Yes, we know that it is also Rosh Hashanah, but we’ve published so much already about the Jewish High Holidays that we thought it was time to blow another new year’s horn. That it happens to Ethiopia’s big day is convenient because it gives us a chance to tip our hat to some music that would feature prominently on the KtB soundtrack, if KtB had a soundtrack: Ethiopiques, the excellent collection of albums of Ethiopian jazz and pop from the 1960s and 70s, released by the aptly named French label Buda Musique.
No, it’s not particularly “religious” or “spiritual” (though the guy who gets up to show off his two-step is clearly moved by something), but here’s the KtB angle: A friend of ours recently had a cab ride with an Ethiopian driver in Washington, DC. He was playing one of Ethiopiques albums on his stereo and we he heard that our friend knew and liked the music he nearly drove off the road.
“You must go see them play!” the cab driver said.
“Where would I do that?” our friend asked.
“In Addis Ababa, of course! They are old men now, and the young people don’t know them. But they play in all the churches!”
3 Comments
September 13, 2007 at 11:46 pm
In Ethiopia, this year is 2000. They are celebrating a new millennium as well: an especially joyous New Year!
September 27, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Maritu Legesse is another Ethiopian artist well worth discovering.
October 8, 2007 at 5:01 pm
One of the most exciting things about being in Addis for the Millenium, beyond the 15 foot tall white doves in Meskle square, was the music. It was everywhere all day and all night. Children danced as they shined shoes, women sang as they sold tomatoes, the streets swayed with it. Unfortunately, the major concert featuring most of Ethiopia’s expat musicians was held at the Ethiopia-posh Sheraton hotel and cost 1,500 Birr or about $166. A lot more than most Ethiopians could pay! I settled for the ETV live broadcast and shook my shoulders all night.