799. Femi Kuti

Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
1995

Tracks
1. Wonder Wonder
2. Survival
3. Frustrations
4. Nawa (Intro)
5. Nawa
6. Plenty Nonsense
7. Stubborn Problems
8. No Shame
9. Live for Today
10. Changes

I have previously listened to albums by Femi Kuti's father, Fela Kuti, which I had completely forgotten. It's so nice having this blog so that I can always look back and see what my opinion on something was, no matter how much embarrassment said opinion causes my present self. 

From what I've read, Femi Kuti seems to be slightly less political than his father in his music, but I could be wrong about that since I don't know the language. I think this is known as Nigerian pidgin English, which isn't the easiest thing for me to understand although I did catch snatches of meaning. I still enjoyed this and I particularly liked the long instrumental bits before the vocals began.

Way to make your father proud Femi Kuti!

RATING: 4/5

365. Zombie

Zombie
Fela Kuti and The Africa '70
1976

Tracks
1. Zombie
2. Mister Follow Follow

Ladies and gentlemen, I have posted twice in one week.  Don't call me a hero.   If you absolutely have to call me that make sure I am within hearing distance.

After a string of great albums, we get to this one, which was somewhat of a dud for me.  Thirty minutes of essentially the same song was a bit tiresome.  However, with an album like this, enjoyment isn't exactly necessary.

This album evidently criticized the Nigerian government heavily (it's a bit hard to divine this meaning after just one listening).  Consequently, Fela Kuti's mother was murdered and his commune was destroyed by Nigerian soldiers.

I didn't enjoy this album.  However, listening to it, and remembering what it cost to make, is an important experience that I think we should all have.

RATING: 3/5

233. Live!

Live! 
Fela Ransome-Kuti and The Africa '70 with Ginger Baker (way too long)
1971

Tracks
1. Let's Start 
2. Black Man's Cry
3. Ye Ye De Smell
4. Egbe Mi O (Carry Me I Want To Die)


First of all, I FINISHED ULYSSES!!!  That was easily the toughest book I have ever read and it was on my to do before I am thirty bucket list (maybe someday I will start a blog on that; you have been warned).  I am really proud of myself.  I absolutely hated it, but I am still counting it as a positive experience.


Sorry, my bookishness is showing.  Actually, it kind of relates to the music blog since the reason I have been listening to so many albums lately is that I have been sitting alone reading (high school all over again).  Anyway, this album was playing during the last chapter so it was kind of my victory music.  It really made me want to dance like they do in West Side Story during the "America" number.  It had some good beats but I can't see ever listening to it again (this seems to be my mantra).  Why am I using so many parentheses?


RATING: 3/5