[FA Worldmusic] WOMEX and free Amina concert at Joe's Pub tonight

[Ian Menzies]

>Would love to get people's impressions of WOMEX this year

As per the sound - while the overall quality was a bit dodgy, I was OK with
it except for in the big room. They clearly need to find another space for
that big stage next year. I think the answer could be another tent - perhaps
erected between the two main conference halls. 

An attempt was made to soften up the big room by Saturday night (some sort
of rubber flooring material), but it was only marginally helpful and I must
say, I am surprised someone didn't realize the minute they walked into that
echo chamber of the gods, that they were going to have some really big
problems getting it to sound any good.   

I didn't see all the showcases to be sure, but found the overall quality of
what I did see to be a bit hot and cold. Of what I did catch a few of the
stand-outs for me were:

- Darko Rundek
- X Alphonso (great visuals that were actually synchronized with the show!) 
- Orange Blossom
- Tcheka
- And for shear virtuosic playing ability Hamilton de Holanda

I also really liked one of the replacement acts that played in the soft
seater. An 8 piece that sat in a semi circle and had an older guy who got up
and danced a couple of times - I think they were from Georgia. Can anyone
tell me who they were?
 
The trade floor lay out there is excellent (food at the onsite cafi very
so-so and expensive) and I was very pleased with the turn out we got for the
NA networking meeting, so all in all a good trip for me and I am looking
forward to going there for the next two years (some great dinning
experiences off WOMEX this year)....they do need to do something about
ground trans to and from down town though.
Ian