an interesting writeup in the womadelaide program for this group
essentially one performer named mehdi haddab on an amplified oud
the oud being an ancient intrument of middle eastern origin
this man has effectively turned this fretless lute into a lead guitar
alongside him on stage is a chap playing a standard electric bass guitar
there's a percussionist seated stage right armed with a djembe drum
at the back of the stage is a lady noodling away on a laptop
it's a big, heavy, rock-oriented sound that they are making
much closer to led zeppelin than any traditional oud music
reminding me of a performance from a fellow algerian several years back
in that case rachid taha rocked it out also with a big amplified sound
he as lead singer adding his very masculine vocals to the mix
the music of speed caravan lacking vocals but otherwise similar
the clever name itself suggesting a twist to a known tradition
these days most of the music i witness would be androgynous
very non-gender specific in composition, performance and delivery
however witnessing speed caravan had me thinking otherwise
the bass player cutting an intimidating presence with his style
not only looking like someone not to be messed with
but playing his bass with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer
pounding out rhythms and poses in no uncertain manner
what really confused me was the person at the back of the stage
the sound and music of speed caravan close to standard rock fare
so seeing a laptop instead of a drumkit on stage was quite odd
and not entirely sure what sounds the laptop was generating
though presumably responsible for various percussive sounds in the mix
but with the big meaty bass and the very loud oud not much else was heard
the tunes continued to be rolled out but not much change in delivery
thudding bass, clever lead guitar/oud player, big rock poses and volume
there is only so much that can be done with their approach to music
with limited vocals and an intention to bludgeon people with noise
i sensed that the large audience in the late afternoon didn't mind
certainly a lot of people seen to be getting into the groove physically
and like me also kind of appreciating this new sound coming to us
the oud by nature making a guitar sound with a difference
but for me just too close to cock-rock for my liking
good to see another variation on world music
though probably not something for oud lovers
just a bit far removed from it's natural sound
still - good to see and hear - now - moving on
