Acoustic Africa

The interplay b/w Habib & Tuku was funny as hell!!!

What a magical night! Habib Koite and Vusi Mahlasela and the entire band brought such rhythm, talent and joy to the Luckman! I could have listened to them all night. Their music is reminiscent of Ladysmith Black Mambazo but is even better! They should have been performing at a much larger venue so that more people could share in their glorious music! I hope they come back soon!

I have seen hundreds of concerts and I can honestly say that this was the best show of my life. The most pure, soothing, and magical experience. The voices and instrumentals were otherworldly. My spirit and soul felt cleansed, revived, and alive from the very first note. Well worth it on every level. I would see them every time they come to town. You will not be disappointed with this show!

Was amazing! Love Oliver!!! Was a shame that security did not allow people to dance.

I had seen Acoustic Africa in the past at Zellerbach Hall, it was fun and exciting. The performance at the Paramount was very good but felt somehow subdued, I think because dancing was not allowed. It is next to impossible to hear african music and not feel an insatiable urge to get up and dance so that was a bit of a downer. I would recommend the show though, Oliver Mtukudzi was especially entertaining.

Anytime you can go see Habib Koite, do it. His music is fantastic and a he is a great guy.

Acoustic Africa was a great concert--wonderful music, personable artists from West Africa who delighted the crowd with their musicianship, warmth, humor and dancing. Highly recommended--check out youtube clips for live shots of the show from around the world

Acoustic Africa was an unforgettable event with an absolutely magical blend of music from very different regions of Africa. The artists were the consummate performers. However, shame on CIIS for having such an event at the culturally unfriendly Paramount. African music is meant to be moved to, but the Paramount security hampered any expression by the audience of that true connection between the people and the music. I don't blame the Paramount as much as CIIS, an organization that obviously has no understanding of African culture what so ever. The musicians rate a five star, Amazing but I can only give the event four stars overall due to one star for the venue. I will never attend an event at the Paramount again, unless it is classical music or Shakespeare. As for CIIS, I have absolutely no respect for that organization after their failure to find either an appropriate venue or to relax the stuffiness of the Paramount security.

Simply fantastic, especially the final number. Over-the-top rhythm along with beautiful melodies. I'll go again when given the chance

A master piece performance, I really had a BLAST! it would have been even better if it was a different venue where I could stand & dance.

This is not really a get down and dance show but really great guitar playing and performance was great

This was a magical evening. The music was so inspiring and happy. The guitar playing was unbelievable. An absolutely must-see.

Amazing to watch these 3 artists performing together!

This concert transcends like so very few we can attend. The perfoormers simply deliver an experience of Heart ,Humanity, and Joy. Their poly contra rhythmic instrumental brilliance and heartful voices carry us into the core of Happiness and Fun. In this lifetime , an experience like seeing Acoustic Africa is so high and rare All I can say is GO with everyone you love next time they're around!

This was my first time seeing this group and even hearing of it but it was a GREAT! Concert! I don't speak french so I didn't know what they were singing sometime but the music was fantastic. I would go see them any day of the week.

Their music is beautiful, so rich and encompassing. The only thing was that the security did not allow the audience to come forward or get on the stage and kind of ruined the fun. Part of the whole experience is when the audience gets excited and migles with the players, which is what happened in other African music shows I've seen. This time the ushers kept people away at a distance so the blend did not happen.

This was a great show in a great venue. The problem with a show of this type in this venue is there is no place to dance.

Acoustic Africa was a phenomenal event. The artistry and musicianship of the performers was absolutely fantastic. However, I'm not sure Lisner was the best venue for this concert. When people hear Acoustic Africa, we want to DANCE! So when people started filling in the aisles, heading to the stage...to dance to the music, it was completely what I expected. What I didn't expect was the security to chase them away...ALL NIGHT LONG! I got to be kind of funny. I'm sure it was challenging to both the dancers and the seated audience trying to see around them.

Acoustic Africa has become a name for a repeating roadshow much like Bonnaroo or Coachella. The 2011 version features Habib Koite, Oliver Mtukudzi and Afel Bocoum, compared to the 2009 version of Koite, Dobet Gnahore and Vusi Mahlasela. To the extent that it pairs a better-known name, Koite, with lesser-known names, Gnahore or Bocoum, it provides a vehicle for exposing worthy African performers to larger international audiences at bigger venues. This year's version did not disappoint with standing ovations in response to listenable / danceable music from all the performers. The lineup did highlight the difference in style between the music and stage presence of Tuku and Bocoum. Bocoum is more quiet and introspective while Tuku is gregarious and energetic. Together with Koite, they provided an evening of enjoyable modern African music from Mali and Zimbabwe that sent the audience home in a dancing mood.

