(photo left: Konstantin's Flickr page)
When WFMU was first presented with the ability to put on some free NYC concerts via the New York State Music Fund grant, the obvious first notion was "who would we like to see in NYC that has never played before?" So we wound up the ball and sent the pitch over to Lincoln Center's Bill Bragin: how about Holland's greatest punk exports the Ex coming over (which they have in the past on many occasions), but this time bringing over some of their great international musician friends? The ones only Europe usually
gets to see (or Ethiopia, if you happen to be there when the
Ex make their fabled stops). We passed contacts to Lincoln Center, Terrie Ex got in touch with his fellow travelers, and then the ball was knocked outta the park in a severe way. The result? Lincoln Center's Out of Doors series in collaboration with WFMU's grant
giving you all the chance to see the US debut of a major international collaboration for free at Lincoln Center/Damrosch Park Bandshell on West 62nd Street at Amsterdam in Manhattan, Wednesday, August 20th from 6-10 PM. Yes, free. No advance ticketing. On the bill:
The Ex with Gétatchèw Mèkurya (renowned Ethiopian saxophone legend), and if that weren't enough, Lincoln Center added two amazing East African/American collaborations to the bill: Either/Orchestra with Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté, plus Extra Golden.
If you're a fan of these artists, or Ethiopian/African sounds in general, you know this show is the event you've been waiting for. We've already spoken at length on the joys of WFMU aligning with the Ex in the past; they are among the most freeform and inspiring musicians and people we've had the fortune to experience live and on record. To hear them in full steamroller twin-guitar attack joined by the 73-year old Lion of Ethiopian saxophone is going to be a musical experience we're all gonna remember. More below on the entire fantastic bill (and don't forget the July 4th free Sonic Youth/Feelies show at Battery Park WFMU is lending support to Downtown Alliance/River to River for!):
6PM: Extra Golden
Kenyan and American cooperative Extra Golden integrates Kenyan benga music and American rock in a union that represents the vanguard of both styles and transcends the very notion of authenticity. While the defining element of Extra Golden may be the cross-cultural cooperation of its members, drawn from Kenya's Bilongo Golden Stars and Orchestra Extra Solar Africa and Washington DC's Golden, styles like rock and benga are not quite as disparate as some may believe. Both arose from people cranking up electric guitars and singing melodic songs over propulsive rhythms with exuberance that is designed to make an audience move.
Extra Golden's live session on WFMU's Transpacific Sound Paradise January 13,2007 (Real Audio)
NPR's spotlight on Extra Golden
7PM: Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté with the Either/Orchestra
One of the most beloved singers of Ethiopia's "golden era" of the late 60s and early 70s, Mahmoud Ahmed's brassy, electric urban pop is swinging and hypnotic, heart-rending and funky. A true Ethiopian legend, Alèmayèhu Eshèté
is often described as the "Ethiopian James Brown," or "Abyssinian Elvis," thanks to his wild and electrifying stage performances. The ten-piece Either/Orchestra, founded in 1985 by saxophonist/composer Russ Gershon, has earned a reputation for its fearless repertoire, top-shelf ensemble play, highly talented soloists and boundless desire to connect with audiences. In 2004 the E/O became the first US big band to perform in Ethiopia since Duke Ellington's in 1973. Their Ethiopiques: Live in Addis concert and CD began a series of collaborations with the top names in Ethiopian music, reviving and updating the classic Ethiopian groove of the 60's and 70's, most recently featured on a new DVD of a collaboration with Mahmoud Ahmed. Buda Musique's Ethiopiques CD series has been crucial in presenting these sounds again.
Mahmoud Ahmed "Tezeta" (Real Audio)
Alèmayèhu Eshèté "Temar Ledje" (Real Audio)
Either/Orchestra "Shellela (live in Addis)" (Real Audio)
8:30PM The Ex with Gétatchèw Mèkurya
Gétatchèw Mèkurya, the King of Ethiopian saxophone, is a real giant, both physically and musically. Seventy three years old, but still in full voice, with his own powerfully distinctive style of playing, he is the inventor of a musical style called the Shellele, which originates from a heroic war chant, translated to the saxophone.
The Ex, Holland's legendary avant-improv-world-punkband, has been crossing borders for more than 28 years. Discordant, highly rhythmic guitars and the rolling, almost African drumming style give The Ex's music its special character. After touring Ethiopia twice, in 2004 The Ex celebrated their 25th musical anniversary and invited Gétatchèw to join them in the Netherlands. The resultant pairing, featured on their new DVD, is both thrilling and unique: Gétatchèw`s melodies and solos mesh with The Ex's rhythm, noise and vocals, supported by a guest horn section, like they were made for each other.
Ex guitarist Andy Moor's Hugh Tracey/African music special for WFMU, broadcast 11/15/05 (Real Audio)
The Ex's 9/11/04 Knitting Factory NYC show, fully broadcast on WFMU here (Real Audio)
Gétatchèw Mèkurya "Shellela" (Real Audio)
The Ex with Getatchew "Ethiopia Hagere" from their Terp release Moa Anbessa (Real Audio)
Listen to the Ex's live session on Brian Turner's show, broadcast 1/9/07 (Real Audio). Video of "Waiting" live at WFMU below.
awesome,
bloggersmosaic.com
Posted by: bloggersmosaic | April 29, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Looks like an amazing show. Too bad I live 1000 miles away.
Posted by: Joe | April 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM
This is incredible news.
Posted by: Lars | April 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM
@ Joe,
That really is a shame. I only live 900 miles away and I will be there. I lived in NJ in 2004. I knew the Ex were playing at the Knitting Factory. I elected not to go. Now all I have to show for that decision is the DVD on Touch and Go, which really twists the knife. They were having a very good evening to say the least.
