DAY 5: Welcome to the most beautiful setting for a music recording session. Today we visit the Mperwa Community.
The second day of recording – beautiful sunshine in 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, including this chap (later we’ll write on a blog on all the things folks carried on their head and bikes). And there’s always the wonderful backdrop of the Virunga Mountains. And the inevitable narrow path leading up to the village….
And after a relatively short climb this time, we reach our destination…
The small village consists of a handful of traditional thatched huts, some with fires burning inside….
More and more people arrive….and find our cameras and recording equipment interesting…
The Singing Wells audio team – Nick, Andy & Willie – start to set up the mixing desk while Patrick and Steve place the mics…
The group gathers in place and the lead vocalist starts her captivating performance..
This older gentlemen joins the performance and takes the lead in most dances…
While spectators from every generation take a seat for the performance…
Here are the videos:
Jessie leads the first Influences session and Winyo accompanies the lead singer and drummer on another……
…and then serenades one of the women outside her hut!
The children like to get involved in what we are doing. These young boys enjoy exclusive access to the sound recording area, keeping a close eye on Andy and Willie and enjoying listening to the live performance through their headphones…
