Today's DailyOM Offerings...
May 26, 2009
Djelika
Toumani Diabate
1995
There’s a slight familiarity to the sound of the 21-stringed kora, a traditional West African instrument. Its timbre sounds halfway between a harp’s and a hammer dulcimer’s; it’s capable of resonating like an acoustic blues guitar might, or streaming out full washes of gilded notes. In the hands of master Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté, the instrument sings and dances too. Diabaté’s collaborations with non-African musicans like Björk, Taj Mahal, and the flamenco group Ketama have made him one of the world’s finest, and most adventurous, ambassadors of traditional West African music. On Djelika, he and fellow Malians Kélétigui Diabaté (no relation; on balafon, an African xylophone) and Bassekou Kouyate (on ngoni, similar to a banjo) concoct a delightful admixture of African polyrhythms and jazzlike interplay. The sounds are unlike anything you’ve heard before, but the playful tone of these pieces feels as familiar as an afternoon of chattering with old friends.
The opening title track is all propulsive rhythm and tumbling solos. Balafon, ngoni, and upright bass inhabit a jungle of interlocking note patterns that thrums with life. Diabaté’s kora glides over the treetops, alighting on branches and flying away again; a brief balafon solo sounds like the gonzo knocking of a woodpecker. In contrast, the continuum of plucked string motifs on "Cheick Oumar Bah" has a calming sweetness to it. Those two chords could cycle on forever, the kora’s twirling, whirling curlicues throwing off glints of light as they go.
Djelika may be credited to Toumani Diabaté, but the album nicely balances the virtuoso playing of all three main musicians. Each one gets a chance to ply his wares in the bustling marketplace of "Sankoun Djabi"; the kora spins its gold leaf, the balafon clomps out quirky percussive lines, the ngoni twangs on taut wire. They support each other, filling in the other’s gaps. Colorful and intricate, melodic and rhythmically thrilling, this is communal music-making of the highest order.
May 26, 2009
What You Have
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Seeing the inequality your brothers and sisters in humanity deal with today can inspire you to open your heart to people in need. Because you are likely in a generous mood, you may want nothing more than to share all you have with others. Dismay can strike suddenly, however, if you examine your existence and cannot think of a single way to ease people's suffering because you believe you have nothing to give. Creative thought can help you overcome this temporary roadblock today by showing you how much you have that may be useful to another. Whether you give of your time or your wisdom, your contributions will no doubt be appreciated.
As much as we may consider our lives lacking when we look around ourselves, we are rich in that we have so much to give those whose lives have been less fortunate than our own. If we have little in the way of excess resources, we nonetheless have all of the wisdom and experiences we have acquired over time at our disposal. The people who have chosen to follow a path similar to our own can benefit greatly from knowing more about what awaits them as they move forward. Those whose goals do not mirror our own can still find comfort in the fact that we overcome many roadblocks to get where we are in the present, as it means that there is hope for those still struggling to prevail over adversity. You may have little other than hope to give today, yet you can still make a difference in someone's life.
May 26, 2009
Effort and Understanding
Having It Easy
Our lives are an exercise in facing challenges. We dream the grandest of dreams as youngsters only to discover that we must cultivate copious inner strength and determination in order to meet our goals. Our hard work does not always yield the results we expect. And it is when we find ourselves frustrated by the trials we face or unable to meet our own expectations that we are most apt to take notice of those individuals who appear to accomplish great feats effortlessly. Some people’s lives seem to magically fall into place. We can see the blessings they have received, the ease with which they have attained their desires, their unwavering confidence, and their wealth. But, because we can never see the story of their lives as a whole, it is important that we refrain from passing judgment or becoming envious.
Throughout our lives, we glimpse only the outer hull of others’ life experiences, so it’s tempting to presuppose that the abundance they enjoy is the result of luck rather than diligent effort. In a small number of cases, our assumptions may mirror reality. But very few people “have it easy.” Everyone must overcome difficulties and everyone has been granted a distinctive set of talents with which to do so. An individual who is highly gifted may nonetheless have to practice industriously and correct themselves repeatedly in order to cultivate their talents. Their myriad accomplishments are more likely than not the result of ongoing hard work and sacrifice. You, no doubt, have natural abilities that you have nurtured and your gifts may be the very reason you strive as tirelessly as you do. Yet others see only the outcome of your efforts and not the efforts themselves
Our intellects, our hearts, and our souls are constantly being tested by the universe. Life will create new challenges for you to face each time you prove yourself capable of overcoming the challenges of the past. What you deem difficult will always differ from that which others deem difficult. The tests you will be given will be as unique as you are. If you focus on doing the best you can and making use of the blessings you have been granted, the outcome of your efforts will be a joyous reflection of your dedication.
