And now for something completely different
Have the terrorists won when decent, hard-working blogettes have to hand over their favorite Shiseido liquid gloss over to airport security? It’s so wrong. And un-American.
So to soothe the agony of seeing a perfect set of makeup thrown into a garbage bag-lined barrel by unsympathetic TSA agents, this blogette finally settled to listen to Gigi’s new album, Gold and Wax. Her last album, Gigi, was nothing short of sensational. Gud Fella and Zomiye.. hair… back… straight. ‘Nuff said.
So, what the hell happened to Gold and Wax? First of all, Gold and Wax? Was the title an attempt at nuance? Wax and Gold, only hipper?
Camp much?
Track after track was a massive disappointment, and incase you’re thinking, “It’s Gigi. Dim the lights, already” in preparation of having your, um, gold waxed? Ehhhh… Not so fast, Poindexter. There’s a deeply religious song embedded in there that will unexpectedly kill off whatever freak you managed to get on.
As for the remorselessly gaudy album cover. Seriously, is it 1983 all over again? Didn’t somebody ban jerry curls from our cultural cosmos?
On the other hand, I had to wrestle the only copy of Wuddase in the house by feigning a hormonal attack. Finally sat down to listen to it while Continental Airlines cancelled two and a half flights. I think I am loving this album, even though I have not yet found anyone who can do Ethio-jazz as well as Mulatu Astatke. These guys come the closest. It helped me say goodbye to some damn good makeup. I am loving this album. And someone tell Gigi's handlers what a great album cover should look like.
Could someone have warned me about a movie called “Yemyderq enba”? Anyone? Anyone thought to spare me a few cholesterol points? I am all for encouraging Ethiopian filmmakers, but someone’s nose hairs need to be plucked out one by one for this travesty. Who's going to dry my friggin' tears?
In the ferenjie music, the Foo Fighters were on the Tonight Show and, man, can they still rock. Why were the 90s still the best decade for American music? Also, I wanted not to like K.T. Tunstall, but, alas, I do. As always, Death Cab for Cutie… what can you say about DCFC? Everything music and lyrics should be.
What’s everyone listening to? Any good movies?
Have a great Labor Day!
posted by ET Wonqette at Saturday, September 02, 2006
7 Comments:
Hi Wonqittu,
You should listen to Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou...I read about her on another Ethio blog - I forget which one - sample the music - read her story too if you can find it. http://www.emusic.com/album/10906/10906368.html
What else, what else?...Yes get and see V for Vendetta (it was nothing like what I expected - excellent movie), also see The revolution will not be televised (see it again if you have seen it before, now available on Google Video) - a lot to learn here. And finally Tsotsi was good but Malena (2000) is really worth seeing if you haven't seen it.
It is good to have back.
Selam Wonqittu,
I liked Wudasse's album as well.
For the movies, I would recommend Tsotsi - a South African Ghetto reality film. I noticed Zegabi has recommended it as well. I enjoyed watching Ahista Ahista (Indian).
And in the music world, check out Corinne Bailey Rae.
"jump to addis" on ethiopiques. wicked good.
wuddasse: what they don't make up in complexity they make up for in rythm.
Find "Madingo Afework" and listen to him--Ethiopian, of course. Don't get frikish ideas with his "first" name. It's given to him by someone b/se he is a darker complexion. Listen to his rendition of Tizita (track 4) and I like the "sem ena worq" of track 5--Mahlet. One of the best albums of the past few years--in other words one of those albums overshadowed by the one and only Teddy Afro. Folks, find Zeritu, FikerAddis (esp. the last album), Tamirat....
Find "Cafe on the Nile" a novel with some Ethiopian element in it during Fascism.
Selam Lehulum,
Live and Become a magnificent, epic story of an Ethiopian boy who is airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel in 1984 during Operation Moses. Although he grows up and thrives as an adoptive son of a loving family, he is plagued by two big secrets: He is neither a Jew nor an orphan, just an African boy who survived.
Should be available in video and DVD.
This entry is a travesty!
I forgive you for thinking the 90’s were the best decade for American music. You were probably not around in the 60s. Clapton, Dylan, Beatles, Rolling Stones ….the list is endless. In 2012 you may hear people say the decade we are in now was the best in music history. Then you will know how I feel.
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