Lama Sidibe

Despite touring without major label sponsorship, word of mouth among the African community in New York brought out a packed house for Guinean griot Lama Sidibe.  We saw him on the first stop of his U.S. tour.  He is also currently recording an album here in New York with the musicians he is touring with.  

The concert took place at the Ethical Culture Society in Manhattan.  The concert began late with the band performing instrumentals to warm up the crowd.  The energy has already built as Lama Sidibe sang his first notes from behind the stage to the ecstatic crowd. 

 
   

 
   
The crowd went wild as Lama Sidibe took the stage and sprayed the group with fist fulls of money.  We had not previously witnessed so much money thrown at an artists during one performance.  
   

 
   
Indeed, one fan even constructed a coat out of dollar bills which he wore for a portion of the performance.  
   

 
   
For those who have not witnessed him either in concert or on disc, Sidibe sings with a rawness and passion that conveys the song's message without knowledge of the language.  
   

 
   
Sidibe was accompanied by two Guinean musicians, on percussion and woodwinds and guitar and traditional strings as well as a guitarist, two female vocalists and a drummer.  
   
   

 

 

 
   
All I can say is that before the night was over, the barrier between audience and artist had completely broken down and the stage had become a dance floor.   
   

 

Lama Sidibe, relaxed backstage prior to the show

  
   

 
   

 

Lama Sidibe the evening's main attraction