BALVAL

Le Ciel Tout Nu

2011-01-01

Parisian gypsy band Balval )the name means "wind") is held together by lead vocalist Awena Burgess's emotive singing and excellent musicianship, especially from violinist Rosalie Hartog and extending to the rest of the band, including steel drums on a few numbers. The upbeat songs are the opener "Rodipen," "Kames? and "Na Kamav," although if you are patient, you'll be rewarded on initial slower mumbers like "Nina" (listen for the extended steel drum solo) and "La Pluie." The closer, "Cantique," is an intricate song that takes lyrical excerpts out of The Song of Solomon from the Old Testament. "Molin Molette" is a great instrumental (in which the steel drums make another appearance). Emotive -- and exquisite. 1/11 MJVD W-Gypsy

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 04/2009

    BUJU BANTON
    RASTA GOT SOUL

  • reviewed 01/2009

    FEMI KUTI
    Day By Day

  • reviewed 01/2008

    LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
    Ilembe - Honoring Shaka Zulu

  • reviewed 06/2014

    Hollie Cook
    Twice

  • reviewed 03/2009

    Liz Carroll and John Doyle
    Double Play

  • reviewed 06/2005

    Nouvelle Vague
    Nouvelle Vague

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.