Date: Saturday, July ,21, 2012
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge (NY)

Concert review by Chris Arnold

Thanks to the Le Poisson Rouge  we were treated to 21 non-stop, infectious songs by Madagascar’s top stars and showcasing distinct musical traditions not found anywhere else. For fans of guitar music it was an extra special treat with 3 very different styles on display.

Guitar virtuoso Charles Kely kicked of the concert with 4 songs of mesmerizing fretwork on a classical guitar that would put most jazz guitarists to shame.  Without bending any notes and playing without a pick, Kely created a sound that perfectly blends traditional and modern.  Built on his regional ba gasy music with jazzy phrasing up and down the neck and classical guitar finger picking mixed in, Kely synthesizes rhythm, melody and harmony taking an African approach to the guitar to a master’s level.  His musicianship and unique musical voice make Western “world music” critics’ discussions of authenticity irrelevant

The concert charged on at a furious pace with diva Razia Said next on stage, reminding the audience that the tour was about more than just enjoying amazing music. (Wake Up, Madagascar is the international tour extension of the Mifohaza Masoala  festival organized by Razia which took place in October of last year in Madagascar’s Masoala Rainforest to raise awareness about the environmental degradation plaguing her homeland.) Her 3 hit songs combined catchy, slower tempo vocals with double time drum and guitar: here we see just how different Madagascar is musically from the rest of the continent. Razia’s guitarist played fast and furiously, but not covering as many octaves as Kely, focusing more on rhythm.

For the eighth song, Claudine Robert Zafinera took the mic getting everyone on their feet with a bouncy, bass-driven dance music style emphasizing call and response vocal.  3 more in that vein, and some female pelvic gymnastics on stage, had the crowd on fire!

With the audience sufficiently lubricated, legendary “King of Salegy” Eusebe Jaojoby took the stage for nine rocking, ceaselessly upbeat tunes challenging anyone in earshot to sit still.  Everyone was dancing, cheering, singing, and a boot stomping dance akin to flamenco was even in evidence. Unlike the previous 2 players, Jaojoby’s guitarist played mostly on electric and alternated licks with the vocal line. Hearing this music, it is impossible not to smile. Of course one of the song titles is “Life Is Good.” What else could it be?

For song 17 we learned that the dancer and background singer is Jaojoby’s own daughter, and she got her own turn at the mic.  She can do even more with her vocal chords than she can with her hips!   If she doesn’t have her own career yet, she soon will.   This song, in particular, highlighted the beautiful, harp-like sound Malagasy guitarists are able to create by plucking the strings with their fingers instead of strumming.  Next, Jaojoby returned to the stage with his own political commentary and 2 more hit songs before being joined by all the musicians to sing the anthem of the tour, “Wake Up!”

By 10 pm it was all over.  When the lights came up it was clear that this was more than your typical music show. Multi-generational families kissing, expat Malagasy luminaries posing for photos:  this was a major event for NYC’s Malagasy community. Not only for them, though, as this music will linger in the minds, and hearts, of everyone who had the chance to be there!