In review--Mali in shades of banjo blue
Leni Stern Sabani Independent release I sometimes wonder when the Malian musical star will fade out, but it just grows brighter each year. With western musicians such as Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, Corey Hart, Bonnie Raitt and Leni Stern collaborating with Malian musicians, not to mention the prominence of Malian musicians worldwide, the excitement just keeps growing. Guitarist-songwriter Leni Stern (German-born), has already lived a musically exciting life that would make any cultural creative proud. She has collaborated with Peruvians, performed at the Festival of the Desert (Saharan Desert, Mali), and jammed with the stellar lights of Malian music. And now, she’s released a blues album featuring the n’goni (grandfather of the banjo) performed by herself and Haruna Samake from Salif Keita’s band, with another Keita band member, Mamadou Kone brings percussion to the session. The result is the haunting Sabani --Malian blues with a feminin...