The 37th edition of Nuits d’Afrique was officially launched on Wednesday evening in the effervescent context of a most anticipated return. Normal, Her Angelic Majesty was in town.
Finally, she’s back! It is 9:30 p.m., the atmosphere is warm, the welcome delirious. These African Nights are well and truly propelled into orbit, courtesy of the 63-year-old Beninese.
The UNICEF Global Ambassador wowed us all with a punchy concert and heart-pounding songs. Crosseyed and Painless by the Talking Heads, taken from the album Remain in Light (1980), with its frenetic pace, had the crowd delirious from the start. Strumming Funky on the guitar, molten congas, it’s well torched! Africa, One of a Kind gives a little more fuel to the concert of the New Yorker, helped by four musicians experienced in transmissible grooves.
“Good evening, Montreal! Are you doing well ? It’s been a while and I miss you so much. I’ve been here for four days and I don’t want to leave. I will always appreciate your warm welcome. We need your energy and enthusiasm. »
She pays tribute to Cuban singer Celia Cruz with Bemba colorá, an inspiring message to women. It’s embodied, no showing off here.
Under her evocation of high priestess, her manner, her look, Angélique Kidjo, winner of the 2023 Polar Music Prize, is in osmosis with her audience. She seems to like swimming against the tide with the North African scents of Sahara, with a more syncopated approach, guitar solo to match, all in all less convincing.
Once in a Lifetime, again of its ineffable Talking Heads and its progenitor David Byrne, flows wonderfully, once passed through the icon mill. These African rhythms, these haunting percussions, this Western and African alloy are most enjoyable. Another highlight of the evening, with this phrase on a loop: Same as It Ever Was.
One Africa (Cha-Cha Independence) is a derivative of the eponymous dance. We spot ingredients from the jùjú music of King Sunny Adé, with the trance effect that emanates from it. She sang it in memory of Cameroonian Manu Dibango.
Then she invites on stage… Zachary Richard! Who sings the chorus of The tree is in its leaves (marilon, marilé), to the sound of congas. A sort of cry from the preacher which gives a beautiful tandem with the French woman of African origin.
Meant for Me is an opportunity to push the note in English. The arrangements are a bit conventional in this globalist pop, but find their salvation in the singing to respond intermingled with percussion dynamics which hold the pace.
Choose Love, with its luminous message and unifying chords, brings joy. His good quality guitar solo has its effect!
All these syncopated beats of jazz, funk, salsa and old soul came naturally in addition to West African rhythms. The sounds of Brazil and the Caribbean are never far away.
By drawing on her 16-album discography, we understand why she accumulates Grammy awards.
Afirika, one of his first successes, is sung with all phones deployed to capture the beautiful moment. Myriam Makeba’s little planetary bomb Pata Pata created a beautiful movement of people in front of the stage. The immortal African anthem means touch in the South African Xhosa language.
We have all been affected. Puffs even.
As a reminder, Agolo, another firebrand who puts the banana in your face, is well balanced with admirers who approve before she leaves us with Batonga.
As a curtain raiser, the six musicians of Chanda
