| Papa Wemba at Bercy, New
Year's Eve 2001 |
| People
came from virtually every corner of the world to witness a New Year's Eve
Event billed as a grand African event, and grand (and in some cases, over
the top) it was except for a very modest crowd which could not adequately
fill Bercy Stadium's cavernous core in Paris. Reports of the event were
quite conflicting, particularly in the days following the show, and for this
reason we at AfricaSounds.com decided to let our heads clear in order to
come up with an adequate way of reporting this event. The most fitting
tribute, we decided, was an archive photo gallery.
All photos below are taken
by Hortense Fuller of AfricaSounds.com, and unauthorized use of photographs
without prior written consent is forbidden. If interested in photos, please contact AfricaSounds.com direct
at
webmaster@africasounds.com
to discuss |
|
| Wendo made a
special and historic performance alongside Papa Wemba |
|
| The
actual concert consisted of several opening acts, particularly interesting
were Congolese diva M'bilia Bel and Petit Pays from Cameroon. The big
show, however, was Papa Wemba's larger than life entourage including
Nouvelle Ecrita, Cour des Grands, his dancing troupes and finally a medley
of gospel singers and leading session musicians. Unfortunately, the
untimely delay of an African fashion show (originally scheduled as an
opening act) meant that festival organizers
re-scheduled it to occur smack in the middle of two sizzling sets by Wemba with Nouvelle Ecrita. A disappointing diversion from some very
interesting musical moments. |
| We were
able to capture shots of Wendo, the legendary father of Congolese music, as
he joined the stage with Papa Wemba. It was a nostalgic and special
moment, which alone made the entire event worthwhile. |
|
| Like many
in the crowd, we were disappointed with several aspects of the show, but
also thrilled to have supported the idea and to have witnessed select
moments from that night which will forever remain in our memory. The
other moments, in the end, will just fade into the past. Thus,
AfricaSounds.com is proud to present a photo gallery of the best moments
from long and diverse night of music, dancing, fashion and culture.
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