FELA! Performs at the Tony Awards

I understand. Not many do in America. He was stubborn and refused to make his music commercial. Paul McCartney liked his music and wished for a collaboration.Below is an article.

Paul McCartney found himself in Lagos in August 1972. The plan had been to record a new record - the record that became Band on the Run - at somewhere other than Abbey Road and EMI had offered one of its studios in Rio de Janeiro or Peking. Instead, the former Beatle insisted on the Nigerian capital, picturing himself 'lying on the beach all day doing nothing and recording at night'.

As he drily noted later, 'it didn't turn out quite like that', what with being held up at knife point, the lepers in the streets, the omnipresent military, the corruption and the lack of security. Still, Lagos had its attractions. Chief among these was the chance to check out Fela Ransome-Kuti's band - 'the best band I've ever seen live ... When Fela and his band eventually began to play, after a long, crazy build-up, I just couldn't stop weeping with joy. It was a very moving experience.'

Thrilled by his experience, McCartney thought of recording with some of the musicians working with the extraordinary 33-year-old firebrand. When Fela caught wind of the plan he denounced McCartney from the stage of his club and then arrived unannounced at the studio to berate him for 'stealing black man's music'. see link
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JordanC said:
I like your excitement but must confess I never heard of him.
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Great concert! (I watched some not all of it) ^ ^ ^

*On a side note, I have a Shanachie compilation of world music (mostly African) I will check to see if he is on it...I know King Sunny Ade is, whose music I have loved since I was a teen...

naija4real said:
[YOUTUBE]IQBC5URoF0s&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
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I like this ^ (and some others you posted) ....
It's so weird how you keep taking me way back to my memories in OZ. I have always loved high-life music. Back home, a former boyfriend was the lead singer of a local Ghanian group called Mobossa or Mombosa (i can't recall the exact spelling now:)) who played this style of music and it was the one of the fondest/bestest times of my life!
(lots of :weedman: with that experience tho, damn, lol).
 
It tickles seeing this response. You have had such a rich experience though, that's so cool. I know King Sunny Ade, I enjoyed his music growing up and he sings in my language.

Also, did you know that Fela lived in exile in Ghana for a while. This might explain the influences in the Ghanian musical group you listened to. That said, I think Nigeria and Ghanian music influenced each other.

Bliss said:
Great concert! (I watched some not all of it) ^ ^ ^

*On a side note, I have a Shanachie compilation of world music (mostly African) I will check to see if he is on it...I know King Sunny Ade is, whose music I have loved since I was a teen...



I like this ^ (and some others you posted) ....
It's so weird how you keep taking me way back to my memories in OZ. I have always loved high-life music. Back home, a former boyfriend was the lead singer of a local Ghanian group called Mobossa or Mombosa (i can't recall the exact spelling now:)) who played this style of music and it was the one of the fondest/bestest times of my life!
(lots of :weedman: with that experience tho, damn, lol).
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naija4real said:
It tickles seeing this response. You have had such a rich experience though, that's so cool. I know King Sunny Ade, I enjoyed his music growing up and he sings in my language.

Also, did you know that Fela lived in exile in Ghana for a while. This might explain the influences in the Ghanian musical group you listened to. That said, I think Nigeria and Ghanian music influenced each other.
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Yes KSA is Nigerian, I knew you'd know him. :)
No, I didn't know Fela even went into exile. Wow.
Agreed they are very cross-influenced...

Ahhh, now you make me crave for fufu and some fish stew...or better yet, some chicken peanut soup! :mrgreen:
 
It so cool to know I can trust your judgement on good fish stew and chicken peanut soup. I am now salivating. :D

Bliss said:
Yes KSA is Nigerian, I knew you'd know him. :)
No, I didn't know Fela even went into exile. Wow.
Agreed they are very cross-influenced...

Ahhh, now you make me crave for fufu and some fish stew...or better yet, some chicken peanut soup! :mrgreen:
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