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Roots of Afropop
The musical phenomenon known as "Afropop" was pioneered in the 1950s with a guitarist and singer named Franco. Today: the remarkable tale of a Congolese musician and the rise of African pop music. And later: the music of Raul Midón draws on jazz and folk to a cappella and Latin influences. The New Mexico-born singer songwriter joins us for a live performance.
Franco and Soukous
Congolese icon Franco crafted his first guitar from tin of cooking oil. A few years later, he had become a driving force in the popularization of the Congolese “rumba” sound, which would later be called soukous and spread its influence across the globe. Franco’s long-time band, OK Jazz, had a motto - On entre O.K., on sort K.O. (one enters OK, one leaves KO'd) - and pushed the limits of free speech allowed by the Congolese monarchy. Ken Braun discusses the pop phenomenon and his impact on African politics and music.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Afropop and a busy weekend for world music in New York
Globalfest
Had Franco lived 50 years later, he might be in New York this weekend. Sunday night at Webster Hall marks Globalfest, New York’s annual sneak peek at artists that could be on the verge of international fame. The event brings together 12 world music acts on three stages. WNYC's Rob Weisberg shares his picks for the best of the bunch.
Raul Midón
Singer-songwriter Raul Midón began his career as a backup singer for well-known pop acts like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin. Yet his own music covers a variety of genres, from jazz and folk to a cappella and Latin influences. Blind since birth, the New York Times recently called him “a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus” that suggests “a three-way fusion of Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin and José Feliciano.”
Raul Midón performs at City Winery tonight. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9. More information here.
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Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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