KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: Ghanian Master Drummer, S. Kwaku Daddy

Analog Audio


Event Type
Interview and Music
Origin
KPFA
Identifier
MC.1991.02.15
Program Series
Morning Concert
Program Length
69 min
Dates
1991-02-15 | broadcast
| 1991-02-15 | created
Description
This program was recorded on February 15, 1991, when both the Persian Gulf War and KPFA’s Spring Pledge Drive were just gaining steam. However, nestled amongst the war reports and pleas for pledges, Charles Amirkhanian finds the time to interview Ghanian master drummer, S. Kwaku Daddy about his album “Life Rhythms.” Daddy, who was currently living in Northern California, tells the story behind a number of his songs, and also performs one piece live in the studio, once enough callers had called in to pledge to the radio station. Born to a musical family, Daddy began drumming when he was two years old, and perhaps in response to being so early immersed in music, he has developed a keen interest in making music for and with youths, including a collaboration with a local youth symphony. During this lighthearted yet informative interview, Daddy discusses his career and translates many of the lyrics to his song from their original language of Ga, thus enhancing the listeners enjoyment of these engagingly polyrhythmic pieces.
Genres
World music
Musical Selections
Yesu (”The Lord”) (6:27) -- Milee Yookoo Ee (”The Unknown Woman”) (5:38) -- Drums To Soothe The Mind (2:45) -- Africa Ee (”Calling Africa”) [excerpt] (1:08) -- Eekoo (”One”) [excerpt] (0:50) -- Koofeefeo (”The Beautiful Forest”) [excerpt] (0:14)
Performers
S, Daddy Kwaku, percussion and voice (all)
Subjects
World music
Music -- Africa, West
Persian Gulf War, 1991
Acknowledgment
Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts.