Giselle Campbell
Staff Writer
“Welcome to the desert,” the Temple Bar announcer said. Five men walked onstage carrying their instruments: three electric guitars, one bass and a hand drum.
Each man was clad in traditional robes, face fully covered under turbans worn for protection from harsh desert winds.
On Saturday, the Temple Bar in Santa Monica hosted Tinariwen, a critically acclaimed band from the West African nation of Mali.
Tinariwen was formed in a refugee camp in Libya 20 years ago, and has become well-known around the world for its blending of traditional Touareg songs with what is best described as “Malian blues,” a sort of guitar rhythm and strumming style not unlike the blues of the American South.
“They are very popular in France, as is African music in general. That’s why I’ve come to see them,” Carol de la Cruz, a French woman in the audience said.
The resulting sound is unlike anything else in the international music scene.
It’s a mix of African and blues rhythms, played on top of Arabic-style hand drumming.
“It was kind of outlandish. Something you wouldn’t see everyday,” Franck de Girolami, an audience member, said.
“Bon soir,” the lead singer, Hassan, greeted the audience before the first song.
He sang in a mix of the Touareg language, Tamashek, and French, a language widely spoken in Mali.
Although the language and tone of the the music are not something that the Western world is accustomed to, Tinariwen presents a unique and diverse sound.
The audience was nothing short of mesmerized as the lengthy, haunting but upbeat melodies continued throughout the night.
Audience members were encouraged to dance by the lead guitarist, an older man with a face weathered far beyond his years.
Tinariwen lists its musical idols as Jimi Hendrix and Ali Farka Touré, a multiple Grammy-winning Malian bluesman who died last year.
“I really had no idea what to expect once I saw them live. I just heard them once, and decided to come check it out for myself,” Chris Rodriguez, an attendee, said.
Tinariwen, which means “desert” in Tamashek, has had a long journey to reach the level of recognition it has achieved today.
Not long ago, each member was a rebel soldier in the war between Touareg tribes and the country of Mali.
It’s reported that there are 17 bullet wounds between them.
While in exile in a refugee camp, the men decided to cease fighting and put their efforts into music, the main form of recreation among the Touareg tribes of West Africa.
Watching the group perform, it’s clear to the audience that the men are doing something they really enjoy.
In their latest widely praised album, “Aman Iman,” or “Water is Life,” the band addresses many of the social and economic problems of their people who are scattered throughout the deserts of West Africa.
Audience members were entertained and simultaneously inspired by the band’s music and personal stories.
“You have these people come from one of the poorest parts of the world, not only economically, but also geographically, socially and politically.
They came to one of the richest neighborhoods, in the richest part of the world and played their music. That’s interesting,” De Girolami said.
Giselle Campbell can be reached at gcampbell@ulv.edu.
