We're about 14 days and 10 shows into our 7 weeks / 28 shows tour. We've covered Montana, Washington, Oregon and part of California so far. What a rich, magical memory this will all be!
Stella Chiweshe is a stunning and dynamic presence playing the sacred MBIRA of Zimbabwe. Dressed in bright, beaded or stark colored gowns, she creates a hypnotic and rhythmic atmosphere seated among her accompanying mbira and percussion players. Haunting vocal chants fly and waver as spontaneous dance explodes, all the while the mbiras constant song ripples and flows, each song in shona, the ancestral language. Although it is entertaining to witness, each performance is a spiritual experience very much respected by Stella, "Ambya" as she is affectionately called, and the African musicians. There is a gentle, spiritual aura about them all, even off stage.
Susana Baca's set celebrates the joyous combustion of Afro-Peruvian soul with Spanish guitar and lyrics, and native percussion. Not to be mistaken with the airy Andes Mountains sound, her MUY HOT mini orchestra from Lima lays a rhythmic melodic vocal ground beneath her floating but fiery dancing voice and bare feet. I don't think it has mattered to an audience yet if they haven't understood any words to this point.
Marvin, Chip and I are trying our best to follow these world class divas. Our 30 minute set visits landscapes and vistas of my ancestral southwest Americana through stories, language, and instrumentation. Marvin has brought his acoustic guitars, mandolin, and charango; Chip, the keyboard (unless we score a grand piano) and the internationally friendly accordion. (He also packed a lapsteel for the occasional spontaneous bus jam.)
We all converge on stage for a finale that weaves every voice and instrument in a world best farewell.
Seeing myself surrounded by the wild array of humanity this tour has brought together leaves me feeling really just happy to be apart of such a wonderful journey.
I sure hope everyone tries to catch one of the shows on our stops across America. I look forward to seeing you there.
Tish
