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
