NY Times: Youssou N'Dour's Great African Ball "Likely to Be One of the Year’s Great Musical Events"

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"Exuberance and wisdom find equal expression in the music of Youssou N'Dour, the Senegalese singer, songwriter and ambassador," writes the New York Times in its recommendation of the Great African Ball, Youssou's all-night musical celebration in New York City. It runs tonight and tomorrow night and, says the Times, "is likely to be one of the year’s great musical events." The Village Voice also recommends this "mbalax marathon" for the ecstatic live set from "the continent's most inventive and internationally renowned musician."

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"Exuberance and wisdom find equal expression in the music of Youssou N'Dour, the Senegalese singer, songwriter and ambassador," writes New York Times music critic Nate Chinen in his recommendation of the Great African Ball, Youssou's annual all-night musical celebration in New York City. This year, the Ball will be held over two nights, tonight and tomorrow night, at the Nokia Theater in Times Square, and, says Chinen, "is likely to be one of the year’s great musical events."

Chinen describes Youssou's latest Nonesuch release, Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take), as "a terrific album rooted not only in mbalax, the hybrid dance music he invented, but also in Malian folk and global pop" and goes on to recommend Youssou's 2004 Grammy-winning album Egypt, "which fleshed out the somber beauty of Islamic musical traditions."

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The Village Voice's Richard Gehr, in his recommendation of the "mbalax marathon" that is the Great African Ball, calls Youssou "the continent's most inventive and internationally renowned musician" and offers this description of the typical Youssou show and what's likely in store this week:

As one musical bombshell drops after another, high-stepping onstage dancers seduce the crowd into ecstasy while a seemingly endless parade of well-heeled connoisseurs toss bucketloads of currency onstage in appreciation.

For more, visit villagevoice.com.

For information on tickets to either show, visit nokiatheatrenyc.com.

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Youssou N'Dour
  • Wednesday, November 26, 2008
    NY Times: Youssou N'Dour's Great African Ball "Likely to Be One of the Year’s Great Musical Events"
    Galilea Nin

    "Exuberance and wisdom find equal expression in the music of Youssou N'Dour, the Senegalese singer, songwriter and ambassador," writes New York Times music critic Nate Chinen in his recommendation of the Great African Ball, Youssou's annual all-night musical celebration in New York City. This year, the Ball will be held over two nights, tonight and tomorrow night, at the Nokia Theater in Times Square, and, says Chinen, "is likely to be one of the year’s great musical events."

    Chinen describes Youssou's latest Nonesuch release, Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take), as "a terrific album rooted not only in mbalax, the hybrid dance music he invented, but also in Malian folk and global pop" and goes on to recommend Youssou's 2004 Grammy-winning album Egypt, "which fleshed out the somber beauty of Islamic musical traditions."

    ---

    The Village Voice's Richard Gehr, in his recommendation of the "mbalax marathon" that is the Great African Ball, calls Youssou "the continent's most inventive and internationally renowned musician" and offers this description of the typical Youssou show and what's likely in store this week:

    As one musical bombshell drops after another, high-stepping onstage dancers seduce the crowd into ecstasy while a seemingly endless parade of well-heeled connoisseurs toss bucketloads of currency onstage in appreciation.

    For more, visit villagevoice.com.

    For information on tickets to either show, visit nokiatheatrenyc.com.

    Journal Articles:On Tour

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