Music, radio and life
TWO weeks ago, I wrote a longish essay on aspects of Nigerian music, which surprised quite a few readers, including Uncle Sam Amuka,
Harry Belafonte Died at 96
I woke up today to discover that YouTube had posted a 1988 concert in Germany, by Harry Belafonte. Of course, the live
“Majek Fashek: Still Raining, Gloriously”
In 1988, Majek Fashek released the album, PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE, which contained the hit song, Send Down the Rain. It was
Tony Allen, the master drummer: A tribute
We lost Tony Allen, one of the greatest drummers in the history of popular music. His collaboration with Fela created Afrobeat. As
What a week: Eduardo Galeano, Gunter Grass and Percy Sledge
On Monday night, the BBC’s NEWSHOUR programme, reported the passing of the Uruguayan leftwing writer, Eduardo Galeano 74, and the German writer,
Works of Cyprian Ekwensi
The works of Cyprian Ekwensi, particularly his PEOPLE OF THE CITY, were a very good reflection of the 1950s/60s. Remember that archetypal
Victor Olaiya and Tuface: Across musical generations
The recent collaborative venture between veteran Highlife musician, Victor Olaiya and contemporary artists, Tuface Idibia, has led to an emotional outpouring of
Chinua Achebe’s undying place in our memories
My earliest encounter with Chinua Achebe was not the usual “suspect”; his trailblazing work, Things Fall Apart. That came a bit later. I
Chinua Achebe, Biafra and the travesties of war (2)
“As we reached the brink of full-blown war it became clear to me that the chaos enveloping all of us in Nigeria
Chinua Achebe, Biafra and the travesties of war
DIDN’T remember to tell you yesterday, but I’ve just finished reading Achebe’s THERE WAS A COUNTRY. I’m amazed at his cavalier attitude to basic
Western Sahara: The vivid colours of desert life
DESERT life is very grey, drab and pitiless. The days and nights can be very cold an d punishingly windy. This is