Vieux Farka Toure

Justin Adams & Mauro Durante

Taranta and Pizzica influence blended with trance boogie and ‘desert blues’ to create a heady beat

Thursday 31st October

Firth Hall, University of Sheffield

(In collaboration with University of Sheffield)

The climax to Talking Gigs 10th anniversary year culminated at Firth Hall on Halloween - 31st October. We hosted Justin Adams & Mauro Durante who turned out an immaculate and absorbing performance - see the review below by Olivia Cox.

This was the last of 5 gigs this year, almost all at Firth Hall, starting with the Roma band Ando Glaso Collective, then Cuban cellist Ana Carla Maza, followed by Matchume Zango & Kate Griffin’s band at the Drama Studio, then some Gnawa grooves with Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna Groove and ending with Justin & Mauro.

My thanks to everyone who made the events possible ; Nick potter and the University Concerts team, Talking Gigs volunteers and Sheffield City Council’s Central Local Area Committee who helped fund the social forum of Roma culture and music at the Ando Glaso Collective gig.

Finally, my thanks to everyone who attended the gigs and supported Talking Gigs and a special thanks to those who donated money to help support Assist. Over the 5 gigs donations raised and amazing £1,154.60.

Alasdair Dempster

Taranta and Pizzica influence blended with trance boogie and ‘desert blues’ to create a heady beat.

“Well, that was a great event”, the guys behind me declared at the closing applause. “It was like a podcast and a concert in one!”

For those new to Talking Gigs the first session, aimed at sharing the unique qualities of the musical partnership, can be unexpected. Justin and Mauro, however, were confident and eloquent speakers with a wealth of experience to share and their obvious commitment to their musical journey was infectious. The spoken performance was woven around three tracks from their previous album, Still Moving, (Calling Up; Cupa Cupa; Talassa) and they were clearly excited to be given the opportunity to share both their music and ‘raison d’être’.

Mauro talked about his early desire to play Chopin on the violin, his love of the power of the Tamburello frame drum and taking over the position as leader of the band Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino from his father.

The influence of Justin’s parents’ work in USA, North Africa and Egypt inspired his musical

activism and a preference for the simplicity of the drone. We learnt that their collaboration started over a decade ago at an Italian music festival where their fascination with ancient trance rhythms and the musical drone was key.

Despite their radically different musical backgrounds, Mauro’s Taranta and Pizzica influence (the thrilling folk music of Southern Italy), blended with Justin’s trance boogie and ‘desert blues’ to create a heady beat. So, the second half of the performance which featured their second album ‘Sweet Release’ had the audience on their feet and dancing from the start.

This was an impassioned rendition. The sawing arpeggios of Mauro’s violin, the driving energy of his Neapolitan Tammurriata beat on the Tamburello and his plaintive and haunting vocal style, juxtaposed with Justin’s gritty voice and pulsing rock guitar, evoked ritual and catharsis. Indeed, Mauro had spoken about the power of music to connect community and heal the individual. We were not surprised to experience the pulsating magic of this Halloween performance.

Olivia Cox

The Full set list:

1. Sweet Release

2. Leuca

3. Ghost Train

4. Wa Habib

5. Silver and Stone

6. Aurora

7. Ithaca Return

8. Qui Non Vorrei Morire

9. Tide Keeps Turning

10. Santu Paulu

All photos by Don Murray