concert_goer | Entries tagged with cyrille brotto

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The Senegalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko and the French diatonic accordionist Cyrille Brotto in concert at the Freight. They played quite a lot of tunes, some instrumental and others featuring Ablaye's vocals. I had listened to one of the duo's albums and was somewhat puzzled by the constantly shifting moods and the overall experimental feel of the recording, but the live show turned out to be very different. The kora and accordion blended impressively, creating a beautiful melodic tapestry. Most of the pieces were slow, calm, and meditative, and a couple fiery ones made it into the mix as well. A charming concert! That said, speaking about the kora, I was more impressed by its weaving with guitar, delivered in the performance by Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper at the Freight back in January, though I still thoroughly enjoyed Ablaye and Cyrille's show. They played for about an hour and a half.

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This collaboration between Senegalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko and French accordionist Cyrille Brotto offers a truly unique pairing of instruments. At times, their dialog feels unconventional, as if the sounds don’t quite align. This chamber type music demands patience to fully appreciate, its sparse texture takes time to resonate. The constantly shifting moods and atmospheres add complexity for the listener, despite the minimalist setup of just two instruments. Ablaye's vocals are impressive, adding a meditative depth to the experience. While the album is undeniably intriguing, it presents a challenge for those unaccustomed to its nuances.