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Essaouira 2006, Gnaoua Festival, opening day.

Flag Morocco

Thursday, June 22 2006

1 year, 11 months

Essaouira, Morocco

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Manfred is creator of ThisFabTrek.com, travel photography, a travel blog and a photography blog (a journey from 2004 to 2013). 'I set out to see the colors of the world, always I try to capture the colors'.

Seeing, is understanding, so I report and photograph, but formost enjoy and live those different conceptions of life (all that TV [and the web] cannot give). I reject jealousy, animosity, bigotry. Be free!

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The mind, when pondering at night and always asked those questions. What am I doing in corporate wonderland of bank, university, office or church? Who is the other animal asleep deep inside, the thinker, punk, creative, or Indian, vagabond and healer, maybe artist, writer, photographer, traveler, globetrotter? Oh God, dare you to think. When I saw the lies, gambles and manipulations I follow the old dream and set out for the journey of life lived, the journey to see the colors of the world.

During years on the road I have taken the turns as they came along, and realized one thing: Only such a small part of the planet can be explored and such a vast land and sea mass will always remain unknown, to me; many swamps, jungles, deserts and oceans will never be traveled. But then I am father of twin boys, Daniel and David, my most important, and I show them some of the wonders and colors out there.

ThisFabTrek, Photography and Journey, the Stories from the Road and Life around the World, stopped in August 2013 after more than 9 years, Love and Peace.

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www.thisfabtrek.com > journey > africa > morocco > 20060622-essaouira

On our journey back down south ...

Map: Journey Vienna to Essaouira.

... to Bamako, Mali we are in Morocco. Time is on our side, the Festival de Gnaoua et du musique du monde 2006, its 9th edition is about to being staged in Essaouira. Not far away from where Hasnas' large family live.

Essaouira is full of memories - as we have spent a wonderful time here last year just a month after Hasna and I had met.

Last year I made a bit of an effort describing the 2005 festival, the musicians, the instruments and the so wanted fusion thing.

As wannabe photographer then I was stuck with the crowed, with the crazy, the thieves, the faux-guides, and all those who had just come to listen to some of the best World music.

But with the experience gathered from the Mali festivals in Segou and Essakane confidence now is on my side. I step into the press office in Essaouira and demand my badge as a photographer.

And it is quite something taking pictures here - just in front of the stage - only a few metres away from the musique that I fell in love with.

Maâlem Hassan Boussou (Casablanca).

The young are taking over.

Hassan Boussou opening act
Hassan Boussou.
Hassan Boussou opening act
dry but fantastic start.
Hassan Boussou, his Gnaouas
It's really them and their castanets.
Matthieu Michel (Switzerland / trumpet).
Matthieu Michel (Switzerland / trumpet).

Just I don't know why jazzers, foremost the best of the world always hide. Like Michel, sits in front of his mate's drums. Oh yeah, Scott Kinsey (USA / Piano), plays/played with Sting, I rarely get a glimpse of him. This is like an also runs ... / hides behind his piano ...

But the opening act is absolutely fabulous. This is quality stuff, the fusion I have been hoping for is happening, wow! swinging, storming, rocking - all, especially once the Malian balafon joins in ... listened to Gnaoua music for a year, now this is real, mind blowing.

Very promising what may lie ahead these next 4 days

But where is Scott Who ?????????

P.S. 2006/10: Scott Kinsey was of course great. There is a little excerpt on his myspace page of the opening concert. "That's a groove!!!"

Hassan Boussou raising arm.
Hassan Boussou getting ...
Hassan Boussou wide angle shot.
...louder later.

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Maâlem H'mida Boussou.

Interesting page, describing the Gnaoua movement since the times of slavery and H'mida's carreer in particular.

Hmida Boussou.
H'mida Boussou ...
Hmida Boussou.
... has voice.
Hmida Boussou.
Old man ...
Hmida Boussou.
Old man / golden voice man.
Hmida Boussou anD Hassan Boussou.
with his son Hassan.
Hmida Boussou anD Hassan Boussou.
View between monitors - how much closer can I get?

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Stefano Di Battista.

The late night jazz act. Happy to be here! And he explains what might happen (Italiano) "when we mix with the Gnaoua".

Stefano Di Battista from Italy.
Stefano Di Battista, Italy.
Stefano Di Battista from Italy.
awaiting the Gnaouas to join in.
Stefano Di Battista from Italy.
Stefano Di Battista, Hassan Boussou.

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GnaouaS Craze.

Wide angle Gnaoua on stage shot.
Wide angle Gnaoua on stage shot.
Wide angle Gnaoua on stage shot.
Wide angle Gnaoua on stage shot.

www.thisfabtrek.com > journey > africa > morocco > 20060622-essaouira

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