Wall of Sound

WOMAD 1

The Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel from Rajasthan starts with the red curtains drawn over 36 tantalising cubicles. Then the bare bulbs around one cubicle light up, the curtains are drawn back and one voice sings. The bulbs around another cubicle light, the curtains are drawn back and a second voice sings.

As voices, drums, pipes and strings are added, the curtains gradually open. When a musician plays, he is illuminated. When he stops the lights dim. Over an hour, all 43 musicians are drawn in by the whirling, dancing man in front with castanets he can play faster than the speed of sound.

Seduction is exactly the right word.

I was consumed by this on the first evening of WOMAD, agape, transfixed, standing next to Folkie who is just as wonderful as her photos. What a treat to meet her! What a total treat of an evening!