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Amadou & Mariam perform "Ce N'Est Pas Bon," from their new album, Welcome to Mali, live at Radio France's Studio 104, December 1, 2008.
Watch This VideoPreview Allen Toussaint's The Bright Missippi with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage in the recording studio with Toussaint and producer Joe Henry.
Watch This VideoSara Watkins talks about the transition from being one third of the band Nickel Creek to branching out on her own for her self-titled solo debut. The album's producer, Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, weighs in on his involvement as well, helming a stellar line-up of guest artists. Includes behind-the-scenes photos from the studio and songs from the new record.
Watch This VideoSomali-born rapper K'Naan contibutes guest vocals on the song "Africa" on Amadou & Mariam's album Welcome to Mali. Amadou & Mariam explain how this "original West Coast–East Coast collaboration," as K'Naan calls it, came about, and how themes of peace and solidarity feature prominently in their work.
Watch This VideoMariam and producer Damon Albarn explain the creative process behind their collaboration on Amadou & Mariam's Welcome to Mali's opening track, "Sabali." Features an excerpt of the song's music video.
Watch This VideoAmadou discusses his lifelong love of musics of all types—blues, rock, jazz, rap, even disco—and from countries across Africa and around the world, exemplified in the Africa Express concerts organized by Damon Albarn. "The great thing about Amadou," says Albarn, "is he's got open ears." Features an excerpt of Amadou & Mariam's performance at the Africa Express for the BBC Electric Proms.
Watch This Video"I think the best term for us now is Afro-blues rock," Amadou explains in discussing the evolution of Amadou & Mariam's Welcome to Mali's dance/rock sound and moving beyond the confines of "world music." Features an excerpt of Amadou & Mariam's live performance of the album's title track at Radio France.
Watch This VideoAmadou & Mariam discuss their meeting at Bamako's Institute for Young Blind People and the founding of their eponymous group for a concert in 1980, one month after their wedding. Includes archival photos from their early years together.
Watch This VideoMariam discusses her early musical inspirations and her childhood experience as the go-to singer for weddings and other community events in Bamako. Features an excerpt of Amadou & Mariam's live performance of "Sebeke" at Radio France.
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