ShortWaveMusic 2012: Timbuktu

Hi Shortwave Fans!

 Here's something you should check. It's a wonderful YouTube video of one man's visit to Northern Mali, arriving at the famous music festival of Timbuktu. Along the way he leaves the camera running on some fascinating sights and sounds of Mali. There are also some fleeting glimpses of the Bamako transmitters and a local village FM station (Radio Jamana) where the audio mode of choice is still the cassette! 

 The soundtrack for the film comes from live performances and actual audio received from local radio stations heard during the tour. This film is a wonderful look into the daily lives of our West African brothers and sisters. 

 It also speaks volumes for how important music is viewed by the local people. The recent rebel Islamist insurgence into that part of the country was potentially a disaster for the local communities because the invaders imposed bans on the playing and listening of music. Several weeks ago, when the Malian and French armed forces drove out the the rebels, there was much dancing and singing in the streets! 

 ShortWaveMusic 2012: Timbuktu

If your Internet connection can cope with it, you might want to enjoy this film at full screen in 1080p HD. If so, click on the link above to take you direct to YouTube. Otherwise use the embedded video link below.


Myke Dodge Weiskopf describes himself as a radio producer and historian, broadcast artist, multi-instrumentalist, sound recordist, and composer based in Los Angeles, CA. His ShortWaveMusic is a global sound project dedicated to preserving the world's musical traditions and folklore as heard on local, regional, and international radio.

His website is also interesting and can be found at:

 www.myke.me 

 If you are into North and West African music also check out Myke's audio recordings of Mali's famous Festival du Desert with audio clips of people such as the legendary Abdoulaye Diabate.

 If you enjoyed the video, let me know in the feedback box below.

 Happy foot tappin' everyone!!

 Rob VK3BVW

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