Posted by: yazoo | April 29, 2008 at 02:28 PM
I won't be able to go either, and I'm bummed. I'll be 1300 miles away. And, I know Bill Bragin. (I used to anyway.)
Posted by: Listener_Paul | April 29, 2008 at 04:19 PM
I saw the Ex with Gétatchèw in Amsterdam in November on one of the handful of shows they've been playing in Europe..... Just one the best shows ever. Worth traveling 900, 1000, even 1300 miles. No joke.
Hey everyone needs to go out and get Andy Moor's outstanding recent solo record 'Marker', too.
Posted by: Listener Emile | April 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Thanks. This series is kicking ass in a thoroughly ass-kicking way.
Posted by: | April 30, 2008 at 01:38 PM
please forward my request that they play an extended jam on "kokend asfalt" -- that song with the sax would levitate manhattan.
Posted by: oooooh! whoo! whoa! | May 01, 2008 at 09:26 AM
YES!!!!
Posted by: | May 03, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Can you play this on the radio?????
I want to hear it!
Posted by: Daniel | July 11, 2008 at 03:37 PM
this is gonna be the best show of the summer. total awesomeness!
Posted by: listener tom | August 05, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I taped (audio) The Ex with Getatchew Mekurya last night at The Ottobar in Baltimore. If you're anywhere near NYC on Aug 20, this is the show to see. Check it out for yourself:
http://av.beatbots.com/2008/08/15/the-ex-with-getatchew-mekurya-the-ottobar-baltimore-md-august-14-2008/
Posted by: Jeff | August 15, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I taped (audio) The Ex with Getatchew Mekurya last night at The Ottobar in Baltimore. If you're anywhere near NYC on Aug 20, this is the show to see. Check it out for yourself:
http://av.beatbots.com/2008/08/15/the-ex-with-getatchew-mekurya-the-ottobar-baltimore-md-august-14-2008/
Posted by: Jeff | August 15, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I taped (audio) The Ex with Getatchew Mekurya last night at The Ottobar in Baltimore. If you're anywhere near NYC on Aug 20, this is the show to see. Check it out for yourself:
http://av.beatbots.com/2008/08/15/the-ex-with-getatchew-mekurya-the-ottobar-baltimore-md-august-14-2008/
Posted by: Jeff | August 15, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I saw the The Ex with G. Mekurya last night in Chicago and it was an incredible show, such energy, and heart, and RHYTHM. This was one of the best shows I have ever seen. There was such a good feeling about it all, between them, between them and the audience, within the audience; and they were all so technically good on every level. Great melody and interplay. FUN.
Posted by: Marie | August 18, 2008 at 10:49 AM
just came from the show. scale of 1 to 10 = 12. sit in the section up front with all the ethiopeans and you needn't bother sitting--dance or else. extra golden was a fine opener, highlife gtr and leads that could be mistaken for garcia, and N.O. 2nd-line drumming where the beatsman kept almost leaping up from his stool he was romping so hard. Alèmayèhu played it like vegas and did the ladies ever eat it up, but his GFOS impersonation lacked only a cape for him to shrug off. i had 'ere mela mela' back in the 80s and played it whenever i wanted to feel like a hashish dervish. he comes on like a flanuer, a boulevardier, looking more like the king than haillie selassie, in white robe and red sash--debonaire and still slaying the ladies at 60 or so. as for the ex? heard 'em with tom cora on cello way back in the day but this was a brand new bag, like the clash taking up with zappa's orchestration charts. and talk about a wind-up, that dancer may have been their take on happy monday's bez--or not--but don't think i've ever seen any rockshow where a guy could duet with a dagger, next to the saber dance by katchakurian. PLEASE POST THIS SHOW FOR POSTERITY!
Posted by: carle Groome | August 21, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Absolutely incredible show - every moment! I really hope it becomes available on WFMU for download / streaming / as a fundraising item. I hope it was well recorded. Incredible. Way to go, WFMU, thank you! (And thanks to Bill Bragin & Lincoln Center, too!)
Posted by: Ljova | August 21, 2008 at 12:18 AM
A question: does anyone know the name of the dancer? He was incredible and his name should be recorded for posterity.
Kat's singing and drumming could get lost amidst the worthy praise shed on the Papas of Ethiopian jazz, so I just want to say that once again, she moved me to tears. That was such a gift WFMU, thank you for making it happen.
Posted by: sese | August 21, 2008 at 09:08 AM
The dancer = Melaku.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8oSZ4a9O08
Posted by: BrianTurner | August 21, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Simply one of the most amazing concerts I can remember. Well the Rhys Chatham concert on Friday promised to be good too but that's another story. I've seen the Ex before and they are always great but the horn section and Getatchew gave it entirely another dimension. One of my friends complained that the guitars were pretty low in the mix which was true but he's also right that they are really respectful and don't have the big 'singing/guitars take center stage' attitude. Everything interweaved in a really beautiful way. The ending was incredible - it had the same quality of New Orleans funeral music - both incredibly sad and celebratory at the same time. I'm extremely thankful when these rare gems of shows come along.
Posted by: Ben R | August 21, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Brian..... thank you for Melaku's name! The video is great, too.
Posted by: sese | August 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Incredible show, wonderful vibe. Thank you WFMU for doing this.
Posted by: Dave McMullin | August 21, 2008 at 06:07 PM
This show was fantastic. Any chance there is a podcast of it somewhere on this site or elsewhere? I haven't been able to track one down, but I sure as well want to hear it.
Posted by: dan | September 17, 2008 at 12:28 PM