Well, we here at the station are still riding on the high of WFMU's broadcast from Damrosch Park last night, really one spectacular show all around. Hope you all caught it either in person or on the air/netwaves. Perfect weather, fantastic, grooving crowd of five or six thousand, and a stellar night with the Ex, Getatchew, Mahmoud & company. Trent and I each put some sets up on Flickr more to follow on FMU's page later I am sure. It's been a summer to remember in terms of live music in NYC, that's for sure.
I agree. That was a FANTASTIC show last night. Were there really "only" 6,000 people there? I'm bad with estimates of that nature, but there seemed to be so, so many people there.
I already knew I liked The Ex, but seeing them live cemented them into my heart. I wasn't familiar with the other groups/artists, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them.
What a great night. Thanks, FMU!
Posted by: Wendy del Formaggio | August 21, 2008 at 12:41 PM
The show last night was truly amazing. What a great combination of artists!
I have a question...There were a bunch of shows coming up that were mentioned on stage after Mahmoud was done playing, all of them sounded great. I thought I would remember but I don't...does anyone know what they were?
Posted by: erwin | August 21, 2008 at 01:09 PM
The Ex & Getatchew were phenomenal!! What an incredible performance!!
Such a great night all around. Thanks so much, WFMU!!!
Posted by: Emily | August 21, 2008 at 01:42 PM
set lists? what was that unaccompanied sax number Gétatchèw played?
AMAZING SHOW
Posted by: shawn | August 21, 2008 at 02:16 PM
What a show! I'm still totally blown away! Mahmoud Ahmed was fantastic! Thanks FMU!
Posted by: Listener Tom | August 21, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Hears the Ex's set streamed over my computer in F.L.A. I sooooooooo wished I was there. And that guy sure can play.
Posted by: Ray Zinnbrazen | August 21, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Brian, I was one of the folks you had in mind when you sent a special shout-out to folks seeing the Ex for the first time. And now I'm a believer, and how! I'm sure even the quintet by itself is great, but augmented by the three wind players, and especially by the colossal Getatchew, they were like nothing I've ever heard before. Mahmoud Ahmed had the presence of a benevolent king, and all others did a killer job as well.
Erwin, and others interested in the upcoming shows, go here:
http://tinyurl.com/6q5ge3
But do it fast, coz there are only three days of shows left.
Posted by: Parq | August 21, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Parq: "I'm sure even the quintet by itself is great"
Indeed it is -- though I believe The Ex proper is now a quartet (the bass player is part of this extended touring group).
Posted by: Jason Guthartz | August 21, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Colin plays in the expanded Ex, after RoseMarie left they have used Colin on and off; their last US tour he mixed sound while they played as a quartet (with Andy sometimes on baritone guitar). Colin, like Andy is an ex-Dog Faced Herman, a fantastic band in itself when they were together (Mississippi recently reissued an LP by them which may or may not still be around).
Posted by: Brian Turner | August 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM
What an electrifying combination of Western and Ethiopian music. The EX and Getachew Mekuria were fantastic. My first time hearing the EX. Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete brought back childhood memories of growing up in Ethiopia.
Thank you WFMU. Thank you Lincoln Center.
Posted by: Negash | August 22, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Jason, the bass player is a guest? That's amazing; he was the heart and soul of the band, IMO. His pounding, irresistible lines drove every other aspect of the music like a tatooed trucker drives an 18-wheeler.
Posted by: Parq | August 22, 2008 at 09:25 AM
does anyone have setlists for the opening acts? that was my first significant exposure to ethiopian music and there was some great stuff i'd love to hear again. thanks.
Posted by: | August 22, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Some kind soul has graciously uploaded the entire Ex performance on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/EEPEEYEEP
Posted by: rzb | August 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Some kind soul has graciously uploaded the entire Ex performance on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/EEPEEYEEP
Posted by: rzb | August 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
It was a good show and great people to watch. EX. Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete brought back childhood memories of growing up in Ethiopia.I felt very happy
__________________________________________________________________________________________
sarah
New York Drug Addiction
Posted by: sarah14 | August 24, 2008 at 10:20 PM