Customer Reviews

Soukous in Central Park

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what the rest of these reviews are talking about, that the recording wasn't that good. The recording was excellent. I've listened to worse live performances.... Anyway, as far as i'm concerned, this is the best of all kanda's CD.

I was quite disappointed that Ryko would put out something that sounds like an amateur recorded it. With that in mind, maybe this was the only recording of this wonderful concert. The song selection is outstanding, however, highlighting Kanda's greatest hits. But again, the flat recording and lack of audience presence on the disk distracts from the harmonious event that happened that day in Central Park. If you are a fan, though, it is definitely worth a listen for its historical charm.

I came accross this cd in a second hand shop after only hearing one soucous compillation previously. I was gobsmacked by the never ending faultless virtuosity of the guitarist. More so because the emotional voltage was joyous and induced euphoria in listener and dancer.
My primary objective has become to create a band to play music like this.

For me, this album is Kanda Bongo Man showcasing guitarist Nene Tshakou. And that's where Kanda's credits lie. This live show is a lead guitar issue. The singer acts as an "animateur" paving the ground for the showdown of the plectrist. Tshakou adds electricity to this session with his own solos, while preceding them with the original phrases Diblo Dibala played on studio recordings of most of the tunes on the CD. It's definitely dance music. If you're not prompted to dance by Kanda's calls (Twende! Twende! which in English would roughly translate into Come on! Come on!), you'll most certainly shake your body to Tshakou's compelling licks, which take on special intensity with the trademark repetition of soukous guitarists: Tshakou will repeat a combination of two licks for 30 seconds! Listen to him.

I only say I wish I could have been at the concert! The music here is vintage Kanda; every song is a genuine hit. The only problem I had was with the production values. It's the rare live album that manages to capture the excitement of the actual performance, and this one certainly fits that bill. Great album for the compilation, but to get a more exciting version, buy some of the studio albums (Kwassa Kwassa, Zing Zong, Amour Fou, to name a few).

Folks, I wished I'd been there that day. But I wasn't, and this CD is a testament to Kanda Bongo Man's showmanship and virtuosity. Shall I also mention Fun? Dancing? Exuberance? So there!