In Griot Time by Banning Eyre
A narrative of life among the griot musicians of Mali. Born into families where music and the tradition of griot story-telling are heritages and privileges, the musicians live their lives at the intersection of ancient traditions and the modern entertainment industry.
"Banning's book presents a riveting, richly illustrative and insightful look into his extraordinary seven month journey deep into the heart of Mali's music sceneTo have been accepted both personally and musically is amazing in itself...that he writes about it this well is a revelation. The explosion and popularity and appetite for world music, Banning's book is a one of a kind primer on just how deep the connection runs between West African cultural traditions and nearly all of our Western popular music. I can't remember when a Westerner has been able to dive so deeply into another culture with such soulful results. His adventures inspired me to make my own journey with him to Mali this year...I had to see and hear this extraordinary world for myself." -Bonnie Raitt "Banning Eyre has produced an interesting and moving work which captures the feel and scent of living in an African society the way few travel books ever do. The community of musicians in Bamako comes to life in these pages. Readers who may have heard any of the music which is the book's focus will find Eyre's knowledge and perspective fascinating!" -Bruce Cockburn "Guitarist Banning Eyre, driven by a deep love of Malian guitar and the desire to learn with the masters at the source of the tradition, goes to spend seven months in Mali's capital. There, against the backdrop of some of Africa's most beautiful music, he finds himself in the thick of griot intrigue. An affectionate and gripping account of what makes Mali's most popular musicians tick." -Dr. Lucy Duran, School of Oriental and African Studies, London University "In Griot Time is an extremely engaging, thoroughly well-written description of the exciting and complex modern musical scene of Bamako, Mali. Thanks to Banning Eyre's seven-months' total immersion in this West African society, his sensitive and colorful insights succeed in capturing the essence of that remarkable vibrant culture for his readers in a way that could only be equaled by personal experience." -David C. Conrad, Professor of African History, State University of New York Oswego "The book is an earnest account of Mr. Eyre's seven-month stay in Bamako, Mali, where he had an apprenticeship with the guitarist Djelimady Tounkara." -The New York Times "Part travelogue, part musical master class, Banning Eyre's account of his musical travels in Mali is required reading for anyone that wants to unravel that country's complex musical tapestry... Eyre is one of the leading lights of the Afropop worldwide organization." -Global Rhythm
Banning Eyre writes about international music for the Boston Phoenix. He also comments and reports on music for NPR's All Things Considered and has been published in Billboard, Option, Rhythm Music, The Beat, Guitar Player, and Folk Roots Magazine. He has traveled extensively in Africa and has produced many programs for the public radio series Afropop Worldwide. He is the coauthor (with Sean Barlow) of Afropop! An Illustrated Guide to Contemporary African Music (Chartwell, 1995).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781566397599 |
| ISBN 10 | 1566397596 |
| Title | In Griot Time |
| Author | Banning Eyre |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Temple University Press,U.S. |
| Year published | 2000-04-24 |
| Number of pages | 256 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |