Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa

Alhaji Bai Konte | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 2, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder Records
• ASIN: B00000037W
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,973 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #65 in Music > World Music > Africa > Senegal & Gambia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kottke of the Kora, October 18, 2004

By 

R. J MOSS (Alice Springs, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa (Audio CD)

This is really a stunning set of songs from Konte. I hadn't realised he'd passed away until I read one of the reviews posted here. Of course he sounds nothing like Leo Kottke, but he can move with that same dazzling speed, say on 'Baa to toto', whilst imitating a frog, belting a bluesy barrelhouse piano sound and simultaneously unfolding a melody. Elsewhere, on 'Daua', he hums like an insect over a sitar sounding piece. The moods vary, from festive rollicking, through booming rhythms,to eerie melodies. Like Kottke, without witnessing a performance, it's hard to believe only one man is making such a surplus of music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars few perfect albums; this is one, February 7, 2009

By 

Christopher Brown (Milford, CT) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa (Audio CD)

When I first heard this, in an earlier centuty, I had no idea what was coming. This has been one of my very favorite recordings since then. Amazing depth of talent and musical emotion.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *Truly One of the Greatest Musicians of All Times*, November 18, 2008

By 

C. Calloway "Big Band Leader" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa (Audio CD)

Don't you dare miss the ultimate dazzling recording of the famed, undisputed African master of the Gambian Kora harp. Alhaji Bai Konte's legandary artistry was well documented by the press for making even some of the worlds most the most brutal dictators and hearless tyrants weep like children.

The short Amazon clips below do not begin to do it justice because they are too short to cover his astonishing transitions. Take it from a conservatory graduate and full time touring professional musician: get this recording and spread it around. Great for background, foreground, and concentrated listening. There is a lot more here than the musics gleaming surface. Use headphones and really concentrate on every nuance - and try to keep your foot tapping to the tempo of the initial groove no matter what you hear - and you are in for a mind altering experience.

It a blessing that this vital recording was made (almost didn't happen) and it has been blowing my mind for over 30 years. I cannot imagine life without it, and it is a human tragedy that the publisher is considering discontinuing it. It is, without question, one of the great recordings of all time.

The harmony, counterpoint, texture, melody, technique, interpretation,is off the charts. Above all the incredible way Konte appears to leave his astounding rhythmic grooves behind, moving seamlessly into soaring arabesques and "counter sections" only to to drop back to the original groove later on: RIGHT ON THE BEAT, RIGHT IN TEMPO, and in EXACTLY the right place where the groove would have been is utter genius. Konte playes contrasting sections like the greatest of modern Jazz drummers take a solo - but unlike them Konte keeps the harmony and melody going too. If Beethoven, or Charlie Parker, or Rachmanainoff or Earl Hines or Tony Williams were from Gambia they might sound almost as good as Konte.

Maybe. But I never heard of those musicians making grown men cry.