Search - Tri Continental :: Let's Play

What world music should be

Nobody important | 12/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tri Continental is a Canada-based folk group consisting of Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim. Madagascar Slim is, not surprisingly, a native of Madagascar who grew up listening to a range of music from Malagasy folk music to Hendrix. He has developed a guitar style reflecting those influences, alternating between something reminiscent of D'Gary or Dama Mahaleo, and an American blues-rock guitarist in the Hendrix tradition. Lester Quitzau is more of a straight blues player with an emphasis on slide. Bill Bourne is an acoustic guitarist and singer with a voice that sounds like a cleaner version of Tom Waits. Together, their music does exactly what you would expect-- it draws on a range of influences across the world, encompassing various African styles, Western folk, blues, and various island styles. It is exciting, different, and well-played, with moods that range from slightly melancholy to boisterous. Those looking for pure acoustic music should look elsewhere since these three blend acoustic and electric, but never go into full-blown rock mode.



Personally, I am not as fond of Bill Bourne's solo material. Madagascar Slim has a solo album called OmniSource, which is a bit more strictly Malagasy, although heavily electric. It is highly recommended. Also, he plays guitar for Ndidi Onukwulu, whose first album was a fantastic blend of blues, jazz and hints of African influence. Of Quitzau's other projects, I am most fond of his duet album with Mae Moore, "Oh My."



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