About this episode
As a prelude to the Folk Connections weekend on Radio 3, Michael Berkeley's guest is the world music singer and instrumentalist Baaba Maal. He performs at Glastonbury and Womad, and fills venues like the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall - no surprise there, as Baaba Maal is an international superstar, with 11 albums so far, fusing music from his African roots in Senegal with rock and pop, and collaborating with musicians like Brian Eno. What's surprising, though, is the electrifying effect he has on his audience in places like the Festival Hall - he gets them all up and out of their seats and dancing.
In Private Passions, Baaba Maal tells Michael Berkeley why he has a mission to get everybody on their feet, and how he wants to use his music to change minds and challenge political leaders. He remembers his childhood on the edge of the Sahara Desert, and the songs he learnt from his parents. And he reveals the shock - and excitement - of discovering classical music for the first time, and falling in love with Mozart and Beethoven. Other music choices include Fela Kuti, the Ensemble of Mali, and Miles Davis.
Produced by Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3.
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