 Djabe - Unplugged at the New Orleans
Released in 2003
In 2002 Djabe gave concerts on various topics at the
New Orleans Music Club in a way that on each night the program was totally
different. Altogether the band played more then seven hours (!) of different
tunes. On the last two nights unplugged concerts were held. Said Tichiti,
the Moroccan musician who played on the Update album, joined the gig on
the 19 of November.
The tracks on the CD covers the full career of the band
from the first record of Djabe released in 1996, to Sheafs are dancing,
as well as new adaptations and music tunes which have not been played at
concerts - lasting in total more than two hours.
The first enhanced CD includes a 14 minutes video from
the first performance of the six-member lime-up of Djabe, recorded in the
Vasas Sportshall, Budapest in 2001.
Besides the video a full band biography and discography
can be found also on the enhanced CD. The visitors of the Unplugged concerts
can recall the concerts with a photo album, which contains 50 pictures.
This unplugged album is more word than jazz music
again, and was nominated to the “Best Hungarian
world music album of the year”.
"I am convinced that one who sits down to listen
to a Djabe CD with the expectation of hearing a very
special and unique musical experience has never been
let down. We would think that they have already shown
everything that could be known about the music of the
XXI. Century, and that it could not be further improved
upon, but they proved us wrong with their Unplugged
at the New Orleans double record. Unplugged is a cruel
genre as there is no possibility to cover mistakes,
contingencies with technical tricks. However, this
is not necessary at these concerts.
The musicians prove individually that they are in perfect
harmony with their instruments and together the performance
is more than simply a summary of pieces. This "chamber" concert
has proved that the band is on the right track when
it integrated new members in 2001. With this new line-up
Djabe managed to bring new sounds even into those compositions,
which can probably be heard at every concert. The aim,
which was to sound their musical ideas live, and also,
to those which were already set at that time, was surely
reached with this record.
In our musical life where there are crowds of groups
being formed with only business intentions in mind,
it is rare, but I hope despite all appearances, not
unique what Djabe represents. Not being distracted
by fashion, they are going forward on the road they
have started, and on which expressions are sign posted
such as quality, humbleness towards music, endless
preciseness and spontaneity based on sheer hard work.
Only those who are completely sure in their own performance
can afford to work together with such different music
characters as Steve Hackett, Ben Castle or Said Tichiti,
making it authentic for the audience what they do on
stage. It is not without danger when a band is so consequent
in following their set aims, but I hope that the stratum,
which recognizes and expects quality, within the audience
has become stronger, and I am convinced that Djabe
has taken a big part in making this happen."
Neltz
János/Hungarian Radio
Djabe releases can be ordered from the new Djabe Webhop:
http://djabe.hu/en/uzlet/
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