Customer Reviews

The Healing Drum: African Ceremonial and Ritual Music

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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If you like traditional and ceremonial music from West Africa, you have to check this one out. Born into a family of musicians and healers, Yaya Diallo brings you authentic music from a dying culture. Djembe, dnounouba, balafons, tama, voice, and other instruments grace this cd with the power of music from a society that depends on music for so many things. Healing, celebrating, working, honoring, mending disputes, you name it. It is music from a people that understand the impact of sound, and the effect sounds have on the listener. Four of the twelve tracks are actual field recordings made in Yaya's native village of Fienso.

I was looking for a drumming based CD to aid with my soul expansion and this was extremely helpful. Good centering beats!!!!

Reviewer J. Sayson writes about this CD, "not much 'entertainment value.'" I am not sure what Sayson means or is looking for. Well, okay, this is not Drums of Passion. Do you expect all African music to sound alike? This is music of Mali, whose cultures are less visible in North America than are those of some other West African nations. This is music of a largely poor nation, music from groups that are struggling to preserve their traditions in the face of global changes.

As Yaya Diallo writes in the liner notes, "Through music we restore health, we mend the rifts in our society, and we replace misery with a powerful joy." Much of this music is meant to do just that. Indeed, much of it is quiet. The first track, "Dji-dnou," is music for the healing spirits of the night. "Niere Yago" honors maternal nurturing. But there are other tracks, including "Don" and "Were," that are more exuberantly celebratory. The inclusion of field recordings of children's songs and games is particularly interesting. After all, what is more healing than the power of play?

Whatever its mood, this music is dexterously played and sung. It is a valuable recording for anyone interested in Mali or West Africa. Finally, do not be confused by Amazon calling this an "abridged audiobook." It is nothing of the sort. It is music to accompany Diallo's book The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings, but it stands perfectly well as music on its own. Highly recommended!

Having listened to several CD;s of African music, I was disappointed with this CD. Not much "entertainment value", and its quite dry, and monotonous. Enough said....