Let the children lead the way
Written on April 19, 2008
Since my son was born I’ve been introducing him slowly to the greats - we’re currently doing The Clash. The other day, however, he returned the favor. We were playing and listening to the podcast of NPR’s All Songs Considered. Something that I would have missed entirely caught the boy’s attention and enchanted him completely. It was the simple music of Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté. I’m not a fan of “world” music but as those of you who are parents will know, sometimes you take what works. Since my son introduced me to this elegantly beautiful music, I’ve become a big fan.
Toumani Diabaté’s newest solo effort “The Mande Variations” is out on World Circuit and is available from Amazon
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Filed in: world music.
My introduction of ‘the greats’ to the kiddos included teaching them The Chicken Dance this past week. It came up on an old mix CD I was playing. I figured if they can learn the Hokey Pokey, surely they can learn the Chicken Dance. Now I just need someone in my family to get married to show off our mad skills.