrounded by the children at every recording… here are a few more…
Kenya (Coast): Day 2 – recording in the village of Kibarani Story
…inga, led by Alfonce Kazungu, singing and dancing in the Koringongo style. They used the Marimba, a wooden xylophone. Wonderful lead vocals, very Islamic sound… 4 the Mzinga, featuring the Marimba …with lots of the children The Children Our routine is now established. We drive into a village and meet the musicians and begin setting up. We are about 10 folks and the musicians are another 10-15. We then start the first song and by the end of the s…