beirut is ostensibly the name of an american band
but actually is the recording name used by zach condon
a young american keyboards player who hit the big time
i'd seen reference to this artist in various magazines
mostly connected to big selling world music albums
and also at the centre of some debate about world music
i.e. can an artist with no roots in his chosen music
be considered an authentic proponent of that music
zach seems drawn to an eastern european style of music
a laconic, off-key, off-beat kind of swing-thing
brass used extensively and feet encouraged to move
i took up a position under a tree to the rear of the crowd
really to satisfy my curiosity about this performer
the crowd, also mostly young were well into it
but try as i might i just could not get a connection
so off i went and took up a position very close to the stage
from where i could cast a discerning eye over the proceedings
he certainly did not hold back on the personnel on stage
at one point i counted 13 people on stage including 3 dancers
zach was very much the master of ceremonies seated at the keyboards
he spent a lot of the time pointing, shouting, instructing, noodling
maybe the band was having an off day and needing leadership
but for me it just did not come across as a totally fun-filled event
various members seemed to know they had to appear happy
and they probably got away with a crowd enjoying the moment
dusk was approaching and the worst of the heat of the day was over
which in itself was worth celebrating by having a jig to the music
for me the highlight was when a trio of dancers arrived on stage
and proceeded to impress with their unusual dance steps
nothing so formal as a traditional or ethnic routine
nor as casual as anyone could deliver given the right beat
but a hybrid of raqs sharki and south american samba style movements
in other words lots of hip-shaking and lower body agitation
the crowd lapped it up and joined in as best they could
so it was a very happy crowd by the end of the set
which meant they whooped and hollered for more
and the band duly obliged at least 2 times
i'm sure they put that one down as a success
me - can't remember much at all about the music
images of the main man being the boss man
and 3 young ladies doing a fine dance
so i guess i'm in the opposing camp
whitey boys can't do world music
maybe a bit harsh there
sorry beirut
seen better