Djelika
Toumani Diabate
1995
There’s a slight familiarity to the sound of the 21-stringed kora, a traditional West African instrument. Its timbre sounds halfway between a harp’s and a hammer dulcimer’s; it’s capable of resonating like an acoustic blues guitar might, or streaming out full washes of gilded notes. In the hands of master Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté, the instrument sings and dances too. Diabaté’s collaborations with non-African musicans like Björk, Taj Mahal, and the flamenco group Ketama have made him one of the world’s finest, and most adventurous, ambassadors of traditional West African music. On Djelika, he and fellow Malians Kélétigui Diabaté (no relation; on balafon, an African xylophone) and Bassekou Kouyate (on ngoni, similar to a banjo) concoct a delightful admixture of African polyrhythms and jazzlike interplay. The sounds are unlike anything you’ve heard before, but the playful tone of these pieces feels as familiar as an afternoon of chattering with old friends.
The opening title track is all propulsive rhythm and tumbling solos. Balafon, ngoni, and upright bass inhabit a jungle of interlocking note patterns that thrums with life. Diabaté’s kora glides over the treetops, alighting on branches and flying away again; a brief balafon solo sounds like the gonzo knocking of a woodpecker. In contrast, the continuum of plucked string motifs on "Cheick Oumar Bah" has a calming sweetness to it. Those two chords could cycle on forever, the kora’s twirling, whirling curlicues throwing off glints of light as they go.
Djelika may be credited to Toumani Diabaté, but the album nicely balances the virtuoso playing of all three main musicians. Each one gets a chance to ply his wares in the bustling marketplace of "Sankoun Djabi"; the kora spins its gold leaf, the balafon clomps out quirky percussive lines, the ngoni twangs on taut wire. They support each other, filling in the other’s gaps. Colorful and intricate, melodic and rhythmically thrilling, this is communal music-making of the highest order.
May 26, 2009
What You Have
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Seeing the inequality your brothers and sisters in humanity deal with today can inspire you to open your heart to people in need. Because you are likely in a generous mood, you may want nothing more than to share all you have with others. Dismay can strike suddenly, however, if you examine your existence and cannot think of a single way to ease people's suffering because you believe you have nothing to give. Creative thought can help you overcome this temporary roadblock today by showing you how much you have that may be useful to another. Whether you give of your time or your wisdom, your contributions will no doubt be appreciated.
As much as we may consider our lives lacking when we look around ourselves, we are rich in that we have so much to give those whose lives have been less fortunate than our own. If we have little in the way of excess resources, we nonetheless have all of the wisdom and experiences we have acquired over time at our disposal. The people who have chosen to follow a path similar to our own can benefit greatly from knowing more about what awaits them as they move forward. Those whose goals do not mirror our own can still find comfort in the fact that we overcome many roadblocks to get where we are in the present, as it means that there is hope for those still struggling to prevail over adversity. You may have little other than hope to give today, yet you can still make a difference in someone's life.
May 26, 2009
Effort and Understanding
Having It Easy
Our lives are an exercise in facing challenges. We dream the grandest of dreams as youngsters only to discover that we must cultivate copious inner strength and determination in order to meet our goals. Our hard work does not always yield the results we expect. And it is when we find ourselves frustrated by the trials we face or unable to meet our own expectations that we are most apt to take notice of those individuals who appear to accomplish great feats effortlessly. Some people’s lives seem to magically fall into place. We can see the blessings they have received, the ease with which they have attained their desires, their unwavering confidence, and their wealth. But, because we can never see the story of their lives as a whole, it is important that we refrain from passing judgment or becoming envious.
Throughout our lives, we glimpse only the outer hull of others’ life experiences, so it’s tempting to presuppose that the abundance they enjoy is the result of luck rather than diligent effort. In a small number of cases, our assumptions may mirror reality. But very few people “have it easy.” Everyone must overcome difficulties and everyone has been granted a distinctive set of talents with which to do so. An individual who is highly gifted may nonetheless have to practice industriously and correct themselves repeatedly in order to cultivate their talents. Their myriad accomplishments are more likely than not the result of ongoing hard work and sacrifice. You, no doubt, have natural abilities that you have nurtured and your gifts may be the very reason you strive as tirelessly as you do. Yet others see only the outcome of your efforts and not the efforts themselves
Our intellects, our hearts, and our souls are constantly being tested by the universe. Life will create new challenges for you to face each time you prove yourself capable of overcoming the challenges of the past. What you deem difficult will always differ from that which others deem difficult. The tests you will be given will be as unique as you are. If you focus on doing the best you can and making use of the blessings you have been granted, the outcome of your efforts will be a joyous reflection of your dedication.