- Title: MALI/FRANCE: Blind couple make their kind of music - Bambara
- Date: 28th April 2000
- Summary: (REUTERS) (PERFORMANCE CLEARANCES FOR RESALE) AMADOU AND MARIAM PERFORMING IN CONCERT PEOPLE DANCING AT CONCERT (REUTERS) AMADOU AND MARIAM WALKING IN PARIS STREET
- Embargoed: 13th May 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS,MALI, AND PARIS, FRANCE,
- City:
- Country: Mali France
- Reuters ID: LVADCM9KVHJGLTV6L89XB814MX0R
- Story Text: This video clip from the song Im thinking of you marks the latest step on a remarkable journey for Malis Amadou and Mariam.
At home in Mali - they call them the blind couple.
Both lost their sight as children - but found each other, love and a shared passion for music.
AMADOU (French)" We get our strength from sharing the same passions.
We love music and its music that brought us together.We complement each other, we love each other - we live together.
Africa Journal caught up with them in Paris - the latest stop on a succesful European tour.
Mariam lost her sight as a 5 year old - after a severe, and untreated, bout of measles.
Amadou lost his sight to cataracts at age 15.
They met in Bamako at an institue for young blind people - the start of a personal odyssey shaped by music.
With the loss of their sight - Amadou and Mariam relied on their ears to experience the world outside - and what they were hearing blew them away.
AMADOU (french) says "We loved listening to music from overseas - American blues and some of the big English stars: Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix.From there we found our own style - bambara - which has links with that music.when we got to France we were finally able to do what we had always wanted to."
In their native Mali - the musical talent is rich and varied- but recording facilities are almost non-existent.
So to pursue their dream Mariam and Amadou left Bamako - and their three children - for the Ivory Coast.
Far from home, and without their children, the couples music turned melancholy - calling on the strongest influences of the American blues.
A Nigerian producer heard what they were doing - and recorded a demo cassette which was to be the launch-pad for their success.
They took the demo back to Mali - where they met a French producer who whisked them to Paris - and the big time.
Two succesful albums later - and this couple now has the pick of the studios - and of the top studio musicians to help them out.
LAURENT GRIFFON, Bassist comments " Its really great.Everyone is free to bring their own vision to the music.This whole mix allows us to get it together really easily and quickly.
It works really well."
Their music appeals on so many levels - the influences are so varied - yet the final product seems greater than the sum of its parts.
Its a musical and cultural kaleidoscope that people seem to love.
JEAN PIERRE SECK , Senegalese Journalist says " I really like the voices - they're beautiful.Theres the mix of styles as well.
This latest album is different from the first one with salsa and rock influences which work well."
MARIE JAOUL DE PONCHEVILLE ,Film Maker says " Its the simplicity of what they say about every day life and simple feelings.
Their personal joy comes through in the music."
AMADOU says "We have chosen this message of love, liberty, justice, understanding and peace.We want to bring people together, show them how to get along, how to work hand-in hand."
Amadou and Mariam are pretty good role models in this regard - overcoming the trials and tribulations of a life lived in darkness - succeeding through determination, passion and their undying love.
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