We traveled to D.C. from NY to hear Habib Koite for the third time . Our first unforgettable performance was in Albany; where we instantly became fans of Habib, the tradition of the griots, and contemporary Malian music. The second (forgettable) performance was in Ithaca, which reminded us that a few talented African guys can't overcome a venue with poor acoustics, poor lighting, and a dispassionate crowd. This performance, our third, captured the magic of our first, with a good venue, good acoustics, inspired musicians, and a fervid crowd. Superstars Oliver Mtukudzi, Afel Bocoumb, and Habib enjoyed themselves, jamming on new material, and playing together on songs written by one of the trio(imagine Glen Frey, Eric CLapton, and Neil Young playing together cooperatively on each others songs....no way!) The experience at this concert was transcendant, as if the entire crowd was together on an oasis in the Africa. The white folks were dancing in the aisles, security guards chased gyrating men and women off the stage, and a great time was had by all.

Great music: complex and layered, so lively it is difficult to sit still. Also, there was no mention of their last cd, they were not promoting anything. Very refreshing.

I've only been to THREE excellent concerts in DC, this was one of them!!! The venue was full, the group was EXCELLENT, the crowd was up dancing the whole time!

The best shows, the best performances and especially the best concerts are those where the artists are enjoying themselves as much as, or more than, their audience. This was the case with Acoustic Africa. The music was wonderful and heartfelt and the perfermaners appeared exuberant. Combine that with a willing audience and the results become dancing in the aisles. This was the case here. Enjoy!

I loved every moment. Great, great musicians! Great, great human beings. I felt welcomed and wish everyone such a wonderful time. I was lucky enough to share concert with family. Thank you. Cyd

Koite and Mtukudzi were out of this world! All three headliners as well as their backup musicians were exciting and wonderful. People were dancing in the aisles! There was no way to possibly sit still with such energizing music coming from the stage! And how unbelievable it was to actually meet them afterwards and get autographs. What gracious guys! A fantastic evening!

Fantastic!! It was pretty good. I think I'll go next year!!

This was an incredible concert. I had seen Habib Koite perform in Namibia in southern Africa, but had never seen Tuku or Bocoum in person. The energy, excitement, and love on the part of the performers and the audience was wonderful. All three - Koite, Tuku, and Boucoum played beautiful mesmorizing guitar solos and duets. Tuku's fellow Zimbabwean musician who played the thumb piano was amazing as well. When he came center stage and danced, the crowd went wild. As well, there were some hilarious verbal exchanges between the musicians. The crowd danced, cheered, and truly appreciated these great performers. I hope that the Lisner will bring more African musicians such as Dobet Gnahore and Vusi Mahlasela.

Outstanding. So much fun! I love all the musicians who performed.

I'm a fan of all the Putumayo series and have all the African CDs, including Tuku Music and Yo Ma. But CDs cannot capture the sizzling nature of the live performance we experienced, with the playful interplay of performers, improvised musical riffs and dances. It was exhilarating to be in the audience and like everyone else, we were up on our feet, clapping and hooting and swaying in time with the music. An amazing lineup of musicians, a wonderful evening of music and high spirits.

Great event. Instead of the tree headlines playing separate shows, they combined their efforts, playing off each other's unique heritage and musical style. Beautiful and high-energy. The crowd was really into it as well, which made the show all the more fun.

This is the second time I've seem Habib Koite, the front liner for Acoustic Africa. These guys truly love their job - you can see that through every song they play. I don't think I've ever seen a more enthusiastic crowd. Security had trouble keeping these folks off the stage! At one point one man ran throughout the auditorium imploring people to "stand and dance!" I do believe he personally got at least half of the crowd on their feet .Go. See. Acoustic. Africa. - You will not be disappointed!

What a great idea to combine the musical talents of Habib Koité, Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, and Afel Bocoum. Each have their own voices and styles, but blend well together. I brought a 10 year old and a 12 year old and they both loved it, too - fun for the whole family! The music is like a flowing river, the acoustic guitars rolled everything along in a mellow way, and the drums and bass got everyone's feet tapping. So nice to hear acoustic instruments, and instruments that are not familiar to most Americans, and singing in languages other than English. And the Paramount theatre is gorgeous! Wonderfully ornate.

An amazing concert that touched my heart and soul, and was just flat out fun!

The performers were amazingly skilled, hilarious, and interactive. One of the best performances I have ever been to.

Amazing, beautiful and energetic!Great for any world music fan!

The harmony of the musicians and their thrill on stage..the interaction with a totally turned on audience...was an unforgettable event! I have enjoyed Habib Koite's music for years and finally having the opportunity to see him on stage with Oliver and Afel who were powerfully inspiring...was a true gift. Got to meet them after the show as well.

The artists played their hearts out but I wanted to hear acoustic guitar music not electric music. Also it would have helped if the singersiles could have been turned up when they spoke to the audience which was eager to know what the songs meant in English. Also I personally wanted to heat much more from Oliver Mtukudzi.

This was an electric concert. People couldn't stay in their seats!

All was good! Oliver was amazing! Enjoyed the night

show was great ..... most importantly, music was simply awesome !!!

Great show! It was absolutely terrific -- made my heart bigger. I loved the blending of West and South African sounds and cultures. The performances were terrific -- I had seen Habib and Oliver separately on several occasions and having them together was genius.

Hands down the best show we've seen this decade. Amazing performers, great venue, magical music!

This was not 3 acts performing separately but 3 established African stars accompanied by other great African musicians. Mali meets Zimbabwe--not to be missed.