2011.09.22: September 22, 2011: Mali RPCV Adam Klein returned to the African nation where he served as a volunteer to produce an album set to be released later this year

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Mali: Peace Corps Mali : Peace Corps Mali: Newest Stories: 2011.09.22: September 22, 2011: Mali RPCV Adam Klein returned to the African nation where he served as a volunteer to produce an album set to be released later this year

By Admin1 (admin) (70.254.224.177) on Saturday, October 08, 2011 - 11:44 am: Edit Post

Mali RPCV Adam Klein returned to the African nation where he served as a volunteer to produce an album set to be released later this year

Mali RPCV Adam Klein returned to the African nation where he served as a volunteer to produce an album set to be released later this year

"I remember thinking I was letting go of myself, letting go of any certainties I had," he said. "Letting go of any adult identity I had at that point because I knew I was entering a new culture and I was going to show up and practically be like a baby." From that initial experience with the Peace Corps, the singer-songwriter returned to the African nation to produce an album set to be released later this year. "I feel very fortunate to have been in Mali because I fell in love with the place and it has become a very important part of my life," Klein said. While recording, Klein brought along Jason Miller - who is set to release a documentary of the journey. The entire album was made in the native Mande style of music, which is tribal and rustic; and a majority of the songs will be performed in the African language Bambara, with a few songs in English. "I wanted to try my best to blend the music that I have done [in Athens] and present my attempt at the very rootsy and acoustic Mande music," Klein said.

Mali RPCV Adam Klein returned to the African nation where he served as a volunteer to produce an album set to be released later this year

Musician moves to Mali to make music: ‘it feels to me like a first album' (w/audio)

By WIL PETTY on September 22, 2011

Adam Klein had to let go when the plane landed in Bamako, Mali.

Adam Klein had to move across the ocean, to Africa, to reinvigorate his music. Courtesy Adam Klein

"I remember thinking I was letting go of myself, letting go of any certainties I had," he said. "Letting go of any adult identity I had at that point because I knew I was entering a new culture and I was going to show up and practically be like a baby."

From that initial experience with the Peace Corps, the singer-songwriter returned to the African nation to produce an album set to be released later this year.

"I feel very fortunate to have been in Mali because I fell in love with the place and it has become a very important part of my life," Klein said.

While recording, Klein brought along Jason Miller - who is set to release a documentary of the journey.

The entire album was made in the native Mande style of music, which is tribal and rustic; and a majority of the songs will be performed in the African language Bambara, with a few songs in English.

"I wanted to try my best to blend the music that I have done [in Athens] and present my attempt at the very rootsy and acoustic Mande music," Klein said.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Mande can be done in many ways, as it is a style that has progressed over the centuries.

Klein, in an attempt to capture some part of that, brought in Malian musicians to fully get an authentic sound to his songs.

"I wanted [the album] to be shaped by the players and musicians," he said. "I wanted to have the Malian players and their reactions to the songs. In some ways it feels to me like a first album, because it is my first experience recording Mande music, and certainly recording an album in Mali."

Klein only had a couple days to record the songs, but the artists were able to cope with the fast schedule.

To add to the difficulties, the first studio that Klein had planned to record the album in had already fallen through.

Also, the production of the album was done fast, requiring Klein to get an Athens producer to re-master the album.

"They were very fast there," he said. "It really is instinctual - they come up with the part on the spot. It was kind of mind-blowing to me, because I thought they did some really neat stuff."

Not all of the songs Klein wrote in Mali made it onto the album, however: some have made it into his other projects, but this does not mean these songs will never see the light of day.

"These songs are still getting revisited," he said. "They didn't make it on the first album or the second or third. But they are still there. If I feel they are a quality and fit with a certain set of songs, I'm willing to go back to them even if it's something I wrote in 2003 or 2004."

Though Klein had to let go after the flight to Bamako, what he gained long term was something more valuable.

