Friendly People & Chimney Choir / Cape Cod

Hootenastic harmony extravaganza with Chimney Choir and Friendly People at the Lilypad in Cambridge (12/5) and a weekend runaway in Cape Cod (10/6-10/8).

Fatoumata Diawara (Oct. 2, 2012)

I had the pleasure of seeing Fatoumata Diawara of Mali (via Paris) perform at Johnny D's in Somerville. She and her multi-national band cut through the stuffiness of the venue in just a few songs, turning the crowd of quietly eating "world music" aficionados into a free-for-all dance party. Her  uplifting but profound melodies, her smile, her infectious on-stage energy and the genuineness of her pleas for world peace could make the most bitter of enemies lay down their arms. I left dizzy, inspired and with my senses on a rollercoaster I wish wouldn't end. Hopefully these snaps do some justice to the music, spirit and energy of the night (along with the dopeness of Maggie's dance-moves when she was dragged onstage).