-photos by Duncan McNairnay
(more Winnipeg Jazz Festival coverage here)
they get down
through your skin
through your bones
deep in the marrow
it’s cellular
a rub
and tickle
an abrasion
of movement
of cells
that trickles
through
your raining
dripping
flying
sweat pores
it’s raining outside
and inside
they’re in your cells
an abrasion
a cells
abrasion
Toure is
a celebration
come on
feel it
inside your skin
inside bones
in your spine
shaking you up
bringing you down
to the floor
to the stage
to the place
you need to congregate
and meditate
in the hymn
called
Paradise
this song makes me
move in unaccustomed
ways
in the beginning
there
is beat
drum
heart
slowness of riches
to be unveiled
Fafa
let’s go now
dance now
together
men and women
people
of the congregation
the celebration
of Life
(his voice now)
(strings)
(drums,heart,beats)
(bass)
and we’ll make
with the moves
swaying,rolling,soft,sea,waves
our hips
gliding,sliding,shuffling
our feet
hands and fingers casting
shadow plays
come on now and be joyous
dancing children
we once were
swiveling,bouncing,grinding
our delicious derrieres
to the yum,yum
rhythmic
beats
the rhythm
of meditative
movement
Toure
and band
grooving
Waaaaaaa-lay!
slowly building the foundation
of dancing prayer
until
you don’t know
what’s entered you
so deeply
now perfectly
centered
in your
heart
the guts
and the groin
this, is,
m
u
s
i
c
this is dance
this is movement
of the people
Ai Haira
feel it in your marrow
go/go/go
the voices
in your soul
Diaraby Magni
in your rubbing cellular
exponentially
divisions
millions to billions
you’re moving
you’re pouring sweat
it’s so hot inside
so rainy out
Innee
it’s wet
and hard
this dance
is easy to lose
one’s self
in the rhythm to
in the movement of
the groove is
sublime, this perfect love
Walaido
where to go
but flowing in
through the rhythmic
expansions
and
contractions
we’re moving in
unison
to the drums
and guitars
the sticks
on half stones
is it a globe?
is this the world/
we’re dancing in.
Wossoubour
if they see you moving
they’ll play for you
just for you
they’ll celebrate you
Cherie Le
dance inside and outside
let yourself go
so many beautiful songs
from the latest CD
Fondo
(gorgeous music and
just like the live show!)
the set:
Paradise
Fafa
Wale
Ai Haira
Diaraby Magni
Innee
Walaido
Wossoubour
Cherie Le
Bij
Awei Womei
these songs
are the prayers
and hymns
for your soul’s
ecstasy
dance for Toure
celebrate
the gift
under the ceiling fans
it’s so hot inside
so wet and rainy and cold outside
let’s dance
to Toure
and band
and become engulfed
in the salt
of your dancer’s soul
let’s move together
pray together
groove together
and play together
we’re children
when we dance and let go
of our seriousness
smile
we’re at home
in the community
of dancers and players
priests and prayers
there’s a calling
when the music
is
T
o
u
r
e
to the floor
let go,
be free
and feel it
the sweat of it
the love of
Toure
and his magical
band
of traveling players
Pyramid
Jazz Winnipeg
Festival
June 26th
