You, Me and An Album
On each episode, a guest introduces the host, Al Melchior, to an album they love but that he doesn't know.
You, Me and An Album
Tomas Rodriguez Discusses Toumani Diabaté, Kaira
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On this episode, Brooklyn-based classical guitarist and music educator Tomas Rodriguez introduces Al to Toumani Diabaté’s 1988 album Kaira. Tomas talks about discovering Kaira during a visit to a New York record store and how his eclectic musical upbringing primed him to develop a deep appreciation for this album of Malian kora music. Tomas explains why Kaira is a spiritual album and how it has helped him to stay centered during tumultuous moments. He also discusses how this album influences his own music, and in particular, his latest album Whispered Awakening.
To get Tomas’ music, schedule of live dates and more, please visit his website tomasrodriguez.com/. You can also buy or stream his music on Bandcamp at tomasrodriguez.bandcamp.com/.
You can follow Tomas on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at @tomasrodriguezguitar.
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1:34 Tomas’ introduction
2:18 Tomas recalls when he was first introduced to Kaira and kora music
6:11 Tomas and Al talk about the uniqueness of the kora as an instrument
10:58 Tomas notes how the spirituality of Diabaté’s music drew him in
14:53 It took Al a while to notice the variety across the tracks of the album
17:30 Tomas explains how each track is derived from Malian standards
19:34 Tomas discusses the circularity of Diabaté’s music
22:36 Tomas and Al contrast and compare kora music with blues
24:44 Tomas makes a case for listening to tracks from Kaira as one-offs
26:56 Tomas talks about how Diabaté borrows specific lines from other genres
29:46 Tomas explains how listening to Kaira helps him with his own compositions
30:56 Tomas was influenced by a wide variety of musical genres growing up
33:16 Tomas talks about the tribute to Diabaté he recorded for his new album
40:02 Tomas revisits the lead-up to making Whispered Awakening
43:42 Tomas explains why he founded the Tomas Guitar Studio in Brooklyn and how he uses Kaira in his instruction
48:21 Tomas talks about teaching with Rick Beato’s materials
50:21 Tomas talks about his upcoming shows
Outro music is from “Mélancolie” by Tomas Rodriguez.