"It wasn't forgetting everything," he said. "[It was] allowing myself to enter that new space in a childlike way and be open to learning and receiving and to sharing and to not be frustrated to the challenges that would arise."

ADAM KLEIN AND THE WILD FIRES

Where: Melting Point

When: 8 p.m.

Price: $5 (adv.), $7 (door)




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2011; Peace Corps Mali; Directory of Mali RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mali RPCVs; Music; Return to our Country of Service - Mali





When this story was posted in October 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed

 Site Index Search PCOL with Google Contact PCOL Recent Posts Bulletin Board Open Discussion RPCV Directory Register

Who Were the First Volunteers? Date: September 14 2011 No: 1536 Who Were the First Volunteers?
As the Peace Corps prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, members of Colombia I say the agency's account of its early history is flawed. Although the Peace Corps' web site proclaims that the first group of volunteers were members of Ghana I, Colombia RPCV Ronald A. Schwartz writes that the first Peace Corps volunteers were, in fact, members of Colombia I and asks that the agency correct the historical record. Also read the essay by Ghana RPCV Bob Klein on Peace Corps Online about Ghana I - the first volunteers to arrive at their country of service.

Peace Corps Featured at Smithsonian Date: July 15 2011 No: 1527 Peace Corps Featured at Smithsonian
Take a look at our photo essay of Peace Corps' featured program at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC to see how the festival showcased the work of Peace Corps volunteers in economic development and income generation; ways volunteers have helped support local groups to help educate communities; and food and cooking traditions that have played a role in the Peace Corps experience. New: Enjoy photos from the second week of the exposition.

May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House Date: May 26 2011 No: 1522 May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House
The RPCV in the White House 8 Apr
Peace Corps Recruiter Remembers Thomas Maresco 2 Mar
Robbie Schwartz writes: How would my life have been different? 2 Mar
Rajiv Joseph is a fresh and compelling voice in theater 5 Mar
Robert Textor Releases Peace Corps Classic 13 Mar
Chris Matthews writes: What's the Real Mission In Libya? 22 Mar
Peace Corps Faces Budget Ax in FY2012 23 Mar
Brendan Moroso writes: Revolution comes to North Africa 23 Mar
Jessica Moon Bernstein has exhibition "Ourrubberos" 26 Mar
Joshua Stern Founds Envaya to Provide Interent Access 26 Mar
Richard Sitler Photographs PCVs around the world 27 Mar
Scott Lacy is Executive Director of African Sky 29 Mar
American Sailor Accused of Raping PCV in Uganda 24 Apr
Scott Koepke Shares his Love for Dirt 26 Apr
Jane Wolkowicz tried to be Strict Vegetarian in Kazakhstan 27 Apr
George Packer Writes: Bin Laden: Better Late Than Never 2 May
Clare Major Screens Film "Feast & Sacrifice" 4 May
Steve Kruse and Salifu Mansaray met 40 years ago 4 May
SuZanne Kimbrell Rocks in Dallas 12 May
Nancy Sathre-Vogel writes:A Long Path to Nowhere 15 May
Gal Beckerman writes: What is Peace Corps for? 15 May
Katie Dyer Founded Fair Trade Folk Art Gallery 17 May
Henry Wilhelm Honored for his Photography 25 May

Congressional Hearings on Sexual Assault Date: June 3 2011 No: 1523 Congressional Hearings on Sexual Assault
Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of RPCVs on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue. Latest: Background on sexual assault of PCVs.

Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years Date: March 8 2011 No: 1513 Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years
As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest.

How Volunteers Remember Sarge Date: January 18 2011 No: 1487 How Volunteers Remember Sarge
As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."

PCV Murder Investigated Date: January 18 2011 No: 1477 PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 26 2009 No: 1380 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .



Read the stories and leave your comments.








Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Red and Black

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Mali; Music; Return to our Country of Service - Mali

PCOL47434
50


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: