Spinner: Amadou & Mariam's "Welcome to Mali" Blends Western Rock, Pop, Malian Roots "To Great Effect"

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Amadou & Mariam are gearing up for Nonesuch's March 24 US release of their latest album, Welcome to Mali. They're also preparing for a US tour that will include a number of dates opening for Coldplay. Spinner says the pair will have no trouble rocking out for the arena crowds, citing Amadou's love of rockers like AC/DC and suggesting "this shouldn't surprise anyone who has followed the rise of the couple in recent years from obscurity to international sensations. There was always a broad rock and pop consciousness in even their most straightforward music." "People can get into our music because they can hear the rock in it, the pop in it," Amadou tells Spinner. "People can find things they know in it. Maybe that's why it touches them."

Copy

Amadou & Mariam are gearing up for Nonesuch's March 24 US release of their latest album, Welcome to Mali, which has already made quite a splash in Europe and has kept them that at the top slot on Metacritic for months. They're also preparing for a US summer tour that will include a number of dates opening for Britpop powerhouse Coldplay.

Spinner's Steve Hochman says the pair will have no trouble rocking out for the arena crowds, citing Amadou's performance on "a rather rocking version of AC/DC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie,'" at a French festival last summer and suggesting "this shouldn't surprise anyone who has followed the rise of the couple in recent years from obscurity to international sensations. There was always a broad rock and pop consciousness in even their most straightforward music, and with 2005's Dimanche à Bamako they balanced along eclectic rock edges with producer/collaborator Manu Chao."

Hochman says that Amadou & Mariam's return to their longtime producers for their latest release has been "to great effect ... An experimental sense is heightened by having Blur's Damon Albarn on board as producer of the opening 'Sabali,' a seductive electronic setting for Mariam's North African melisma."

That track is just one example of the marriage of influences in and outside of the couple's home country on the new record. Spinner asked Amadou for a list of artists who have influenced him and his own music over the years. On the rather eclectic list: Stevie Wonder, AC/DC, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, and legendary Nigerian performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He also lets it be known that he wouldn't mind working with Wonder either, not to mention Robert Plant or Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. It's this sort of interplay of musical styles that, as it has brought Western music to Mali, has also helped Amadou & Mariam introduce the the West to the rich tradition of their home country.

"People can get into our music because they can hear the rock in it, the pop in it," Amadou tells Spinner. "It links the music to that audience. This music has rock and blues and pop influence. People can find things they know in it. Maybe that's why it touches them. What touches people from America and Europe is the message we are trying to send—the message of love, of peace, of solidarity. It's a simple way to say it, but it's important to spread that kind of message."

Read the interview and listen to sound examples from Welcome to Mali at spinner.com. You can also hear three tracks off the new album, plus a song off their previous album on Nonesuch Radio.

---

The pair are also featured in an interview in Free Williamsburg, from Brooklyn, New York's über-hip neighborhood. You can read the interview at freewilliamsburg.com.

---

For information on Amadou & Mariam's summer tour, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

featuredimage
Amadou & Mariam vertical plaid poles (Youri Lenquette)
  • Tuesday, March 10, 2009
    Spinner: Amadou & Mariam's "Welcome to Mali" Blends Western Rock, Pop, Malian Roots "To Great Effect"
    Youri Lenquette

    Amadou & Mariam are gearing up for Nonesuch's March 24 US release of their latest album, Welcome to Mali, which has already made quite a splash in Europe and has kept them that at the top slot on Metacritic for months. They're also preparing for a US summer tour that will include a number of dates opening for Britpop powerhouse Coldplay.

    Spinner's Steve Hochman says the pair will have no trouble rocking out for the arena crowds, citing Amadou's performance on "a rather rocking version of AC/DC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie,'" at a French festival last summer and suggesting "this shouldn't surprise anyone who has followed the rise of the couple in recent years from obscurity to international sensations. There was always a broad rock and pop consciousness in even their most straightforward music, and with 2005's Dimanche à Bamako they balanced along eclectic rock edges with producer/collaborator Manu Chao."

    Hochman says that Amadou & Mariam's return to their longtime producers for their latest release has been "to great effect ... An experimental sense is heightened by having Blur's Damon Albarn on board as producer of the opening 'Sabali,' a seductive electronic setting for Mariam's North African melisma."

    That track is just one example of the marriage of influences in and outside of the couple's home country on the new record. Spinner asked Amadou for a list of artists who have influenced him and his own music over the years. On the rather eclectic list: Stevie Wonder, AC/DC, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, and legendary Nigerian performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He also lets it be known that he wouldn't mind working with Wonder either, not to mention Robert Plant or Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. It's this sort of interplay of musical styles that, as it has brought Western music to Mali, has also helped Amadou & Mariam introduce the the West to the rich tradition of their home country.

    "People can get into our music because they can hear the rock in it, the pop in it," Amadou tells Spinner. "It links the music to that audience. This music has rock and blues and pop influence. People can find things they know in it. Maybe that's why it touches them. What touches people from America and Europe is the message we are trying to send—the message of love, of peace, of solidarity. It's a simple way to say it, but it's important to spread that kind of message."

    Read the interview and listen to sound examples from Welcome to Mali at spinner.com. You can also hear three tracks off the new album, plus a song off their previous album on Nonesuch Radio.

    ---

    The pair are also featured in an interview in Free Williamsburg, from Brooklyn, New York's über-hip neighborhood. You can read the interview at freewilliamsburg.com.

    ---

    For information on Amadou & Mariam's summer tour, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    Journal Articles:On TourArtist NewsReviews

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, January 17, 2025
    Friday, January 17, 2025

    Julia Bullock sings in San Francisco, where a new John Adams piano concerto is premiered. Jeremy Denk performs at Union College. Gabriel Kahane goes solo at Michigan State. Brad Mehldau sits in with Al Foster in NYC.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events
  • Friday, January 10, 2025
    Friday, January 10, 2025

    Across NYC this weekend, Makaya McCraven continues his Winter Jazzfest artist residency with three shows, Mary Halvorson continues her residency at The Stone, Punch Brothers kick off season two of The Energy Curfew Music Hour at Minetta Lane Theatre, and Rachael & Vilray perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Also in the US, Hurray for the Riff Raff's Austin City Limits set airs on PBS, and Gabriel Kahane is in Orlando. Across the Atlantic, Julia Bullock sings at Saffron Hall in UK.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events