Sona Jobarteh & Band - Mamamuso

Sona Jobarteh performed in Weimar on invitation of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar and its UNESCO Chair of Transcultural Music Studies (TMS). The TMS Chair regularly invites artists to bring the musicology students into contact with various musical cultures for inspiration and exchange.

Sona Jobarteh is the first female Kora virtuoso to come from a west African Griot family. The Kora is one of the most important instruments belonging to the Manding peoples of West Africa (Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau). It belongs exclusively to griot families, and usually only men who are born into these families have the right to take up the instrument professionally. Sona Jobarteh combines various genres of African Music and western musical elements.

Sonah Jobarteh – Acoustic Guitar/ Kora/ Vocals
Maurice Brown – Acoustic Guitar
Andi McLean – Electric Bass/ BVs
Mouhamadou Sarr – Djembe/ Congas/ Calabash/ BVs

Recorded on 1 July 2015 at the "mon ami", Weimar.

[czarinagutierrez]

"Mama, musuow" (Mama, it's scary (to me)) talkin' 'bout things I don't want to talk about unless someone else initiates the topic; the opening of the song is the song of a sensitive heart, like a very young child, the literal plucking of heart-strings; later, you can hear the tension and stress in her voice; then the pitter patter of a skipping heartbeat racing on speed; then the adrenaline of running away sprinting, or jogging religiously at a steady pace; there's a moment when her voice breaks, and the pummeling and pounding of the bass percussionista to indicate the gentle and firm release of tension's adrenaline in the pound of a fist or open palm on a drum or in the stirring of the cold night air with the closed fist or open palm in the flowing sound of the Kora and in the Southeast Asian Dance; the heartbeat speeds up and becomes the snapping and crackling of a brittle thin plastic vessel exposed to the elements and extreme changes from hot to cold, literally crumbling with the passage of long time exposure; "koomoonah" is a sound that begins to calm the adrenaline with this naturally soothing sound reminiscent of sleeping covered in a cocoon or fluffy cloud of a comforter or warm voluminous duvet while still peppered with the percussionistas' indication of a fast-racing beating heart - yes, like the heart beating under a veil of flesh and clavicle and epidermis - possibly a strong rendition of how differently at different times we respond to fear - my heart is "verklempt" just thinking about "what I fear" and turns to what feels like stone or clay left to dry and harden at room temperature...at this point, tears are the only recourse for my soul, and I contemplate the witness of what I fear in my heart I am stone, numb, dead and at times fearful with both dread and wonder inside - the only relief is tears to release the tension and restore me to some form of peaceful life again it's cathartic

[PrashanthKonaje]

I accidentally cane across songs by Sona and i am simply blown away by the melody and beats. I may not understand a single word in this song but it is so heart warming and soul touching that i keep listening to this artist. Simply beautiful voice and music. Just love it.

[paulynaal-said]

Since, the day I saw you
I felt like I already knew you
One minute was enough and I already felt I love you
Suddenly you say things that simply blow my mind
But you're always present
Even though I can not see you
We are almost crazy
From day to day I became your mega fan
You are already my favorite person
Every minute by your side is great
And there is nothing in the world
Love you more than being with you
Every moment you make it special
You are my favorite person
And although I'm not always saying it
It's a good time to tell you that I love you
I love you I love you and always will be like that
I believe that whatever happens and time passes
Even if it rains or thunders it will never happen ours
At least that one hundred
We are almost crazy
From day to day I became your mega fan
You are already my favorite person
Every minute by your side is great
And there is no one in the world
Love you more than being with you
Every moment you make it special
You are my favorite person
And although I'm not always saying it
It's a good time to tell you that I love you
Tell you I love you
You appeared just
When I was ready to love you
And after all I went to find you and you're my favorite person
Every minute by your side is great
And there is no one in the world dumb
Love you more than being with you
Every moment you make it special
You are my favorite person
And although I'm not always saying it
It's a good time to tell you that I love you
I love you, I love you and always will be like this
And always will be and always will

[lafonmbincar]

A lot of people including myself got too much love for you. Keep doing your thing beautiful lady . U are a blessing.

[angelaunique]

This may very well be the most beautiful song I have ever heard.

[yldztunuslu]

Müzik doğruca ruha seslenir, ruh da kendisini ancak müzik yardımıyla en iyi şekilde anlatabilir.

Goethe

[jump.m]

She is paying an instrument that is reserved for men in mandingo society but am proud of her... I think she is the first

[ukrainian]

With love from Ukraine. Very beautiful and peaceful, soul singing

[eugenefoley]

Life changing. The drummer is off the end of the scale. I am blown out. Thank you!.

[nadianeri]

Io italiana amo la musica di questa grandissima artista..lei è patrimonio dell'umanità..

[shandizuribe]

she has a special place in my heart because she speaks and plays through her heart

[yankubafatty]

Hi sona jobarteh we gambians we always loving you🇬🇲🙏🙏🙏🤲

[lindsayrangapanaiken]

Music has been my passion since the 70's..rock, soul, pop, reggae, classic n prog, then my favourite..THE BLUES..also Jazz n classical.then with the advent of world music, nomad, Buena Vista, Putumayo bur this LADY Sona gave me a burst
Like a whiplash..sends me to heaven..thank you young n gorgeous Afican Queen Sona..

[mayavebiz]

I don't know what you're saying but it touches my heart. Loves from Turkey.

[miguelblanes]

Hi from Spain. I love 5:43 this ong too. Es precioso este ritmo africano y la hermosa voz de Sona. Me encanta la música del kora.

[rachelabee]

I love this song .. I dont understand mandinka but I like the lyrics im sure it is really poetry for my ears.

[sedailman]

So much love from Turkey! This is such a smooth masterpiece... ❤

[rhmtmd]

So peaceful. What a wonderful song. What a wonderful voice. Love and greetings from Turkey.

[AdJam]

My God, what a talent and gift Sona has been blessed with🙏🏾🙌🏾👏🏿👏🏿

[CarlSanchious]

Yeah Beethoven string quartets are rather enjoyable to listen to but this ensemble of strings, drums and voice find their way into the shape of some serious, original, traditional West African classical music ❤