Laemouahuma Daniel Jatta plays the akonting, an African instrument that may be a precursor to the banjo. Image courtesy of Chuck Levy
Week 39 (#2001)
The ngoni, the xalam, and the akonting are just three of more than 60 plucked stringed instruments in West Africa that were predecessors of the modern banjo. We follow the migration of the banjo from its roots in Africa to America and onward to Ireland, a unique musical journey. Featuring Rhiannon Giddens, Mick Moloney and more.
I’m On My Way…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)
Ajula/Mbamba…by Béla Fleck and The Jatta Family from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)
Moon Meets the Sun…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)
The Rights of Man/Ya Fama…by Béla Fleck with Harouna Samake, Madou Sanogo and Habib Sangare from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)
Curly Tail…by Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones from Old Tin (Dittyville)
Music and Joy…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)
Up On Flat Top Mountain…by Al Petteway and Amy White from High in the Blue Ridge (AlandAmy.com)
[ID excerpt] There is No Other…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)
The New Irish Barn Dance/Paddy McGinty’s Goat…by The Greenfields of America from The Greenfields of America (Compass)
The Hamars o’ Syradale…by The Chair from The Road to Hammar Junkie (lovethechair.com)
Lumela Lesotho/Kilfenora Jig…by Gerry O’Connor from Time to Time (Mulligan)
Pressed for Time…by We Banjo 3 from Live in Galway (webanjo3.com)
Prettiest Girl in the County…by We Banjo 3 from Gather the Good (webanjo3.com)
The Song of the Banjo…by Alison Brown from The Song of the Banjo (Compass)
Throw Down Your Heart …by Béla Fleck and Toumani Diabaté from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)