African Music misplaced one of many Titans final week within the dying of guitarist Amadu Babayoko, who recorded alongside the American rock star, and performed at Barack Obama’s Nobel live performance, turning into a nationwide icon of Mali at house.
Collectively together with his spouse, singer Mariam Dumbia, Bagayoko composed the duos Amadou and Mariam. “An exquisite Sunday.”
When Babayoko handed away final week, she was 70 years outdated on account of problems from malaria an infection. The 66-year-old and his spouse have been scheduled to carry out throughout Europe subsequent month. And for the reason that peak of their international success, their fame has declined within the US, however they remained an enormous superstar at In Europe and West Africa, their music influenced a era of artists.
We requested Bagayoko’s kin and mates about Amadou & Mariam’s favourite songs and the significance of his guitarist and his music (a mix of blues riffs, guitar solos, and Jembe).
“Tubarakono”
Keyboardist Chick Tidian Sek, who knew Bagayoko as a result of the guitarist was 14 years outdated, was on the close by Ivory Coast for a live performance when Babayoko handed away.
Seck held a live performance with the tune “Toubala Kono,” which he wrote with Bagayoko, whom he referred to as “brother.”
However he could not do it, he stated in an interview, including, “I’d have collapsed.”
The spare reverberating guitars make a round riff, and the tune revolves round loneliness.
“Mogoya”
Sambabayoko is the one one of many three youngsters, Bagayoko and Dumbia, to embrace a music profession. He toured together with his dad and mom, was in Paris, hosted a live performance deliberate in France when Bakayoko handed away.
His dad and mom have been notably pleased with how their songs have been interesting to the youthful era, he stated in a cellphone interview with Bamako, the Mali capital and household house, that guests have been coming to pay tribute this week.
His favourite tune is “Mogoya.” He composed his dad and mom for him to carry out with him. Within the tune, whereas he performs guitar together with his father, his mom sings about his every day life in Mali, promising that folks usually can’t keep.
“It is all the time been an honor to play with my dad and mom, however this was our final collaboration,” stated Sam, 45.
“I am going to consider you.”
Mali’s well-known musician and singer Idrissa Soumaoro met Mr. Bagayoko in 1973. At age 19, he joined the band Les Ambassadées du Motel des Bamaco.
He instantly stated, “Amadow is brilliant and bold.”
Later that decade, Sumaolo skilled Bakayoko and Dumbia at Marian Nationwide Faculty for the Blind, the place they deepened their friendship. (Mr. Bakayoko was simply as blind as his spouse.)
At college, Sumaolo stated he spent hours listening to the blues within the rehearsal room and labored on the tone of what Sumaolo referred to as “a analysis piece he is by no means finished with different musicians.”
Soumaoro selected “I Assume About You,” a love tune launched by the duo in 2005, and stated the couple’s love is “a part of their success.”
“In it, Amadou sings, ‘I consider you, and do not abandon me,'” Sumaolo, 75.
He added: “I hope Mariam has the facility to carry life.”
