Good readings on West African music and art

[Brian Lynch]

can anyone suggest some good books on west africa music and art

[Michel]

Eric Charry's 'Mande Music' is my bible. And when you search for it on Amazon they will give you enough other ideas to read for the next year! Have fun.

Michel

[Brian Lynch]

thanks man, thats the one ive bin looking for. i read alittle of it a few years ago, it only came to mind the other day. cheers.

[Waraba]

can anyone suggest some good books on west africa music and art

Here's the one that really helped me with social mores within and outside the musical framework before I went to Mali, and proved valuable:

African Rhythms and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms, by John Miller Chernoff.

There's The Healing Drum by Ya Ya Diallo and Mitchel Hall, memoir of a Malian drummer

And, though it is anthropology not music per se, you will be glad to have read, if you can find it, Adventures in a Mud Hut by Nigel Barley.

[Waraba]

can anyone suggest some good books on west africa music and art

Oh, and then there's, In Griot Time by Banning Eyre.

[michi]

Griots and Griottes is also well worth reading.

Cheers,

Michi.